Pink noise may drown out plane noise for better sleep

NCT ID NCT05774977

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested whether playing a gentle broadband sound called pink noise or wearing earplugs can reduce sleep disruption caused by aircraft noise. Twenty-seven healthy adults slept in a lab while exposed to recorded aviation sounds. Researchers measured how much time they spent in deep and dream sleep, and how well they performed on thinking tasks the next day.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: pink noise (broadband sound) and earplugs
What this could lead to: If effective, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to help people near airports sleep better despite aircraft noise.
What could go wrong: This was a small lab study with only 27 people, so results may not apply to real-world home settings or to everyone. The interventions may not work for all types of noise or sleep patterns.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NOISE EXPOSURE

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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