Sleep health trends: Rise in sleep divorces and use of noise-blocking earbuds

Recent data from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine indicates that approximately 31 percent of Americans tried a ‘sleep divorce’ in 2025, a practice where partners sleep in separate beds or rooms to minimize nighttime disruptions. This trend is most prevalent among adults aged 35–44, with 39 percent participating. Experts note that the practice is often intended to prioritize sleep health rather than signal relationship instability.

To address sleep disruptions like snoring or environmental noise, some individuals are turning to specialized sleep earbuds. These devices utilize passive isolation, active noise cancellation, or noise masking to create a quieter environment. A 2025 pilot study involving Bose noise-masking Sleepbuds found that participants reported improved sleep quality and a reduction in sleep-onset time. Modern sleep earbuds are designed with lower profiles to accommodate side sleeping and reduce pressure from pillows.