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The Effect of Noise on Sleep

empirical.health

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Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#111

Post by 4b11b4 »

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…

I may suggest custom ear buds. Best $200 you'll spend. The original method is a wax form, but now there is a 3D scanning tool to map the shape of your ear.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#112

Post by rickydroll »

thinkharderdev wrote: post #61
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…

My wife started snoring pretty badly while she was pregnant so ended up buying these earplugs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPH7HNT1 . I've never been able to sleep in the foam earplugs as they either fall out or the pressure starts to really irritate after a while, but these don't put pressure and they stay in all night. They're also really block out noise.

Thanks, adding them to the list of things to try

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#113

Post by quoxi »

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.…

I was looking for an apartment on the SF Peninsula a couple years back. Nearly all apartment buildings constructed in recent years are right next to the freeway or right next to the CalTrain train tracks. Lots of air and noise pollution, and it feels like borderline hostility towards renters. Lived there for a short while and ultimately moved out of the Bay Area because of the poor options for renters in that area (although it gets better the further south you go) and of course the sky-high housing prices.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#114

Post by cooppearson »

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…

Would like to second ear plugs, it took some testing to find the right softness/size because I have very small ear canals, but these slim-fit earplugs have been life-changing for my sleep: https://a.co/d/38Kftbm

The earplugs don't completely cut out environmental noise, but they dampen it enough that I don't find myself being awakened by any bumps in the night.

And snipping down the tail ends of the earplugs with scissors helps reduce pressure if you're a side sleeper.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#115

Post by rickydroll »

jks wrote: post #66
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…

These custom earplugs are the most comfortable I've ever worn: https://www.elacin.com/your-perfect-fit/leisure/relax-sleep/

Nice. Which model do you use? And do they sell them in the U.S.? Not that I would mind making a trip overseas and getting away from the insanity here for a little while, but it adds to the cost.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#116

Post by bumby »

sidewndr46 wrote: post #64
arp242 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Audible for well over a mile in normal conditions That doesn't strike me as a feature. Also a solved problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rwJ5NCf1Vw Tesco delivery trucks have them here in Ireland; it's pretty good stuff. Still quite loud/noticeable when you're up close, while at the same time not being completely obnoxious to everyone in a kilometre radius.

They have to be loud enough to be heard through hearing protection. The amplitude is a feature. It's a "solved problem" in the sense that nuclear energy is a solved problem. There's no mandate to actually see widespread roll out of anything that may be a better solution. There's a construction site near me at present. There is always 1 machine in reverse, at all times. The utility of having a backup beeper or any noi…

>The utility of having a backup beeper or any noise making device on that site is thus zero.

This strikes me as an odd take, maybe from someone who has never worked on a construction site.

Our auditory sense is more than just a binary “present/not present” detection. We can sense distance and direction. Just because there is a backup beeper somewhere on site does not mean there is no value to any other auditory signal.

Think about when you’re in a congested city. There’s probably a lot of ambient car noise, including horns, in the background. That doesn’t mean you’re unable to react to a honking car in your immediate vicinity.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#117

Post by Ntrails »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #77
Anechoic wrote: post #52

FYI, there's been tons of research of the effects of noise on sleep from different sources. There have been studies ranging from in-lab experiments, to in-home experiments with artificial and natural sources. If you're interested, some resources: Institute of Noise Control Engineering Digital library: https://www.inceusa.org/publications/ince-digital-library/ (papers older than 10 years old are available free) Federa…

Interesting, perhaps age related deafness contributes.

I'd expect the relationship goes the other way around. Most old people I know sleep lightly comparatively

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#118

Post by trollbridge »

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?

Unfortunately, the best way to cure this is "don't live underneath other people".

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#119

Post by lurking_swe »

todotask2 wrote: post #106
octo888 wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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, p…

i’d try getting this in front of a journalist or news station. They may be more excited to investigate “weird” claims like this one. Sorry to hear about your situation.

Re: The Effect of Noise on Sleep

#120

Post by trollbridge »

aegypti wrote: post #86
sjs382 wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> only allowed to be built on busy streets Is this true or a misleading observation? I can see some argument about it, increasing traffic in areas that aren't equipped for it if the building is large enough. But it might just be market forces, too: in larger cities, it's often more desirable to be near a major artery. Earplugs (if the noise bothers you) vs a longer commute.

It is quite literally illegal to build anything but detached single family homes on 95.8 percent of the total residential land area in California / 75% of the residential land area in most major American cities.

"Residential land area"? Much of California's land has no zoning at all. Of course, it's not near any cities either (or near any road noise).
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