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The Effect of Noise on Sleep

empirical.health

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Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#101

Post by globular-toast »

conradev wrote: post #28

A lot of folks are talking about the “consistency” of a sound (constant white noise vs random sounds) and its volume, but I feel like the nature of the sound matters a lot more. I’ll respond much differently to my bedroom door opening or a voice speaking than I do a bus outside. It reminds me of the anecdote where human researchers rang bells near bears (human sounds) and the bears didn’t care, but if they broke a la…

The last time I lived in a flat the guy downstairs got up at 6am and used an iPhone. I know that because I could hear his alarm through the floor. Couldn't have been anywhere near 60dB in my room, but it would wake me up every damn time. Oddly, even today I am absurdly sensitive to that awful Apple alarm sound.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#102

Post by timeattack »

mmh0000 wrote: post #67

I’ve spent years “fixing” my sleep. Things I recommend: * a sleep tracker. I love AutoSleep - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/autosleep-track-sleep-on-watch... * Any kind of white noise. I use an air purifier at home, and a little pocket size white noise machine when I travel. * find and eliminate any noises in your home. Computers, fridges, squeaky doors, etc. * find and eliminate any lights. Especially stupid power a…

Any advice on how to eliminate noisy neighbours that would randomly drop their shit at random intervals in the middle of night and let their child to stomp around every late evening?

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#103

Post by layman51 »

gowld wrote: post #78
socalgal2 wrote: post #70

I don't know how to state this well but I find the fact that nearly all new apartment buildings in California are only allowed to be built on busy streets very frustrating. I'm guessing it's part nimby-ism and part zoning but every time I see a new apartment complex it's next to the busiest streets in the city (LA, SF). It's like many things, if you want health you must be rich. If you can't afford a house then F.U.…

That's not a problem with the location. That's a problem with building materials. I've lives on the busiest street in town, with well insulated walls and windows that block out street noise. And I've lived in poorly -constructed suburban houses that admit noise from across the neighborhood.

I disagree. The location is definitely a factor. If you live within 300 feet (about 100 meters) of a multi-lane highway, then depending on the wind patterns, you are definitely getting more exposure to pollutants that come from cars, trucks, or their brakes and tires. But no one in California is ready to talk about addressing this because it would require radically changing the status quo.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#104

Post by mancerayder »

Incredibly, the noise insulation between floors and ESPECIALLY walls in both hotels around the world and even expensive, modern apartment buildings in Manhattan is absolutely atrocious. So I end up booking Airbnb's when I travel and renting top floors whenever I can.

I find the build quality of new buildings (again, even uber luxury apartment condos) in the U.S. absolutely crap compared to Europe (I'm thinking especially of France and Germany).

Over here on HN you have a strong contingent of people who push pro-density, pro-city, and anti-car. But some people (like myself) who suffer from a sensitive sleep are deeply affected and consider moving to the woods away from people just for this problem. I find the 'SLAM' sound of doors (in New York there's a spring loading per building code), the stomp stomp of upstairs, and the bass music of adjacent neighbors to be deeply disruptive from a psychological perspective.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#105

Post by bumby »

willsmith72 wrote: post #74
bumby wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To the point above, we should be careful about making strong conclusions if there is a lot of uncertainty in the underlying data.

On the contrary, we gain more by making faster decisions than we do by being 100% precise

Nobody claimed we need 100% precision (or, more to the point, 100% certainty). But I would argue the level of our convictions should be proportional to the risk and level of certainty.

To the point being made, for most Americans the cost of updating your building envelope and fenestration is relatively high. Yet if we look at the accuracy of the data (compared to the medical device standard), it’s moderate accuracy. So we’re taking a high risk for something that we’re only moderately confident will work. That’s not a good tradeoff. There may be interventions that are lower risk that make for a more balanced approach.

