I am also very sensitive to sounds: transformer whines from televisions etc=
., droning appliances, barking dogs, traffic, dialogue on the neighbour's t=
elevision, and so on. This comes with the territory of being a trained audi=
o professional.=0D
=0D
I deal with this in several ways. First, choosing a relatively quiet urban =
location to live in. Most of us do have a choice about where we live, if so=
und is a high enough priority. It is for me. Second, headphones. High quali=
ty cans make listening to music/soundscapes/films/whatever more enjoyable a=
nd also block out unwanted sound from the larger environment. Third, I cust=
om designed a quiet computer and endeavour to keep local electromagnetic an=
d mechanical sounds to a minimum.=0D
=0D
Most importantly, I have learned to enjoy what others would call "noise". I=
have composed with sounds from microwave ovens, refrigeration units, traff=
ic, road repair machinery, and electromagnetic spectra. This *is* our natur=
al world. Coming to terms with this fact is essential to enjoying our acous=
tic environment. =0D
=0D
Some might wish to couch this approach in Zen or Cageian terms, but I view =
these matters pragmatically.=0D
=0D
-- Robin Parmar
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