In my head, having loud music makes me more likely to pay attention to it, thus dividing my concentration. If there was something really smelly, that would do it, too, but, often, you don't have control over that.

humming when you eat- my DH's brother and I both do it. -At least when food is really good.

Lots of people do, but why? I mean you don't sniff to hear better or squint to smell something (unless it's really nasty, in which case your eyes may be burning). S'odd.

For me, turning down the radio helps minimize the amount of distraction that is being sent to my brain and I can concentrate better on the street signs.

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I put on my glasses to listen to people.

I turn down the radio so I can smell better. I realize that it sounds strange, but it's just something I do without thinking about it. It sounds weird to me too.

Trudy, that's probably a non-verbal communication thing. I hear people so much better when I can see their faces.

I'm glad to hear I'm sane.

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I close my eyes when I'm trying to smell and to hear. Unless I'm listening to someone talk, then I have to watch his or her mouth. I'm not sure about the radio thing, I haven't had to try to find anything while driving in a while.

hm, anyone have experience in getting rental insurance? We're trying to figure out how much we need, and we are trying to decide between 25K and 50K.

I mean you don't sniff to hear better or squint to smell something (unless it's really nasty, in which case your eyes may be burning). S'odd.

I do it because hearing takes brain cycles, and recognising street name takes brain cycles. The less information my brain has to throw away, the more it can use the info it's looking for.