(© SB Arts Media – stock.adobe.com)

New survey reveals younger generations struggle to fall asleep without a soundscape

NEW YORK — For many Americans, the phrase “peace and quiet” might need an update—at least when it comes to bedtime. A surprising new survey reveals that 38% of Americans now rely on background noise to fall asleep, with nearly half of Generation Z reporting that silence isn’t golden when it’s time to rest.

The eye-opening research, commissioned by Newsweek and carried out by Talker Research, shows just how much our sleeping habits have changed over the generations. Think about it: while your grandparents might have grown up being told to keep quiet at bedtime, today’s young adults are actually seeking out noise to help them sleep.

The numbers tell an interesting story. Among Gen Z—that’s people in their early to mid-20s—a whopping 49% say they need some kind of white noise or background sound to drift off to sleep. That’s nearly half of all young adults who find silence more disruptive than helpful when trying to get some shut-eye.

And it’s not just Gen Z. Millennials and Gen X aren’t far behind, with 41% and 40% respectively saying they use sound to help them sleep. Baby Boomers, on the other hand, seem to prefer the traditional quiet approach—only 32% of them report using white noise for sleep.

So what’s behind this dramatic shift? Chelsea Perry, who owns Sleep Solutions and holds a diplomate from the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, has some fascinating insights into why younger people might be reaching for their white noise machines.

“White noise can be a powerful sleep aid, especially for Gen Z, who are often immersed in a digital environment where silence is scarce,” Perry explained to Newsweek. Think of white noise as a kind of audio security blanket—it helps block out sudden disturbances that might otherwise jolt you awake.

Perry points to our increasingly digital lifestyle as a key factor in this trend. When you spend all day surrounded by the pings, rings, and notifications of smartphones and computers, your brain might need help transitioning to sleep mode. “For Gen Z in particular, the dependence on white noise could stem from the high exposure to screens and constant stimulation. Their minds may be more conditioned to need a form of soft noise as a signal to unwind,” she noted.

This shift in sleep preferences isn’t just about personal choice—it could have real implications for how we think about healthy sleep habits. The traditional advice of “keep it quiet at bedtime” might not work for everyone anymore. Just as we’ve learned that some people are night owls while others are early birds, we’re now discovering that some people simply sleep better with a bit of background noise.

These findings could influence the kinds of sleep products we see in the future. Companies might start developing more sophisticated white noise machines or apps that cater specifically to different age groups’ preferences. Your smartphone might even eventually learn your perfect sleep soundscape based on your age and personal preferences.

For parents and families, understanding these generational differences could help reduce bedtime tensions. If you’re a Baby Boomer who can’t understand why your Gen Z child needs a fan running to sleep, or a younger person wondering why your parents insist on complete silence, this research helps explain why everyone’s sleep needs might be different.

While Baby Boomers might prefer their silent nights, younger generations are writing their own rules for restful sleep. As sleep experts and healthcare providers take note of these changing preferences, we might need to rethink traditional advice about the “right” way to fall asleep—and acknowledge that sometimes, a little background noise might be just what the doctor ordered.

Survey Methodology

This research comes from an online survey conducted by Talker Research for Newsweek between November 2 and November 6, 2024. The study polled 1,000 Americans from different age groups to learn about their regular sleep patterns and how they use sound to help them sleep. The researchers paid special attention to how different generations approach sleep and their preferences for using white noise or other sounds as sleep aids.