Left: Electro-mechanical sound machines use an older design that physically moves air to create noise. They’re effectively blocked and it’s like they don’t exist at all! How sound machines generate noise The result is that the noise is covered up (also called masking) and your brain won’t detect the outside sounds anymore. Sound machines produce sound patterns by one of the methods I’ll describe in the next section.Īs long as the unwanted sound volume isn’t louder than the sound produced by the machine our brains will only register what the white noise machine is generating. That’s the principle behind how sound machines work: The frequencies we can hear are masked by white noise, whether it’s outside traffic, the radio or TV, or your neighbor’s conversation in a nearby apartment. We’ve all been in situations where everyone’s talking at the same and yet and no one is really “heard” because the voices seem to drown each other out. Our brains can’t process a lot of audio information at once. With a few exceptions, nearly all nearby sounds with low or moderate volume – traffic, conversations, coworkers – all the frequencies that we can hear can be blocked. Need a low-cost and practical way to prevent people from hearing unwanted noise from outside the bathroom? Sound machines are an effective option.Īs long as the volume of any inside or outside sound is equal to or less than the volume of noise made by the machine it can and go unnoticed. By doing so, these devices “mask” (cover), and therefore block, unwanted noises that bother us. White noise machines produce a range of sound across all the frequencies that our ears can detect. Additionally, in cases where you’ve got a larger room or more difficult sounds to block you can use more than one. Instead, it’s often best to put them several feet away to mask noise more effectively as they’ll cover more area and block incoming sounds throughout the room. Location is important!Īlthough you might think it’s a good idea, in truth, it’s not best to put one really close to where you’ll spend the most time like your couch, desk, or bed. To get the most out of your new white noise machine (whether it’s one or several you’ve bought) keep placement in mind. The best solution that’s practical and affordable is to use a sound machine. While electric fans like box fans are one option for making white noise, they’re not efficient and definitely aren’t portable. Unless we’re expecting outside sounds – like attending a sporting event – when they are unwanted it can really have a negative impact on our well-being. It can grab our attention and not let go, causing us to lose focus and get stressed out quickly. Our brains are naturally distracted by sound. Some can work from battery power or a USB phone charger as well. Because most are compact they fit into baggage easily. They’re also especially great for traveling.
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