Noise as a sleep aid: a systematic review

Riedy SM, Smith MG, Rocha S, Basner M · Sleep Medicine Reviews 55:101385 · 2021

Key finding

Evidence for white/pink noise as a sleep aid is weak and low quality — it can mask inconsistent sounds, but keep it quiet.

Citation

Authors: Riedy SM, Smith MG, Rocha S, Basner M
Published in: Sleep Medicine Reviews 55:101385
Year: 2021
Topic: Sound

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Related guides

Sound: aim for ~35 dB, and hate inconsistency

Related studies

Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on healthNight-time noise fragments sleep and raises cardiovascular risk even when people don't consciously wake.Night noise guidelines for EuropeRecommends outdoor night noise below 40 dB (L_night) to protect health; effects begin around 30–35 dB indoors.Environmental noise and sleep disturbancesReview linking traffic and environmental noise with awakenings, sleep-stage changes and next-day effects.

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Educational summary of published research, not medical advice. Screening scores are not diagnoses. If a score is elevated or you feel unwell, talk to a clinician.