Dear John, and BJ,
Thank you so much for your advice!
Yes, a friend is going to come by to do a noise test while I stand in various areas, to try to determine where the noise is coming from. I now strongly suspect it's coming from the lobby because ever since I put up light blocking drapes over my bedroom windows, there has been no noise disturbance from outside the window. I think that perhaps, John, you were right about people outside - attracted before the drapes went up by the light coming from my window.
BJ, thank you so much for telling me about how the ear muffs work. I had no idea! I'd need to adapt to sleeping on my back because I'm a side sleeper, but if it works I'll do whatever it takes to adapt.
I've been in contact with two inventors. They're both very nice. The first one said such a thing (noise cancelling ear buds) could not be invented. The second one was more willing to consider the invention, but said the cost would be anywhere from 5K to 25K dollars! In his second letter, he suggested that instead of crafting them from scratch, to try modifying something like the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones I tried in December. But they were useless and I returned them. At best, they only reduce sound by maybe 19 decibels, whereas the noise that has been plaguing me at night is closer to 110 decibels (but I don't know its sound frequency).
My friend found a company in Oregon that makes, I believe, recording chambers, but they also make other sorts of chambers including ones people have bought to sleep in. However, they are not completely soundproof and it would cost 10K! For that money, we may as well put a down payment on a house!
So, you are right - the costs are incredible.
BJ, can you recommend any particular type of ear muffs, or would just any kind do?
And John, once I can determine where the noise is coming from, could you offer any suggestions for inexpensively soundproofing either the entry door to the lobby or the window?
Thank you both so much! I'm so sorry it took me so long to reply; I was corresponding with those inventors and completely forgot I had posted my problem here - please forgive me.
Yours truly,
Gail