What is white noise?

White noise gets its name from white light which includes all the colors of the spectrum. White noise includes indistinguishable sounds from the entire audible sound spectrum. For best sound coverage, today's technology only uses sound from the range of human speech.

First, let's consider the idea of adding noise to a work environment in order to improve the sound quality. Picture for a moment that you are in a dark room and someone across the room is randomly blinking a flashlight at you. The flashlight is very distracting and even irritating. But what happens if someone turns on the overhead lights? You hardly notice the flashlight because it is covered by the bright overhead lights.

Sound can work the same way; distracting noises can be hidden by the adding general background sound. This can cover the distractions of conversations, street noises, and other intrusive sounds.

Does white noise really work?

White noise, when used correctly, really can mask conversations and other noises that interrupt your work or sleep. Government agencies were the first to apply this technology because of its effectiveness. Other industries have also greatly benefited from the privacy and productivity white noise can provide. The result is that private conversations are not overheard, and office noise is not longer a huge distraction for workers.

Why use white noise?

White noise helps you tune out interruptive sounds. Here are a few of the many applications for white noise.

Less distraction at work - The constant conversations in the workplace can break your concentration and lower your productivity. A personal white noise machine allows you to tune out this noise. Sound masking throughout the office space can provide this benefit to the entire office.

Improved privacy and confidentiality - For example, in a doctor's office or hospital, sound masking systems use white noise to cover the conversation in the hallway or neighboring room, so other patients do not overhear you personal information.

Less interrupted sleep - White noise can help you sleep through street noise, or unfamiliar sounds while traveling, resulting in a better night's sleep.

Sound therapy for tinnitus - Sound machines have been successfully use to lower the discomfort of tinnitus, or 'ringing in your ears.'