You may have heard of people using white noise to help them get a peaceful night’s rest, but did you know that other colour noises exist to help out with sleep too?
According to Sleep of Sound, the reason why noises wake people up at night is not because of the noise itself but because of the sudden change in noise. People would then opt to use white noise to mask these changes, allowing our brains the benefit of a more consistent sonic environment.
WebMD provides more information about white, pink and brown noise.
White noise
The most popular colour type, white noise contains all frequencies found in the spectrum of sounds you can hear in equal parts and is often called ‘broadband noise.’ Using a mix of sound frequencies to create a static-like sound, white noise can be intense and high-pitched.
Studies have shown that it can help to improve sleep, reduce crying in babies, improve work performance and lower ADHD symptoms.
Example sounds of white noise include:
- A fan a
- An air conditioner
- A vacuum
Pink noise
Pink noise is described as a constant sound in the background, filtering out distracting sounds like people talking or cars going. Like white noise, pink noise is a steady background hum used to help you sleep. However, it has a lower pitch and uses deeper sounds and lower sound waves to filter out higher sounds, making it gentler and more soothing.
Example sounds of pink noise include:
- Steady rain
- Wind rustling through trees
- Waves on a beach
Brown noise
Also referred to as red noise, brown noise produces a rumbling, deeper sound with a bass-like tone. The sound level also decreases as the frequency goes up, more than it does in pink noise.
Studies have shown that brown noise improves thinking skills and might help lower symptoms if you have ringing in your ears.
Example sounds of brown noise include:
- Steady heavy rainfall
- A shower with good pressure
Also see: Ways to calm a crying baby at night
