The benefits and harms of white noise
First, let's understand what white noise is. This is a stationary signal, in which the spectral components are evenly distributed in the range of high, medium and low frequencies. Simply put, it covers all sounds that the human ear recognizes. That is why it is not harmful, like most noises, but on the contrary, it is useful.
How does white noise work?
Remember when your mother used to rock you as a baby, saying "shhhh"? You may not remember, but on a subconscious level it remains. There's a monotone hiss - and there's white noise. Still similar sounds are made by a waterfall, a stream, raindrops, leaves. There is a theory that it is the white noise we hear in the uterus: it consists of sounds of the heart and other organs, as well as muffled external signals. The main thing is that it sounds measured and constant.
White noise has been proven to help calm a person, as a result, he relaxes and falls asleep. It is also used to hide acoustic stimuli - unwanted sounds that can interfere with normal sleep.
What is white noise for?
White noise is used for sleep - when you need to tune in to a relaxing wave and fall asleep peacefully. Can be used at any age.
For children
White noise for babies is used in cases where they are hyperactive and cannot sleep soundly. Babies older than 1 year usually have no problem falling asleep. But if they are restless, the white noise to listen to before bed will not be superfluous.
Children
Most often, white noise is used for children. With her help the child:
It's easy to calm down - especially if you haven't been able to distract your baby by rocking or nursing.
He falls asleep quickly - usually within 5 minutes of turning on the noise.
He sleeps soundly - sleep becomes long and deep.
Don't wake up to strange sounds - even if the street is screaming loudly and neighbors turn on the drill, baby will still sleep.
White noise for newborns is a relief not only for the child, but also for the mother. You don't have to soothe baby every 20 minutes - there's more time for other things or just you.
Adults
Today, white noise for adults is actively used in various gadgets. There are special apps, playlists, headphones that generate it. It helps to relax, as well as mask tinnitus (tinnitus) for those who have this problem.
Sorry for the white noise
If you use white noise too often, the damage can be addictive. It is believed that the brain loses the ability to relax without external sound stimuli. In fact, this theory has not been completed and all people are affected by background noise.
Some scientists have hypothesized that it is bad for the brain to receive random information for a long time - this reduces the ability to concentrate. However, studies have yet to confirm that white noise harms the nervous system and the body.
Another theory is that prolonged exposure to white noise damages your hearing. This can only be true if its volume is above 50 dB. If you listen to these sounds at a moderate level, it won't hurt.
Contraindications for white noise
Some people don't like this kind of relaxation - they just can't stand background noise. They get annoyed by the monotonous hissing, making it impossible to fall asleep under it. In this case, you can use alternative means of falling asleep - such as earplugs for sleeping.
see the noise
Background noise is classified by color, and white is just one of the variants. There are other options:
Pink - flashing noise, helps concentration, fights depression and neurosis.
Brown - is perceived by the ear as warmer than white, but can resonate with the abdominal organs and cause failure of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Blue - is perceived sharply and can cause discomfort.
There are also grey, orange, green and other sounds.
Side effects
White noise not only has benefits, but also side effects. They occur if you use it too often or at high volume. In this case, dependence and hearing loss may occur. So if you don't want to take any risks, it's better to use ear plugs.
Reviews and opinions of experts
If you ask your parents, they usually love white noise. They like that the baby falls asleep peacefully and sleeps without being capricious. Experts are generally okay with white noise, but warn that it is not to be admired. They say that healthy sleep also requires other components: daily routine, proper diet, health care.
It is also important to understand that not all babies normally perceive background hissing. If this method does not suit them, you can try special earplugs for sleeping, which are designed for newborns.
10 дек 2021
