White noise
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0White noise
White Noise is the reference synthesised noise, with uniform spectral density across the audible range (20 Hz to 20 kHz). The name comes by analogy with white light, which contains all wavelengths. It is the most neutral of acoustic backgrounds: no events, no rhythm, no emphasised frequencies, just a continuous shhh.
Therapeutic use of white noise has been documented since the 1960s. In a classic study, Spencer and colleagues (Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1990) showed that switching on white noise for newborns cut falling-asleep time from 23 minutes to 5, one of the strongest non-pharmacological effects in paediatric somnology. It works by masking external sounds that would otherwise cause micro-arousals. The effect is smaller for adults but still clinically significant: Stanchina and colleagues (Sleep Medicine, 2005) documented improved sleep architecture in ICU patients when white noise was used.
White noise has one important drawback. Spectrally it is weighted toward high frequencies, because at equal power per octave the higher octaves carry more energy, and to many ears it sounds harsh. If it irritates you, try pink or brown noise instead. White noise is good for masking neighbours, helping children and adults with mild insomnia fall asleep, focused work in noisy spaces, tinnitus masking, and as a reference signal for audio engineers. Pairs with Pink Noise, Brown Noise and Air Conditioner.
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ReduxSound v1.0.0
Ambient sound mixer for relaxation and focus