White noise is the art of using consistent background noise to cover up distracting sounds in an environment. This technology can be priceless when you need to concentrate and ignore the disruptive noise around you. It can create a productive environment, even when there are distracting sounds all around you.

Here are a few of the ways you can utilize white noise in your daily life.

1. For work. On average, a person loses up to two hours of work time each day due to distractions. The constant conversations and ringing phones can significantly lower your productivity. White noise at your desk can help you tune out these distractions. Better yet, sound masking throughout the office space can provide this benefit to the entire office.

2. For sleep. Do you ever have trouble falling (or staying) asleep because of annoying sounds? Using a sound machine while sleeping will mask the annoying sounds from neighbors or street noise, helping you sleep better with fewer interruptions.

3. For kids. Sound machines can work wonders with kid's sensitive sleep schedules. Maybe your children are sharing a room for the first time, or you want them to easily sleep through the noise of your dinner party. White noise can ensure good, uninterrupted sleep for your little ones, which means better sleep for you, too.

4. For relaxation. When you come home from work and are ready to relax, the last thing you want to hear is the neighbor's dog barking or cars honking on the street. You can relax to the sounds of nature found on many household sound machines. Enjoy the sound of the sea as you sit down to read a good book.

5. For tinnitus. Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus can be very distracting and uncomfortable. The irritation caused by tinnitus can be lessened though the use of sound therapy, letting you relax.