What are noise colors?
Noise colors are different audible sounds that contain varying frequencies.
Summary
What is white noise?
Andsome people can find white noise jarringbecause high pitches or heavier bass can be startling.
This is whywhite noise machinesare often used to promote a peaceful bedroom environment.
What is brown noise?
More specifically, brown noise has a deeper intensity than white noise and sounds like a low roar.
This would be like a rushing river or a strong wind.
Brown noise has been mostly studied for sleep since its less disturbing2 than white noise.
However, theres very little research on it.
Most studies look at white noise and dont compare the effects of different noise colors.
Is one better?
How do they compare to other noise colors?
Beyond white and brown noise, there are other noise colors too.
When discussing frequencies, all colors are compared to white noise, which has a flat spectrum.
How do I choose the right noise color?
This is where things can get a little more complicated.
Hearing loss can also affect noise perception and which sound will work better for someone.
Tinnitus is a self-perceived ringing, buzzing or humming sound in one or both ears.
It can be soft, loud, constant or intermittent; barely noticeable or very annoying, even debilitating.
In severe cases of tinnitus, noises like white and pink noise can be part of atinnitus retraining therapyprogram.
LectroFan
LectroFanis one of the most popular sound machines.
It can be played through your devices speaker or via headphones while you sleep.
This is around the sameintensity as a vacuum cleaner or blow dryer, she says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sleep with brown or white noise?
This is largely up to you.
Because of this, its often recommended over white noise for sleep.
What is brown noise best for?
That being said, if you find nature sounds relaxing, youll probably benefit from listening to brown noise.
But things get a little murkier when discussing specific sound colors.