The effect of room acoustics on the sleep quality of healthy sleepers

Abstract

Introduction:Noise is one of the factors that can seriously disturb sleep, and sound volume is an important factor in this context. One strategy involves avoiding exposure to sounds in the night, while entail the minimization of background noise in a bedroom. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of systematic sound attenuation on nocturnal sleep by influencing sound volume and reverberation within the context of room acoustics.Materials and Methods:On this basis, we designed a randomized, controlled crossover trial investigating 24 healthy sleepers (15 men and 9 women, aged 24.9 ± 4.1 years) with a body mass index (BMI) of 21.9 ± 1.6 kg/m2. Each participant slept for three consecutive nights at three different locations: (a) at our sleep lab, (b) at the participant's home, and (c) at an acoustically isolated room. In addition to conduct of polysomnography (PSG), subjective sleep quality and nocturnal noise level were measured at each location. We likewise measured room temperature and relative humidity.Results:Under conditions of equal sleep efficiency, a significant increase in deep sleep, by 16–34 min, was determined in an acoustically isolated room in comparison to the two other sleep locations. Fewer arousal events and an increase in rapid eye movement (REM) latency became evident in an acoustically isolated environment. Sleep in a domestic environment was subjectively better than sleep under the two test conditions.Discussion:For healthy sleepers, room acoustics influence the microstructure of sleep, without subjective morning benefit. Reduction of noise level and of reverberation leads to an increase in the amount of deep sleep and to reduction of nocturnal arousal events, which is especially important for poor sleepers.

Making the Case for “Whole System” Approaches: Integrating Public Health and Housing

“…Noise pollution is estimated to affect one-third of the global population [ 63 ]. Noise in the home generally comes from external environmental sources with nocturnal exposure being a public health concern because of its impact on sleep even at relatively low levels [ 64 , 65 ]. Much external noise can come from road and rail traffic, air transportation, and occupational and industrial activities, as well as individual or community-noise-level exposures (e.g., amplified music, recreational activities, and firearms) [ 59 ].…”

“…The impact on sleep is thought to have a greater impact on health and well-being than daytime noise exposure [ 65 ]. The effects are thought to result from disturbing sleep patterns, where reduced noise levels and reverberation lead to an increase in the amount of deep sleep and to reduction of nocturnal arousal events [ 64 ]. In many cases, the causal pathways are unclear, requiring further research involving the quantification of the impacts of merging noise sources (e.g., high speed rail, wind turbines) [ 65 ].…”

Evaluation of occupants’ well-being and perception towards indoor environmental quality in Malaysia affordable housing

“…Al Horr et al (2016) stated that the range and variation with time might influence the level of noise disturbances. Fietze et al (2016) stated that noise disturbances can cause stimulation which will lead to sleep disturbances and shorten the deep-sleep phase. This could lead to the reduction of productivity.…”

Observations of Acoustic Interruptions Versus Ambient Sound Levels With Perceived Sleep Quality During Critical Illness

“…It is well recognized that the ICU is loud, with ambient sound levels routinely exceeding 50 dB, even during the night ( 1 , 2 ), and that these sounds may lead to worse quality sleep ( 3 – 7 ). Among the various approaches to improve sleep quality during critical illness—including earplugs ( 8 – 12 ), behavioral interventions ( 13 , 14 ), and structural modification ( 15 )—none has had a consistent effect, with minimal reduction in ICU sound levels over 40 years ( 1 , 16 ). One potential intervention to improve sleep quality is the use of “white noise” as an auditory mask to “block” brief and unpredictable sounds occurring during critical care.…”