When I was in college I couldn't study with music with lyrics. Music without lyrics was better, it helped to take the focus off of random noises like people turning pages, clearing their throats, etc. When I am really trying to focus and it's dead quiet, and there's some sort of slight repetitive noise, my mind latches onto it, so the instrumental music helped block that out. Jazz was the best, if it was laidback and not too intense, classical okay too, but nothing too bombastic.

When I try to go to sleep noise really gets to me, even the repetitive call of a bird outside my window or something will drive me nuts. I used to use a fan for this reason, but I've weaned myself off of it now. The other night I turned on a late-night new-age/fusion music show and it sent me to sleep nicely, but that was probably also cause I was dead tired.

K.