Hey, I’m interested in tips/recommendations for improving my shopping experience when going into stores that have loud music playing. I don’t want to be unaware of my surroundings by not being able to hear at all, but the obnoxious levels to which many stores blast their (objectionably atrocious) music (as well as other loud/constant noise that is happening) is almost unbearable to me and really makes me not be able to think straight when I’m in the store. I’ve got my own task list and agenda, and when I can’t think about things clearly it really slows down my whole process.
I’m wondering if any of those decibel reducer ear plugs would be a viable option? I feel like I’ve seen those recommended a few times.
I’ve experimented by wearing noise cancelling earbuds before, which kind of worked, but this presented some level of unawareness that I didn’t like and also seems kind of rude in a way? There’s got to be a better solution.
Thanks for reading.
I mean, if you’re doing your shopping alone and not interfering with anyone else, is it really rude to wear headphones? This is how I do my shopping (NB: I do not have audio stimulation issues)
It’s not like you owe other shoppers any attention beyond basic spatial awareness.
No, objectionably it’s not rude really. It’s just that it feels that way sometimes depending on the situation, for me anyway.
Appreciate the comment.
I do get how you feel about it. But you need and deserve to be comfortable too.
this has been so helpful for me. i am not a fan of grocery shopping with the lights and the crowds. but if i remember to charge my bluetooth earbuds then i can listen to an interesting podcast and just get in a zone. i take them out while checking out and interacting with the cashier of course, but the other shoppers get just enough of my attention to avoid a collision.
also h*ckin sunglasses. it’s amazing how much longer i can stay out when im not being bombarded with light sources coming at me from all angles.
I’ve had a lot of good experiences with ear plugs. I’ve used musician’s earplugs to help reduce noise without blocking it out entirely, and while I don’t have personal experience with Loop earplugs I’ve heard a lot of positive things about them.
Regarding seeming “rude” by wearing earplugs: I completely understand the concern here. All I can really offer is that you’re doing something to look after and care for yourself: if other people have a problem with it then its a “them” problem, not a “you” one. This is just a personal method I use to help me get over the worry: I think of myself as a child, and consider how validating it would feel to see an adult wearing hearing protection/whatever else to make them feel comfortable, and how it would help child-me feel more empowered about my own comfort and needs. So I do it for child-me, and if that also gives anyone else a boost or helps them not to feel so awkward then that’s just a win for everyone.
I like that way of looking at it.
Gonna try out the loops and see what’s up.
I’ve got a pair of Loops and they’re absolutely game changing for me. I never realised how draining / overstimulating it was for me to go to shopping centres and restaurants until I suddenly didn’t have to deal with a barrage of noise.
I personally have the Loop Quiet, and can’t recommend them enough.
It’s funny, I’ve gotten so many questions from colleagues and friends about them at events over the last six months, and even though they’re (to my knowledge) allistic every single person has thought they’re a brilliant idea. I know I’ve “sold” at least 3 pairs out of half a dozen conversations about them.
That’s awesome, you know it’s a good product when it basically becomes it’s own ambassador.
I was torn between the quiet’s and the engage, and ended up going with the engage. I may end up getting the quiet’s too depending on how I like them.
Don’t know if this is a regional thing, but many of the supermarkets here have a specific time to visit where they turn off all music, announcements, and checkout beeps - e.g. Saturday 9am to 10am for Morrisons.
My Safeway did this in the months before it closed. I rarely was up that early, but once I got to try it out, I had no idea how much I was putting up with until then, it was wonderful. Haven’t been able to do that again since though. 😭
That sounds nice.
I’m sure certain places have that here as well. My issue is that I would never be able to limit myself to only shopping at those times. I’m not even in one place long enough to get to know what those times would be, as I’m a traveler for work.
I just ordered some noise isolation earbuds though, so we’ll see how good they are. Thanks for the comment.
Decibel reducer plugs are a godsend for me, not just shopping, but anytime I’m in a noisy environment but still need to be able to hear.
Any particular ones you recommend?
Not OP, but Loop Earplugs works really well for me. They’re little plastic earplugs shaped like loops (thus the name) that are shaped to only allow nearby voices to be heard. They even have additional rubber “mutes” that can reduce volume further without removing the ability to hear people talking.
Thank you, I decided to go with the ‘engage’ ones. We’ll see how they do.
not the same original commenter, but I’d definitely recommend Calmer earplugs! I’ve tried my wife’s in a crowded mall, and it doesn’t really block the noise, but it just feels magic with how it adjusts everything to be bearable. without them I couldn’t hear her talking right next to me with all the other sounds, but with them it was just all so clear.
I also use Calmer! I have both Calmer and the more intense Calmer Nights, and they are both absolutely fantastic. I can still hear what I need to hear, they just… take the edge off. I love how discreet they are too.
I have some Loop Experience earplugs. I have them for migraine, and they are decently comfortable, and make things a bit more tolerable. I got them, and then saw that they have these new adjustable ones that let you set the filter level with a dial. Maybe them?
They are pricey though. Also, I ordered black ones and got shiny purple…
Oof. I don’t know if I could pull off the shiny purple ones. Lol
I got the engage ones in the clear black color, we’ll see how they do and if I get the right ones!
Here’s hoping you don’t get the purple! I can’t remember if pink was an option…
Yes. Yes they are. XD
The pink ones are kinda translucent and barely visible for me. I don’t mind people seeing them so I might have a few different colors to match my outfit but in professional settings I usually wear the pink ones.
Some store let you command online and ship it to you or let you pick up your command in drive (even without car).
In few country Lidl offer quiet evening (tuesday from 6pm to 8pm). There’s probably other stores doing this
I’ve also heard a lot about loop earplug but never tested
I prepare a shopping list every time and stick to it to reduce the more I can the time I spend in the store.
Pick up orders have improved my shopping experience so much! It’s allowed me to try new recipes and meals too; I normally tunnel when I physically go shopping and don’t have the energy to look at or try new things.
Grocery pickup is a great service, for so many people. I’m glad it’s become more normalized.
I wear my normal earbuds but just don’t turn them on. Blocks out enough of the high pitches but I can still hear what’s going on.
Personally, I wear noise cancelling headphones and listen to audiobooks but not music while shopping when I go alone.
When I go shopping with my husband I always wear my Loop engage. They come in several colors and there’s a pink version that (for me) is almost invisible. I can still hold a conversation and hear people talking to me but it’s way less noisy.
Thanks for the recommendation, I’ve got some on the way :)
I agree that ANC earbuds are annoyingly inhibiting.
I have a pair of silicone earplugs that are tuned not to distort sounds. I find them very useful for situations like this.