“Move fast and break things” as a general philosophy is a risk-blind approach.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#106

Post by todotask2 »

octo888 wrote: post #94
todotask2 wrote: post #91

I have even worse noise in my area — a widespread ground vibration across a few kilometers, like a constant loud 50Hz hum that causes a tingling sensation in my body. You can’t even block it by covering your ears. I've been experiencing this frequently, both thru the night and during the day, for the past five years here in Singapore has affected my sleep rhythm, can't sleep with that noise. I've unemployed for the p…

Low frequency noise is the worst! Probably a stupid question but do you know anyone else that can hear it? I had a low-frequency version of tinnitus and I spent weeks thinking it was some external noise

My mum hears it too, but the local authorities simply claimed they couldn't hear anything during that brief moment. They’d have to stay overnight to really hear and feel it — inside a room, not just in a public space. It even vibrate my eardrum like I'm sitting on an F16 pilot seat.

I don't hear it in other districts.

I wish there were an expert or researcher interested in these areas: residential buildings, shops, parks, churches, and schools.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#107

Post by todotask2 »

Nevermark wrote: post #95
todotask2 wrote: post #91

I have even worse noise in my area — a widespread ground vibration across a few kilometers, like a constant loud 50Hz hum that causes a tingling sensation in my body. You can’t even block it by covering your ears. I've been experiencing this frequently, both thru the night and during the day, for the past five years here in Singapore has affected my sleep rhythm, can't sleep with that noise. I've unemployed for the p…

That sounds terrible. I am imagining some kind of vibration dampening layer under a bed, with an acoustic foam shell around/over the bed. Drastic measures might be worth trying.

That could be hard — my building is vibrating as well. It might be due to major underground train construction. The authorities either couldn’t pinpoint the source of the noise or just claim they don’t hear it.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#108

Post by Terr_ »

timeattack wrote: post #102
mmh0000 wrote: post #67

I’ve spent years “fixing” my sleep. Things I recommend: * a sleep tracker. I love AutoSleep - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/autosleep-track-sleep-on-watch... * Any kind of white noise. I use an air purifier at home, and a little pocket size white noise machine when I travel. * find and eliminate any noises in your home. Computers, fridges, squeaky doors, etc. * find and eliminate any lights. Especially stupid power a…

Any advice on how to eliminate noisy neighbours that would randomly drop their shit at random intervals in the middle of night and let their child to stomp around every late evening?

> Any advice on how to eliminate noisy neighbours

... Not from a Jedi. :p

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#109

Post by dackle »

socalgal2 wrote: post #70

I don't know how to state this well but I find the fact that nearly all new apartment buildings in California are only allowed to be built on busy streets very frustrating. I'm guessing it's part nimby-ism and part zoning but every time I see a new apartment complex it's next to the busiest streets in the city (LA, SF). It's like many things, if you want health you must be rich. If you can't afford a house then F.U.…

Check out the location of these condos in downtown Toronto built alongside the Gardiner Expressway, a very busy 90km/h (~55mph) highway: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TGLCBJGbrSEkAm7W6

The satellite view shows many units in multiple buildings directly next to this highway with no noise protection: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JA4jMPSSYsDBq5my5

Years ago I lived near a busy four-lane road with what seemed like a reasonable 60km/h speed limit. However, when it rained, the noise from the car tires on the wet road made it difficult to hear music from my radio. It was very unpleasant to leave the balcony doors open, as the constant din starts to work its way into your brain and make it very difficult to focus.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#110

Post by rickydroll »

plorkyeran wrote: post #55
rickydroll wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've tried the squishy foam earplugs, and they always fall out. Other suggestions, such as silicone and custom earplugs, are something I'm going to try. Let's see if they help. However, what destroys my sleep is the light from early morning, streetlights, and the neighbor's porch light. Unfortunately, our bedroom faces southeast and features French doors that open onto an east-facing three-season porch, allowing sunl…

Have you tried a blackout sleep mask? I had to try a few to find one which consistently stays in place overnight and doesn't put any pressure on my eyes, but once I found one it solved all light-related problems for me.

I've tried them, and they don't work for me. They trigger a bit of claustrophobia. I sleep with a full-face CPAP mask, and I'm not sure I can take anything more strapped to my face.
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