| White noise can be compared to its optical | | | | as simple domestic appliances, and are also |
| equivalent, white light. You know what white | | | | incorporated into radios and bedside clock |
| light is don't you? It's light that contains | | | | alarms. They are very soothing to the ear. |
| all the frequencies of the visible spectrum. | | | | |
| A black object absorbs all light and has no | | | | The basis of white noise is that the full |
| light spectrum, while a white object reflects | | | | range of frequencies can mask extraneous |
| all light, and has a constant flat light | | | | sound, which is why it is frequently used to |
| spectrum. White noise consists of a flat | | | | help improve the concentration of people |
| noise spectrum over a range of audible | | | | suffering from attention deficit disorder by |
| frequencies. To | | | | masking sound distractions in their |
| put it more simply, white noise is like the | | | | environment. However, it not just humans that |
| hissing sound you hear on a radio when there | | | | are soothed by this background noise. Animals |
| is no signal. It is also akin to the | | | | are also affected by white sound. It is used |
| background noise radio astronomers hear from | | | | to pacify incessantly barking dogs and |
| space when there is no specific signal, or | | | | animals suffering from certain disorders |
| like air hissing from a balloon. This | | | | caused by separation or fear. White noise has |
| combination of frequencies is very soothing | | | | as much a soporific effect on animals as it |
| and can be used for a variety of purposes, | | | | has on humans. Sleep is very important to |
| not the least of which is to promote sleep. | | | | human beings, and a lack of sleep can result |
| | | | in reduced concentration that in certain |
| In fact, true white noise has a rather harsh | | | | occupations have resulted in serious |
| sound, and the noise produced by 'white | | | | accidents and even deaths. There are many |
| noise' machines is often called 'pink noise' | | | | reasons for sleep deprivation, but it has |
| but the name is academic. They are frequently | | | | been proved that white noise is highly |
| use by tinnitus sufferers since the white | | | | soporific. For some reason, people like that |
| noise tends to mask the ringing sound of | | | | quiet hiss in their ears as they try to |
| tinnitus in the ears. Tinnitus, or ringing in | | | | sleep, and white noise machines are gaining |
| the ears, is a very irritating condition | | | | in popularity because of it. However, the |
| frequently without known cause or treatment, | | | | biggest incentive for new parents is that a |
| and is also a symptom of Ménière's | | | | white noise machine will probably enable you |
| disease, a disorder of the inner ear that | | | | have a decent night's sleep once your child |
| causes vertigo, and white noise provides a | | | | has gone past the night feeding stage. There |
| contrast between the ringing and an absence | | | | are many reasons for children to cry, and you |
| of any noise that reduces the apparent level | | | | should never ignore a crying child, but white |
| of sound. There is not a doubt that it is | | | | noise will allow them, and you, to sleep at |
| soothing to the human ear and is a proven | | | | nights if their crying is through tiredness |
| sleep aid, especially for children. If your | | | | or colic. The most amazing aspect of white |
| child finds it difficult to get off to sleep, | | | | noise is that it has so many uses, yet so |
| or suffers from colic, a white noise sleep | | | | many people do not yet know what it is and |
| aid can be of great benefit - to children and | | | | what it can do to improve their quality of |
| parents! Such aids are available commercially | | | | life. |