Search over 1.4 million articles by over 600 experts
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Sleep Disorders

More from About.com

Browse Topics A-Z

What Is White Noise?

Guest Article by Reg Furlough

From About.com

Created: November 22, 2003

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

WHAT IS WHITE NOISE?

You keep hearing and reading about all the wonderful properties of this magical "white noise" and how it helps humans (and even animals) relax and sleep. Before we look at what white noise is used for and how to add it to your environment, let us first examine what white noise really is.

To understand the promise of white noise, one must first understand its mechanics. In its purest form, it is not really noise at all. White noise, which is also known as white sound, is a combination of sound frequencies in equal amounts. Just like a white beam of light is made up of all the colors in the color spectrum, white noise is made up of all the sound frequencies.

Because it incorporates all sound frequencies from high sounds to very low sounds, it has a very beneficial noise canceling or "masking" effect.

But what does the white noise sound like? Well, the best description would be to say it sounds like a slow soothing "whoosh." Many say it is the sound of the rain, or the waves gently caressing the shore, or the wind blowing through the trees.

It is a very peaceful sound that is instinctively soothing and calming to the ears and minds of humans of all ages. White noise is actually a sound given to us by Mother Nature, in the same way as she has provided us with water and air. To learn more about the properties of white noise, you may choose to read about it on HowStuffWorks.com.

 

About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Sleep Disorders
  4. Insomnia
  5. Alternative Methods
  6. What Is White Noise?

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.