Long term sleep disturbance due to traffic noise

Results highlight that both long term average and peak levels are important in assessing sleep disturbance, and it is possible that a single noise index, Leq(A), is sufficient to scale sleep disturbance.

Abstract

This contribution to the evaluation of the effects of traffic noise on sleep disturbance is focused on the responses of people living near a main road. Experiments were carried out in the homes of subjects who had habitually been exposed to noise for periods of more than four years. The chronic changes in overall sleep patterns and the temporary sleep responses to particular noise events caused by traffic are demonstrated. Young people show mainly stage 3 and 4 deficits whilst older people show REM sleep deficits. The cardiac response to noise during sleep was also examined. These results highlight that both long term average and peak levels are important in assessing sleep disturbance. The threshold levels, measured inside the bedroom and above which sleep quality starts to become impaired, are 37 Leq(A) and 45 dB (A)Lp max, respectively. For the type of traffic studied these two levels are coherent and it is therefore possible that a single noise index, Leq(A), is sufficient to scale sleep disturbance.