What's the best way to diffuse noise from neighbors?

Offer to change apartments with them. Perhaps the landlord would install carpet upstairs.

Review your lease. Usually there is a provision stating something to the effect of:
Tenant shall expect to receive “reasonably quiet enjoyment”.

Apparently people have had this problem a few times .

I had an upstairs apartment with my boys one time and the lady below was constantly complaining of similar noise even though all we were doing was walking around and doing normal every day stuff. She called the cops, pestered the landlord, and made threats.. it was a horrible experience…

Luckily we had to move anyway, but I’ll never live in an upstairs apartment again (depending on the building itself)

Unless they are violating a noise ordinance they are ok. Being as its 2am it could be an issue.. you would have to check your local laws.

hey @digitalimpression yeah see this is the problem, I know they are not purposefully making noise – and they are so lovely and I feel guilty for constantly discussing it – but I’m 7 months pregnant and it really does sound like they are throwing furniture around! I guess I just need to stay calm and keep discussing it with them… I“m thinking of moving out it’s so loud!

@tan253 Well that’s a rough situation. I don’t know what to tell you. You said you have earplugs but are you using double hearing protection or noise canceling earplugs? They work great.. sometimes I put them on in the middle of the day while the kids are playing.. hahaha

Unfortunately, depending on the construction of the building, there isn’t much that is going to baffle the noise. It seems that it would be more stressful to worry about moving whilst 7 months pregnant rather than just putting on double hearing protection.

Good luck!

yeah i“m using just normal foam earplugs – I might go buy some noise canceling ear plugs – thanks for that I didn’t really realise there was a difference.

I know it’s such an awkward situation – I don’t really want to discuss with landlord as they are really nice…. just need to sleeeep.

@tan253 You can use the normal foam earplugs and then on top of those wear the noise canceling ones (like this). You won’t hear a thing. Unfortunately, since you are pregnant you are probably sleeping on your side with one of those funky knee pillows so the outer hearing protection would be uncomfortable.

You could try putting empty egg cartons (the big ones made for 36 eggs, not the smaller 12 egg ones) on your walls and ceiling to absorb noise. They aren’t pretty, but they do the trick. I’ve seen even professional sound rooms using egg cartons, and I’ve had to use them on my door a few times in noisy rooming houses.

If you can, start sleeping in a different room or maybe get a fan for white noise.
Or you could try tossing your tenny at the ceiling to remind them you are there trying to sleep : )