Struggling to work without headphones
July 17, 2018 1:22 PM Subscribe
I've been either a student or a freelancer for the past 10 years, and I'm used to listening to music or podcasts while I work. Now I have a full-time job in an office where headphones aren't allowed, and I'm really struggling with working in silence.
My job is mostly design, which is all visual, and I find that if I don't have something else to focus on, I start ruminating on personal problems or bad memories (like I did when I used to have insomnia). I end up reading news on the internet more than I should, to give myself something else to think about. I actually wore headphones for the first two weeks I worked there, before my boss noticed and told me they weren't allowed – I loved my job for those two weeks. Does anyone else work in a headphoneless office? Is there any chance I could convince my boss to let me use them, at least for a couple of hours a day?
My job is mostly design, which is all visual, and I find that if I don't have something else to focus on, I start ruminating on personal problems or bad memories (like I did when I used to have insomnia). I end up reading news on the internet more than I should, to give myself something else to think about. I actually wore headphones for the first two weeks I worked there, before my boss noticed and told me they weren't allowed – I loved my job for those two weeks. Does anyone else work in a headphoneless office? Is there any chance I could convince my boss to let me use them, at least for a couple of hours a day?
Individuals with hearing loss cannot understand speech in noisy places, with or without hearing aids, and noise worsens symptoms for those with tinnitus and hyperacusis.
High ambient noise levels pose an access barrier for them, turning their disorders into disabilities and denying them full enjoyment of restaurants, stores, and other places.
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees people with disabilities full enjoyment of places of public accommodation.
Talk to your physician.
See: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1121/2.0000657
posted by candasartan at 1:34 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
High ambient noise levels pose an access barrier for them, turning their disorders into disabilities and denying them full enjoyment of restaurants, stores, and other places.
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees people with disabilities full enjoyment of places of public accommodation.
Talk to your physician.
See: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1121/2.0000657
posted by candasartan at 1:34 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
can you explain to your boss that the music helps you concentrate, and that you'll keep it to a reasonable volume? did he say WHY they weren't allowed?
posted by misanthropicsarah at 1:57 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 1:57 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Were you wearing earbuds or over-ear headphones? Earbuds might “look better” than something over ear. If the concern is that you won’t notice someone trying to get your attention, maybe your boss would be okay with bone conduction headphones that don’t block your ears? Could you wear one wireless earbud? Present it like you just love classical piano and it helps you be in a creative mindset?
This can all get weirdly political and illogical. If initial discussion doesn’t go in your favor you might want to make them specify what is and isn’t okay exactly. (Are earplugs allowed? Well then why not earbuds with white noise? Or spa sounds? If spa sounds why not piano? If piano why not other music?) People can also get weird about smartphones, so another variable to explore is the listening device: phone vs dedicated MP3 player vs your work computer.
posted by delezzo at 2:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
This can all get weirdly political and illogical. If initial discussion doesn’t go in your favor you might want to make them specify what is and isn’t okay exactly. (Are earplugs allowed? Well then why not earbuds with white noise? Or spa sounds? If spa sounds why not piano? If piano why not other music?) People can also get weird about smartphones, so another variable to explore is the listening device: phone vs dedicated MP3 player vs your work computer.
posted by delezzo at 2:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Seconding that one wireless (and small) in-ear device might be the way to go and might be acceptable to the boss, along with an explanation about how it helps you focus on the work.
Are you in a cube? An open plan? If you have any ability to play lower-volume sounds on your computer, I find that some of the "white noise" sites with "background conversation" cafe-type sounds can also really help with distraction, and may not be noticeable to those around you since the sounds tend to "blend in" (unlike music). Here is a pretty good one.
posted by Mid at 2:33 PM on July 17, 2018
Are you in a cube? An open plan? If you have any ability to play lower-volume sounds on your computer, I find that some of the "white noise" sites with "background conversation" cafe-type sounds can also really help with distraction, and may not be noticeable to those around you since the sounds tend to "blend in" (unlike music). Here is a pretty good one.
posted by Mid at 2:33 PM on July 17, 2018
Response by poster: did he say WHY they weren't allowed?
I didn't ask at the time because I'd just started and I didn't want to be difficult. I would guess it's because he wants us to talk to each other about what we're doing.
Were you wearing earbuds or over-ear headphones?
I was wearing earbuds, usually just in one ear.
posted by Chenko at 2:36 PM on July 17, 2018
I didn't ask at the time because I'd just started and I didn't want to be difficult. I would guess it's because he wants us to talk to each other about what we're doing.
Were you wearing earbuds or over-ear headphones?
I was wearing earbuds, usually just in one ear.
posted by Chenko at 2:36 PM on July 17, 2018
Best answer: I think it's totally fine to approach your boss and ask for a quick meeting so you can, "better understand the no ear-buds" policy. This is definitely a meeting you should have in-person and not via email.
To kick-off the meeting I would say something like, "I wanted to ask you a couple of questions about the no earbuds policy. In the past I've always worked with earbuds in because having some background music helps me focus."
And then just give your boss a chance to explain. Maybe somebody in the past abused the policy. Maybe your boss is afraid you won't hear other people. Maybe your boss is worried that other people will think you're goofing off. Once you understand what the exact concern is, then you can offer a reasonable workaround. So come prepared with solutions to some of the most probable concerns.
I think if you can show that you're being reasonable and thoughtful, your boss might see things your way.
posted by brookeb at 3:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
To kick-off the meeting I would say something like, "I wanted to ask you a couple of questions about the no earbuds policy. In the past I've always worked with earbuds in because having some background music helps me focus."
And then just give your boss a chance to explain. Maybe somebody in the past abused the policy. Maybe your boss is afraid you won't hear other people. Maybe your boss is worried that other people will think you're goofing off. Once you understand what the exact concern is, then you can offer a reasonable workaround. So come prepared with solutions to some of the most probable concerns.
I think if you can show that you're being reasonable and thoughtful, your boss might see things your way.
posted by brookeb at 3:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
If you're uncomfortable bringing this up with your boss, I'd go talk to your HR person (if that's an option.) Find out what the policy is - they will have to keep your conversation confidential. I'd agree that this is a weird request, especially in a design environment. I work in stuffy biotech and most of us have earbuds or even headphones on while we're at our desks.
posted by Everydayville at 3:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Everydayville at 3:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Can you play music at your desk at a volume you can hear but those around you cannot?
posted by soelo at 6:11 AM on July 19, 2018
posted by soelo at 6:11 AM on July 19, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:30 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]