12. Noise of various kinds can be addictive

By Tom O'Connell

"Can music be addictive?" This question was put to me by an acquaintance. Images came to mind of joggers with headsets and vehicle owners amplifying themselves into other dimensions while supposedly driving. So my immediate response was, "Of course music can be addictive. That's true of any human behavior taken to excess."

For the sake of this particular essay, let's just think about some of the common sounds that can change moods of listeners or of those who prefer not to listen. Another word for "sound" is "noise," described by Webster's New World Dictionary as "any loud, disagreeable sound." For convenience, I am going to combine loud music, loud televisions, and loud radios under the heading of "noise" and see if they qualify as "noise addiction."

Addiction is unhealthy dependence on behaviors that impair our ability to function to full potential. Also, addiction can be seen as any technique we use to adapt to life other than interpersonal relating. Unhealthy dependence on noise can impair us and alienate us from those around us. It can separate us from our inner selves, others, and our Creator.

Let's look at the five Cs of addiction: Craving, Compulsion, loss of Control, and Continuing the behavior despite life-damaging Consequences. Do I crave my noise, whether it's music or radio/TV sound? Do I feel driven to listen to loud sounds? When I try to limit my consumption, do I feel very uncomfortable? And do I continue the behavior even though it may ruin relationships, affect hearing, and interfere with other people's serenity? If so, then I am probably addicted to noise.

Am I obsessive about my noise? Am I preoccupied with thoughts about music or TV shows? Haunted by them? Driven to satisfy my craving? Does my noise come first in my thoughts before anything or anyone else? If so, then I am probably addicted to noise.

Do the following factors apply to me? Defense, denial, tolerance, and withdrawal. Do I defend my behavior against other people's criticism? Do I claim to need my fix because it's my only pleasure? Do I even deny that I'm too absorbed in my noise when loved ones point out my isolation? Have I built up a tolerance for my noise so that I now have to consume more and more of it to become satisfied? When I have to do without my noise do I suffer? If so, then I am probably addicted to noise.

Addictions impair us physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Physically, noise can affect my hearing. Mentally, noise can distract me so much that I can hardly pay attention to anything else. Emotionally, noise can separate me from my own feelings and may disturb me with highly charged messages. Socially, my noise can keep me from meaningful relationships. And it can also be a source of harm to others who prefer more quiet than I do.  Spiritually, if I have too much noise in my life it's unlikely that I'll be able to hear the "still small voice" of my Creator which whispers to me in the quiet times.

Addiction, whether to noise or anything else, is a substitute for healthy relating. It's a continuing attempt to fill inner emptiness or relieve inner discomfort by turning to habit-forming behaviors that bring temporary relief but damage our lives and the lives of others.

Also, noise addiction reflects the "self-centeredness" at the core of all obsessive and compulsive behaviors. Can noise be addictive? Sure. Can you hear me? Huh?

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