Approximately 27% Experience Sleep Deprivation or Waking Up Due to Noise. "Traffic Noise" Ranks First Among Bothersome Sounds

■ Survey on Sleep and Noise

A morning after a good night's sleep allows you to start the day feeling refreshed.

On the other hand, many people have likely experienced waking up suddenly in the middle of the night.

One of the causes cited for this is "noise."

The sound of cars driving outside, living noises from the room next door, family members snoring—various sounds can be bothersome even while you sleep.

So, how many people are actually troubled by noise during sleep?

And how many people seek a quiet environment for their homes?

To find out, we conducted a questionnaire on "Sleep and Noise" targeting 500 men and women nationwide, in collaboration with Kosho Co., Ltd.

*When quoting the contents of this press release, please adhere to the following:
- State that the source is the "Survey by NEXER Inc. and Kosho Co., Ltd."
- Provide a link to Kosho Co., Ltd. (https://bouon-kosho.co.jp/)

"Questionnaire on Sleep and Noise" Survey Overview
Survey method: Online questionnaire
Survey period: May 13 to May 20, 2026
Target respondents: Men and women nationwide
Valid responses: 500 samples

Questions:
Question 1: Have you ever been unable to sleep or woken up due to "noise" during sleep?
Question 2: What specific noises bother you as sleep disturbances? (Multiple selections allowed)
Question 3: Please tell us the most bothersome noise and the reason.
Question 4: Are you currently taking any countermeasures against noise during sleep? (Multiple selections allowed)
Question 5: If you have the opportunity to choose a home in the future, to what extent will you prioritize "soundproofing performance" and a "quiet environment"?
Question 6: Please tell us the reason.
*As a rule, numbers are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not equal exactly 100%.

■ 27.0% Responded They "Have" Experienced Being "Unable to Sleep or Waking Up" Due to Noise During Sleep

First, we asked if respondents had ever experienced being unable to sleep or waking up due to noise during sleep.

As a result, 6.6% answered "frequently" and 20.4% answered "occasionally," totaling 27.0% who have experienced being troubled by noise during sleep. Conversely, 27.6% answered "rarely" and 45.4% answered "never."

About 1 in 4 people have had their sleep disturbed by noise, which is certainly not an insignificant number.

■ Traffic Noise Tops at 51.1%, Followed by Neighbors' Living Noises at 44.4%

Next, we asked those who had been troubled by noise what specific sounds bother them as sleep disturbances.

The most common response was "traffic noise (cars, trains, motorcycles, etc.)" at 51.1%.

This was followed by "neighbors' living noises (footsteps, voices, TV, etc.)" at 44.4% and "outdoor noises (construction, human voices, animal sounds, etc.)" at 36.3%.

Furthermore, we asked those bothered by noise about their most concerning noise and the reason. Here are some of the responses:

Please tell us the most bothersome noise and the reason.

- Because the sound of cars reverberates. (Female, 20s)
- The loud noise of motorcycles in the middle of the night. (Male, 20s)
- When the footsteps of children in the apartment above echoed late at night or early in the morning, my sleep was disturbed, and I felt irritated. (Female, 30s)
- I am very bothered by the noisy children next door because they scream and make a fuss with high-pitched voices. (Female, 30s)
- My family's snoring and coughing are loud. It surprises me and is bad for my heart. (Female, 30s)
- Young people's motorcycles on the weekends make me so angry I could kill, and it keeps me from sleeping. (Female, 30s)

The types of concerning noises varied, including sounds from outside like cars and motorcycles, living noises transmitted from upstairs or next door, and family snoring or coughing.

Additionally, comments like "irritated" and "bad for my heart" suggest that noise is not just loud but also affects sleep quality and mental composure. The desire for quiet during times like late at night or early morning seems to increase discomfort with noise.

■ 62.2% Responded They Take "No Specific Countermeasures" Against Sleep Noise

Next, we asked those who had been troubled by noise about their current noise countermeasures during sleep.

The most common answer was "take no specific countermeasures" at 62.2%.

Among those who do take measures, "using earplugs" followed at 14.1%, and "using soundproof/noise-insulating curtains" at 11.1%.

While some people adopt relatively easy measures like earplugs or soundproof curtains, it seems difficult for many to take the step of reviewing the soundproofing of their entire home.

■ 91.1% Responded They Will "Prioritize" Soundproofing Performance and a Quiet Environment When Choosing a Home

Finally, we asked those troubled by noise how much they will prioritize "soundproofing performance" and a "quiet environment" in future home selection.

The results showed that 40.7% "prioritize it highly" and 50.4% "prioritize it somewhat," combining for a total of 91.1%, indicating that a vast majority intend to emphasize soundproofing and quietness when choosing a residence. Only 8.1% answered "do not prioritize it much," and 0.7% said "do not prioritize it at all."

We also asked the reasons for prioritizing soundproofing performance and a quiet environment. Here are some excerpts:

Reasons for prioritizing soundproofing performance and a quiet environment

- Because I want to spend my time quietly. (Female, 20s)
- Because I am sensitive to sound. (Female, 20s)
- I want to live in a quiet indoor environment. (Male, 20s)
- Because I have suffered from noise problems before. (Female, 30s)
- Because I often need to think, a very quiet place is considered important. (Female, 30s)
- Because family noise won't improve even if the soundproofing performance is good. (Female, 30s)

Many voices expressed desires to "spend time quietly" and "live in a quiet indoor environment."

Also, responses like "because I am sensitive to sound" and "because I suffered from noise before" indicate that once people experience the stress of noise, many want to prioritize quietness in their next home.

In the previous question, over 60% of people said they took "no specific countermeasures" against noise.

Even if they are not taking concrete steps right now, many people seem to want to prioritize soundproofing performance and a quiet environment if given the chance to choose a home again.

■ Summary

In this survey, 27.0% responded that they have experienced being unable to sleep or waking up due to noise. Bothersome sounds cited include traffic noise from cars and motorcycles, neighbors' living noises, and family members' snoring and coughing, showing that sleep is affected by various sounds.

On the other hand, among those who have suffered from noise, 62.2% answered they "take no specific countermeasures." However, 91.1% stated they would prioritize soundproofing performance and a quiet environment when choosing a home in the future.

The noises people find bothersome differ, from family living noises to neighbors' sounds and outside traffic. Yet, to protect the quality of sleep, considering a home's soundproofing measures could be seen as one viable option.