White noise
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0White noise
"White Noise" is the reference synthesised noise with uniform spectral density across all frequencies in the audible range (20 Hz – 20 kHz). The name "white" is by analogy with white light, which contains all wavelengths. This is the most "neutral" of all acoustic backgrounds: no events, no rhythm, no emphasised frequencies — just a continuous "shhh."
Therapeutic use of white noise has been known since the 1960s. Spencer and colleagues (Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1990), in a classic study, showed that switching on white noise for newborns reduced falling-asleep time from 23 minutes to 5 minutes — one of the strongest non-pharmacological effects in paediatric somnology. The mechanism is masking external sounds that would otherwise cause micro-arousals. The effect is smaller for adults but 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 "cold," weighted toward high frequencies (because at equal power per octave higher octaves carry more energy), and for many people it sounds "harsh." If it irritates you, try pink or brown noise. Use white noise to mask neighbours, to help children and adults with mild insomnia fall asleep, for focused work in noisy spaces, for people with tinnitus (as a "masker"), and as a reference for audio engineers. Pairs with Pink Noise, Brown Noise, Air Conditioner.
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ReduxSound v1.0.0
Ambient sound mixer for relaxation and focus