"Results. Compared to a noise-free control night, EN reduced N3 deep sleep (p < .0001) while PN reduced REM sleep (p < .001). Adding PN to EN worsened sleep structure, despite minor dose-dependent improvements of EN-induced sleep fragmentation and N3 sleep increases. Earplugs mitigated nearly all EN effects on sleep but started failing at the highest EN level (65 dBA). Morning cognition, cardiovascular measures, and hearing were not affected by nighttime noise, but subjective assessments of sleep, alertness and mood were significantly worse after EN and PN exposure.
Conclusions. In contrast to PN, earplugs proved efficacious in mitigating the effects of EN on sleep. Considering the importance of REM sleep for memory, emotion regulation, and neurodevelopment, the negative effects of PN on REM sleep caution against the widespread and indiscriminate use of broadband noise (BN). Additional research on optimal BN color/level and long-term use is needed, especially in vulnerable populations."
Well, this is disappointing news. I’ve been sleeping with pink noise for many years now. It helps when sleeping in new locations, by introducing a familiar noise instead of the strange new noises. It also helps flatten the noises from my neighbor’s dog who likes to go out and bark after 11pm and before 7am.
Original article: "Efficacy of pink noise and earplugs for mitigating the effects of intermittent environmental noise exposure on sleep" - https://academic.oup.com/sleep/advance-article/doi/10.1093/s...
"Results. Compared to a noise-free control night, EN reduced N3 deep sleep (p < .0001) while PN reduced REM sleep (p < .001). Adding PN to EN worsened sleep structure, despite minor dose-dependent improvements of EN-induced sleep fragmentation and N3 sleep increases. Earplugs mitigated nearly all EN effects on sleep but started failing at the highest EN level (65 dBA). Morning cognition, cardiovascular measures, and hearing were not affected by nighttime noise, but subjective assessments of sleep, alertness and mood were significantly worse after EN and PN exposure.
Conclusions. In contrast to PN, earplugs proved efficacious in mitigating the effects of EN on sleep. Considering the importance of REM sleep for memory, emotion regulation, and neurodevelopment, the negative effects of PN on REM sleep caution against the widespread and indiscriminate use of broadband noise (BN). Additional research on optimal BN color/level and long-term use is needed, especially in vulnerable populations."
Well, this is disappointing news. I’ve been sleeping with pink noise for many years now. It helps when sleeping in new locations, by introducing a familiar noise instead of the strange new noises. It also helps flatten the noises from my neighbor’s dog who likes to go out and bark after 11pm and before 7am.