White sound works on the same principle as white light- when all the possible tones that are audible to the human ear are mixed together, white sound is created. Describing white noise is like describing almost 20,000 tones of all the frequencies possible playing at the same time and canceling each other out in the process. The resultant sound that is emitted by white noise sound machines is similar to the whooshing sound created by an air conditioner or the constantly rotating sound of a fan.
How It Works
Simply put, white sound has a neutralizing effect on all disruptive sounds. When there are two or three people talking at the same time, the brain usually picks out one of these voices and listens to it. However the brain is unable to distinguish one voice when there are over a thousand people talking all at once. White sound is the equivalent to several voices of different frequencies, all talking at the same time, which renders the ears incapable of hearing any more external noises. Noise machines, which produce white noise, are extremely effective in masking annoying sounds thereby promoting better sleep and enhanced concentration in offices and schools.
Where Machines Are Used
White noise machines can be used in a multitude of places for many different reasons. They are increasingly being used to promote sleep in homes and hotels, to enhance concentration in college dorms and libraries and to provide privacy in offices and cubicles.
White sound machines promote uninterrupted sleep by blocking out loud annoying sounds such as those made by blaring music and televisions, dogs barking, car horns, loud neighbors, airplanes and snoring. They are particularly effective as sleep aids for individuals who suffer from tinnitus, an irritating ringing in the ears and for colicky babies.
When used in college dorms white noise machines enhance concentration by drowning out sounds of music systems and televisions and the constant chatter of dorm-mates.
Sound machines also find use in offices to masking the sounds of keyboard clicking or typing, manufacturing noises, conversations and other office sounds, boosting focus and concentration among the employees. White noise machines also offer cubicle privacy in the office.
Dentists, counselors and therapists are increasingly using white sound machines to ensure their patients' confidentiality and oral privacy.
Travel noise machines are ideal for using in hotels during overseas travel.
Sound machines are devices that produce white noise, which is essentially a flat sound spectrum that is a combination of various sounds having different wavelengths and frequencies. The resultant humming background sound is very soothing to the human ear and promotes relaxation and sleep. White noise sound machines typically play sounds such as beach sounds, noises found naturally in nature, sound of water flowing, the wind blowing and other soothing sounds that have a calming effect on anybody. They bring in natural, soothing sounds and keep out loud, annoying noises.
Sound machines are very effective in masking noises created by barking dogs, traffic and other loud street and neighborhood noises. They can be used to calm and soothe the mind as well as the body and also to help the mind from getting distracted by external noises and annoyances. Sound machines come in very useful for people suffering from tinnitus and those who work the graveyard shift and are looking forward to some undisturbed sleep during the day. They are also effective in calming down babies that are upset or colicky.
Besides being of great use in a home, sound machines are equally helpful in offices or college dorms. They help enhance office concentration by blocking out annoying noises made by typing or phone calls and in college dorms they improve study skills and concentration by masking conversations and loud music played by dorm-mates. Therapists are increasing using white noise sound machines to offer patients assistance in relaxing.
High-end sound machines are specially designed to produce multiple choices of white noises in a constant stream, so that they can be effective in many different situations. These machines also feature buttons or knobs that can be use to control the choice as well as the volume of the music. Individuals can choose which device to buy depending on their personal preference of sound as well as the purpose they want to buy it for.
The Sound oasis is an innovative sound machine that offers users the added advantage of creating their own personalized sound environment that is conducive to sleep and relaxation. It features six authentic nature sounds that are built in, including the sounds of the stream, ocean surf, wind, summer night, rain and white noise. What's more it also offers users a sound card technology that can be used for adding additional sounds. Realistic sound reproduction is provided by extra-long sound tracks and digital playback technology. It has four timer positions including 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and continuous playback.