I have music on the headphones. On a low volume - music that I know every beat of. The songs will eventually fade into background and block all outside noises.

The silent patient really had the potential to be a great one - so many setups.. And it came to nothing!

I think you should explain it once and then leave it at that. Expect the reader to remember what it is the next time the word appears. And if it's a series of books once per book.

I'm the same way... Kingkiller chronicles was recommended to me by multiple people and is in my TBR since years but i haven't started on it for the sole reason that its unfinished.