Well, as Sylvia Fine put it, an oboe is an ill wind that no one blows good.

I _love_ double-reed instruments and if I had 3000 Euros lying around doing nothing, I'd run out and buy an oboe. Congratulations on your bombarde and I wish you much pleasure and tolerant neighbours.

I took oboe lessons briefly in high school and I do remember the reed tickling a little. Don't let it bother you. And keep it out of your ears.

To the best of my knowledge, it's not possible to mute woodwinds because the sound doesn't just come out the end and blocking the openings would affect the way the column of air inside the instrument vibrates in such a way that the pitch would be affected.