Protecting sleep from noise in the built environment

Abstract

Recognition is growing over the need to protect patrons from hearing damage caused by high sound levels in stadiums and concert halls. In parallel, attention must be drawn to the health and safety impacts of lower level sound exposures, which may produce resident sleep loss in built environments: homes, dormitories, hotels, and care facilities. Many localities have ordinances that define day and night sound level maximums as measured at property lines. These ordinances apply to noise nuisance produced on one property and experienced on another. Some are complaint-driven; these do not apply in advance during the review process for acquiring building permits. Those living in poorly built, multiple occupancy buildings may have substantial exposure to noise intrusions, including those produced within their own building envelope. Sleep disruptive noise intrusions are especially common in crowded, under-resourced neighborhoods and contribute to health disparities. To protect sleep, noise ordinances and building codes need to be informed by scientific evidence derived from sleep disruption research. Insufficient sleep is known to have multiple negative consequences, including impaired antibody production. Supporting the immune system through sufficient sleep is especially critical during the COVID crisis, for directly fighting infection, as well as for supporting adequate vaccine response.