Burnout/sensory overload getting worse as one gets older?

Yes, I am 42 and spend a good amount laying down, it varies of course too. I had to stop working 2 years ago.
One thing that is hard to accept is that I can't listen to a lot of music anymore and often I can't watch TV. I just had to leave the living room today, because we were watching a documentary on African culture and music. There was music and talking at the same time for at least ten minutes.  It was unbearable.
Good luck to you. I wish I could have told you a happier story.

This is very interesting - I completely understand this sensory issue. I have noisy neighbours. I try to wind down in the evening and watch my specific program on a specific date/time, then all of a sudden their music starts (or it's a facetime call through their TV, with a child who has a very shrill voice) and I can't understand what's going on, on my program, even with subtitles. I can't bear the volume being increased. It's like a cross-contamination of sound and it "upsets my ears". I find we go out more and more for walks and all-day drive-arounds just to get out of the flat. We're moving soon, fingers crossed.

This is very interesting - I completely understand this sensory issue. I have noisy neighbours. I try to wind down in the evening and watch my specific program on a specific date/time, then all of a sudden their music starts (or it's a facetime call through their TV, with a child who has a very shrill voice) and I can't understand what's going on, on my program, even with subtitles. I can't bear the volume being increased. It's like a cross-contamination of sound and it "upsets my ears". I find we go out more and more for walks and all-day drive-arounds just to get out of the flat. We're moving soon, fingers crossed.

A cheap and cheerful, "try before you buy" solution is a pair of industrial ear defenders.

I've been known to use them myself when the 'sperg is strong in me and I'm stuck in a noisy environment.

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

She went with the 65db reduction (12cm width) which is what we're going with too. I found the company that does the soundproofing on Channel 4 Big Build SOS - it's the Reductoclip shown here, but not this company Soundproofing

I will keep that in mind when we move. Right now the noise is ok from the neighbors upstairs. They work at least 5 9-10 hour days and then - when they go crazy on the weekends, it doesn't last too long. I imagine them drinking and collapsing from a hard week.

What does get on my nerves is the constant drone from our 20 year old fridge.

I researched soundproofing a little. I love the decoupling idea, but just adding another dry wall seems a lot easier. What did your friend do?

Not as expensive as you think. A friend of mine has just installed her own and she says it's made a huge difference. 

What a great idea!

Gawd, I'm literally in the very same position as you. Any day now we're waiting for confirmation. First job at the new house - party wall sound insulation. I had bought current place from a developer new, and asked about the sound conduction - but what we were promised and what was delivered are somewhat amiss.

Torture is exactly what it is.

Before we bought, we rented a terraced maisonette, so there was someone either side and a guy in a bedsit on the bottom floor who blasted music regularly and always had a drunk female guest who shouted a lot. There was someone in a garage round the back who had drum practice every Tuesday for 3 hours, 7-10pm. It was such torture, and like surround sound. The walls were paper thin. The couple next door had a child who had colic, and on cue every night at 1am she was sick. The mother screamed blue murder every single time it happened F-this and F-that (could hear every single word) for a full hour or two. The kid was sick 16 nights in a row on one occasion. The completion of our flat took 6-7 months longer than planned so we ended up stuck there way longer than we could tolerate.

Here's to new beginnings 

It's similar for me. Someone moved in next door who is talking loudly or shouting all day and night. My brain can't shut it out and even though I can't understand the words they're saying, it makes it impossible for me to focus on things. Even if I'm wearing headphones, hearing his muffled voice come through distracts me and the sounds are too confusing. I can't even listen to music or think because my brain is registering this voice.

I am moving soon too hopefully. It's been really difficult to organise it all but I have now sold my house and bought a new one, I'm just waiting for the solicitors to arrange anything and praying to god that nothing goes wrong. It's been more than a year of what is essentially torture and I want it to end.

We're getting it soundproofed on the party wall! 

Yes! The media companies need to make a version for people with "sense-itivities"!  > Same volume and no multiple sounds/ sound effects, no blinking lights or quick camera movements.
- Yes, I know I am dreaming.
:-D

I hope that the new place will be more pleasant for you!