April 26 marks International Noise Awareness Day, a moment to reflect on something many of us take for granted until it’s taken away from us – peace and quiet.

Like many people who travel regularly for work, I spend a significant amount of time in hotel rooms. Most stays blur into one another: a clean room, a comfortable bed and, importantly, a quiet night’s sleep. It’s something I rely on more than I probably realise. Sleep, after all, is not a luxury – it’s essential.

Recently, however, that expectation was shattered.

During a stay in East London, I experienced something many people face not just for a night, but day after day. The room next to mine became a source of constant disturbance. Loud arguments echoed through the walls. Doors slammed. Visitors came and went at all hours. Music played late into the night – or rather, early into the morning – not stopping until around 4 a.m.

The results were predictable: broken sleep, frustration, exhaustion.

I am someone who needs a solid eight hours to function well. That night, I got nowhere near it. The following day was a struggle – i was mentally foggy, physically drained and far less effective than I needed to be.

What stayed with me most was not just the tiredness, but the realisation that if one night could have such an impact, what would it feel like to live like that all the time?

For many people, this type of occurrence isn’t an isolated incident; it’s their everyday reality.

Persistent noise nuisance is more than an annoyance. It is a genuine public health issue. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can lead to sleep deprivation, increased stress levels, anxiety and even long-term cardiovascular problems. It disrupts not only rest, but also relationships, productivity and overall quality of life.

Yet, too often, the seriousness of noise is underestimated. It becomes background. Something to tolerate. Something that will ‘probably stop soon’.

But what if it doesn’t? What if your home – the place that should feel safest – becomes a source of constant disruption?

My experience, brief as it was, has strengthened my resolve. It has reinforced just how important it is to take noise complaints seriously and to act quickly when they arise. No one should feel powerless in their own home.

This is where practical tools can make a real difference. Solutions like The Noise App give people a way to document disturbances as they happen, creating clear, time-stamped evidence that can be shared with local authorities or housing providers. It transforms a subjective complaint into something tangible and actionable.

And that matters. Because behind every noise complaint is a person – or a family – whose wellbeing is being affected.

International Noise Awareness Day is not just about raising awareness. It is about recognising the real human impact of excessive noise and ensuring it is treated with the urgency it deserves.

A single sleepless night reminded me of something important: quiet is not just comfort – it is health. And it is something worth protecting.

In the lead-up to Noise Action Week (11–15 May), I’ve also recorded a special episode of the RHE Global Podcast exploring the complexities of neighbour noise, from its impact on health and wellbeing to the importance of empathy, understanding and practical action in tackling noise nuisance. You can listen to the episode here.