Effects of noise on children's sleep
In a survey on sleep hygiene of 818 pre-schoolers and school-aged children, those children who lived in a noisy environment had shorter sleep duration and went to bed later. In another survey, via the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire, children living in noisy environments demonstrated longer sleep onset delay time, shorter sleep duration and increased sleepiness. Noisy environments were reported in the 21% of children with sleep problems, significantly higher than the 8% reported in the control group. Furthermore, children living in an environment where noise levels were higher than 60dB (A) were compared to those living in an environment with little environmental noise. Daytime blood pressure and heart rate, adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol levels were measured, and significant increased cortisol levels where found in the children exposed to noise.
It appears noise can cause stress reactions, disturbing the natural reduction of plasma cortisol concentration to a minimum that usually occurs during the first half of the night, which is imperative for recreation during sleep and for different memory processes.
The negative effects of sleep disruption in children due to noise:
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Short-term effects |
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Behavioural |
Daytime fatigue; decreased performance and concentration, memory difficulties; difficult behaviour; increased motility |
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Medical |
Increased heart rate; use of sleeping pills and sedatives |
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Mortality |
Increased risk (sudden infant death syndrome) |
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Long-term effects |
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Behavioural |
Difficulty in modulating impulses and emotions; poor performance at school, fatigue, memory difficulties, concentration problems; impaired well-being and motivation; increased risk of accidents; increased motility |
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Psychiatric |
Depression, anxiety conditions; aggressive and delinquent behaviour; ADHD; alcohol, smoking, caffeine and other substance abuse |
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Medical |
Increased in sleep disorders; changes in blood pressure; changes in carbohydrate metabolism; changes in immune system; use of sleeping pills and sedatives |
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Mortality |
Increased risk of accidents |
Therefore, for children who are exposed to long-term noise exposure during the night, the risk of disruption to their stress hormone regulation is increased, leading to restless sleep, difficulties in returning to sleep after awakening during the night, with consequent impaired memory and ability to concentrate and other long-term detrimental effects to their health.
For the full article:
Bruni, O., Novelli, L., & Ferri, R (2011). Sleep Disturbance in Children by Noise. Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, 88-94
