The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#1

Post by brandonb » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:03 PM UTC

The Effect of Noise on Sleep
empirical.health

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#2

Post by jabo » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:34 PM UTC

Wonder if white noise counts as noise from this perspective. Or if it’s mainly unexpected noises that make sleep quality worse.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#3

Post by foobarian » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:36 PM UTC

> threshold effect: keeping bedroom sound levels beneath the low-60s dB (roughly the volume of normal conversation)

A common source matching this description would be having a TV on in the bedroom.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#4

Post by lm2s » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:38 PM UTC

Would love to know what kind of noise and sound level was used for this test. Was it a continuous monotonous noise (such as white/pink/brown noise) at a fixed volume? Or was it some random noise that would "pop-up" randomly?

Does anyone know?

I would imagine that a noise that would randomly "pop-up" would be worse. But would be curious if that's not the case.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#5

Post by proee » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:41 PM UTC

So just use some good quality earplugs?

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#6

Post by tobyhinloopen » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:46 PM UTC

I find this hard to believe this is universally true. I sleep much worse without noise. I use a fan or a speaker to add noise to the room. If I don't, I wake up constantly.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#7

Post by mrob » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:48 PM UTC

tobyhinloopen wrote: post #6

I find this hard to believe this is universally true. I sleep much worse without noise. I use a fan or a speaker to add noise to the room. If I don't, I wake up constantly.

That could be because your added noise is masking other noise with worse effects.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#8

Post by kogus » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:52 PM UTC

proee wrote: post #5

So just use some good quality earplugs?

I personally would not be able to sleep well with earplugs. The feeling of pressure in my ears, combined with the 'pushing' of the earplug if I rolled over to lay on my side would be very uncomfortable.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#9

Post by brandonb » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:52 PM UTC

lm2s wrote: post #4

Would love to know what kind of noise and sound level was used for this test. Was it a continuous monotonous noise (such as white/pink/brown noise) at a fixed volume? Or was it some random noise that would "pop-up" randomly? Does anyone know? I would imagine that a noise that would randomly "pop-up" would be worse. But would be curious if that's not the case.

This was ambient noise in the room, as measured by an Apple Watch. So “random,” real world noises that pop up, as opposed to a controlled level of white noise.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#10

Post by cheeseomlit » Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 1:59 PM UTC

lm2s wrote: post #4

Would love to know what kind of noise and sound level was used for this test. Was it a continuous monotonous noise (such as white/pink/brown noise) at a fixed volume? Or was it some random noise that would "pop-up" randomly? Does anyone know? I would imagine that a noise that would randomly "pop-up" would be worse. But would be curious if that's not the case.

That's also what I was wondering- I sleep with a fan on for the white noise, otherwise I sleep very poorly if at all. I wonder if that sort of 'covers up' the spikes in noise you'd be hearing if the room were otherwise silent