Is there any halacha regarding an alarm clock that wakes one spouse who wants to get up at say 4am, if it also wakes the spouse, who doesn’t want to get up then and will have trouble falling back asleep. the situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Spouse who wants to get up had a hard time waking up and the alarm goes off for an extended time and sometimes they don’t wake up anyway
Answer:
While I am not aware of any section in Shulchan Aruch that deals with alarm clocks, there is certainly a concern of בין אדם לחבירו when one disturbs another’s sleep. If this was a question of 2 room mates or a neighbors alarm clock perhaps we would find a source in the complex Laws of שכנים, neighbors taught extensively in the Gemara Bava Basra and in Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat. Is this comparable to a metalsmith who opens up shop in an apartment building or perhaps a tanner of skins who disturbs his neighbors. In a dispute between 2 neighbors we would probably have to determine if the noise is being done in a way and time that is the accepted norm for that society. However here where the issue is between husband and wife, I think the sections of the Talmud we should focus on are the ones that demand endless patience, respect, understanding, love and care form husband to wife and vice versa. Two spouses dedicated to these ideals should be able to come up with a solution. Perhaps a strong vibrating alarm would work. I believe vibrating bracelet alarm clocks are available [search online] specifically designed for issues like these.
