Study: Noise During Sleep Impairs Morning Performance | Hacker News Reader

Study: Noise During Sleep Impairs Morning Performance

futurepundit.com

20 pointscwan20 comments

The 2nd Ave subway line started construction a few weeks after I moved in here. Just a few days sleep during a vacation made me a new man. A jackhammer makes a terrible alarm clock -- even if it's on the time you want to wake up at.

If anyone's doing a startup involving maps (e.g. google maps or earth), please put in estimation methods for ambient noise in an area.

A jackhammer makes a terrible alarm clock

You should call (646) 252-2670 and complain, that's what the hotline is there for. The project has construction noise limits to adhere to, and contractors tend to ignore them unless their feet are held to the fire.

If anyone's doing a startup involving maps (e.g. google maps or earth), please put in estimation methods for ambient noise in an area.

This is actually a great idea. I'm not a programmer or I'd do it myself, but if anyone wants to give it a shot, you can generate a very rough estimate of ambient noise by using the equation:

Ldn = 22 + 10log10(p)

which gives the day-night average sound level (Ldn) in dBA where p is the population density in people per square mile (there are a number of population density data sources around the net). This figure will be low for areas near transportation sources like highways, rail lines and airports.

You live in the default city, right?

Default City's in Russia :p

:-)

I wonder if it's the dissonance & unpredictability of this noise that contributes to the sleep impairment. Or if it's the duration of the sounds throughout the sleep period.

I make this assumption because music is known to aid sleep: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4228707.stm

Or perhaps why a loud fan (that doesn't click or make strange noises) is great for sleeping, in my very sound sensitive experience?

Perhaps that loud fan is generating enough gentle white noise for you. A quote from the below article states:

"Some people benefit from white noise, or fans. Make sure you have effective blinds, or earplugs, if they help. It's all about reducing distractions and sending a message to your brain about your safety."

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/...

Interestingly, as I was doing my "research" (well, just some web searches really), I came across studies that claimed white noise can impair brain development in sleeping baby rats:

"When baby rats listened to white noise for prolonged periods of time, a part of the brain responsible for hearing, called the auditory cortex, didn't develop properly. However, when the noise was taken away, the young rats' brains were able to resume normal development."

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/97/white_noise_may_dela...

I haven't found any articles showing whether or not this phenomenon has been tested on humans yet.

I suppose one takeaway from all of this research is that we need to continue doing more research.

Every morning I habitually turn on the radio, which is tuned to white noise to drown out the streets.

I sleep with earplugs every night. It's very relaxing.

It's not clear from summary if you get used to it after prolonged exposure.

It does, however, tempt me to get earplugs...

On the other hand, what are the long term effects of blocking up your ears at night?

But earplugs amplify internal sounds, like touching my head and breathing...

It's not clear from summary if you get used to it after prolonged exposure.

The idea that people get used to excessive noise levels is an all-too common fallacy. While you may think you get used to it at a conscious level, there are several negative effects that an occur, ranging from hearing impairment at high levels to elevated stress levels and diminished cognitive abilities at lower levels.

http://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/Comnoise3.htm

I've been here since Sept, I'm able to sleep, but it's noticeably less nice than the sleep I get in a quiet place.

3.6ms? Your reaction time increases from about 500ms to about 503.6ms? I'm amazed they were able to measure that at all — it must have been a huge study — but why should we care? Too bad the article didn't link to the paper.

That confirms my own experience. I currently live in a noisy flat. When I started sleeping with earplugs, I started waking up way more alert and ready.

Maybe this is why my wife hates the fact that I snore like a table saw?

Who would have thought that...

Earplugs ftw or pay double the rent.

False. For the last 3 weeks I've been sleeping in a place where the clock chimes on the hour and every half hour and there is constant car traffic. I feel better in this environment than I did at my old and quite place.

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