(NSFW) What to do about neighbors (details inside)?

Asked by prolificus (6583) October 24th, 2010 from iPhone

The walls in our condo building are not soundproof. We hear everything, from snoring to arguments, from loud tv and radio to normal conversations. We realize the building is the problem and not our neighbors. In fact, we like our neighbors and talk with them whenever we cross paths.

The general noise is very annoying, and there’s nothing we can do about it (we rent, so our only option would be to move). Here are the specific details about my question:

Our upstairs neighbors, whose bedroom is above ours, have loud sex on a frequent basis. The sound has woken me up quite a few times. If it’s too much, I put in earplugs and go back to sleep. Even so, it’s embarrassing to me because I feel privy to my neighbor’s sex life. The neighbors are two guys, and they’re as sweet as they can be, so it’s hard for me to look them in the eye when I know what they sound like having sex.

On top of this awkward situation, my parents (who are old, not open-minded, and are ultra-conservative) will be staying with me and my partner for two weeks. They will have the use of our bedroom, and we’ll be in the back room (on an air mattress, so it’s not an option for my parents who need a real bed). Knowing the frequency of the sex sounds, I expect it will happen while my parents are here. My partner had advised me not to warn my parents about the potential of hearing loud sex from our neighbors, because she thinks it would lead to a very awkward conversation. She thinks we should just warn them about general noises and offer possible solutions (i.e. turn on radio or tv, earplugs, etc.).

So, what should I do in this situation? There are two things awkward for me. Should I continue acting like I don’t hear them when I see them? Should I say nothing specific to my parents? Should I tell my neighbors what’s going on?