How Noise Can Affect Your Sleep Satisfaction

Noise has a major impact on sleep. Exposure to too much noise during sleep has immediate effects while we are sleeping, which leads to short-term issues the next day, and over time may result in long-term mental and physical consequences.

Effects of Noise During Sleep

Noises at night might wake you up, and a fragmented night’s sleep is less refreshing. Even noises that don’t wake you up have subconscious effects on sleep by changing the time we spend in certain sleep stages. Sleep stages are the different types of sleep we cycle through each night, ranging from lighter stages (1 and 2) to deep (slow wave) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM). Environmental noise, such as air and vehicle traffic, has been shown to Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source increase stage 1 sleep and decrease slow wave and REM sleep.

Nighttime noise may also cause Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source extra production of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol as well as elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

A study of circadian rhythms in mice showed an increased sensitivity Trusted Source American Institute of Physics (AIP) Publishing AIP Publishing comprises highly regarded, peer-reviewed journals, including a growing portfolio of Open Access titles, that cover all areas of the physical sciences. View Source to noise trauma at night compared to during the day, and the researchers hypothesize this sensitivity may apply to human circadian rhythm as well.

Short-Term Effects of Noise

Getting sufficient undisturbed sleep is critical for feeling good and performing well. Although you are unlikely to notice subtle changes to your sleep structure and biochemical experience of sleep, these changes can manifest the next day in ways that are more pronounced. Sleepiness, irritability, and poorer mental health are associated with Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source exposure to nighttime noise the night before.

Long-Term Effects of Noise

Poor quality sleep over a long period of time is linked with Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The relationship between noise during sleep and long-term health effects is less clear, but studies indicate a possible association with high blood pressure Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , heart disease and stroke Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , increased use of sleep medications Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , and decreased overall health.

Is It Better to Sleep in Silence or With Noise?

In a perfect world, we would all have the option to retreat to a completely soundproof bedroom. However, noise exposure is a nightly reality for most.

You might be able to limit sound exposure in your bedroom at night by following the steps outlined above, but if that’s not enough, adding a consistent background noise may mask or drown out the sounds you can’t control and could help to counteract the harmful effects of noise exposure during sleep. Also, some people find that background noise helps to distract them from anxious or intrusive thoughts and prepares the mind for sleep.

Research studies have produced conflicting data about whether adding a stream of background noise improves sleep quality. One study of the effects of adding sound from an air conditioner in the home found no positive impact Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source on sleep. In another experiment, researchers investigated the effect of broadcasting white noise into the rooms of hospitalized patients and found that white noise improved sleep quality Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source over the course of three nights compared to a control group. A third study of patients who were having trouble sleeping showed that white noise helped them fall asleep 38% more quickly Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Given the inconsistent data, the utility of adding background noise may come down to personal preference.

What Are the Best Sounds to Sleep To?

The best night sounds for sleeping can vary from one person to the next, but consider utilizing sounds that are loud enough to cover other noises and that maintain an even tone and volume; sudden sound changes could cause you to wake up. It might help to experiment with a few and see what works for you. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• White noise: White noise is produced by layering multiple sound frequencies at the same time. One option is to invest in a white noise machine; you could also look into downloading a white noise app or sound file to your smartphone or tablet. If white noise sounds too harsh, then you may prefer pink noise instead. Pink noise combines louder high-frequency noise with softer low-frequency noise, resulting in a sound that is more even and less layered.
• Turn on a fan or air conditioner: These devices produce consistent ambient noise that may help to drown out intrusive environmental sounds.
• Music: The songs that are soothing and sleep-inducing depend on one’s own musical taste and personal experience with music. You might try creating a playlist of songs that are relaxing to you or searching for curated sleep playlists provided by streaming services.
• Sounds from nature: Hearing rain, ocean waves, wind, and other natural sounds helps some people fall asleep. Certain sleep sound machines come programmed with a selection of sounds to choose from, or you can search for apps or sound files to download onto your device. A variety of sleep sounds can also be found on our YouTube channel.

How To Avoid Noises When Trying to Sleep

In a city, it’s common to deal with the sounds of traffic, sirens, airplanes, or people gathering outside. Even in suburban or rural settings you are unlikely to be completely isolated from noisy appliances, cars, neighbors, and animals during the night. Additionally, other people or pets in your home may make noise that disrupts your sleep. Think about the specific sounds that affect your living space as you review the following ideas for avoiding noise at night.

Adjust Your Bedroom Environment

Creating a bedroom space that’s as supportive of a quiet night’s sleep as possible is a critical part of good sleep hygiene.

• Add soft surfaces: Sound reverberates off of hard surfaces and is absorbed by soft ones. Adding rugs, cushioned furniture, or thick curtains to your bedroom might help block or lessen noise both coming in from the street and from within your house.
• Insulate windows: If loud noises are infiltrating your bedroom from the outside, options include installing soundproof windows as well as sealing any air gaps in the windows you have.
• Reduce appliance noise: If your refrigerator or air conditioner is emitting abnormal sounds, have it repaired. When the time comes to replace an appliance, shop for one that is quiet.
• Turn off alerts: Make sure you have your electronic devices on silent mode so that notifications don’t wake you up at night.

Plug Your Ears

Depending on your living situation, you may not be able to physically soundproof your bedroom. Ear plugs are an effective tool as long as they don’t interfere with your ability to sleep. A research study found that hospital patients who wore earplugs and an eye mask Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source woke up less often and experienced more deep sleep compared to a group of patients who did not.

An alternative to earplugs is to find small, comfortable noise-cancelling headphones, which are designed to block out noise and also allow you to introduce relaxing sounds that could help you sleep.

Negotiate With Others

If your primary source of noise at night is coming from other people in your home, communicate with them about how they can help you get the sleep you need and how you can return the favor. When operating on different sleep schedules, some noise at night is inevitable, but you could try agreeing upon rules for quiet hours. For example, it might help to request that your partner or roommate use headphones to listen to TV or music while you are sleeping. Planning ahead by cooking meals and laying out the next day’s clothes during waking hours can also cut down on disruption.

If your partner’s snoring is keeping you up, talk with them about it. Lifestyle changes or anti-snoring mouthpieces might help. Very loud snoring and choking or gasping sounds at night could be signs of obstructive sleep apnea. Seek a doctor’s help if you notice these symptoms in your partner.