White noise vs Pink noise vs Brown noise: What’s the Difference?
Productivity
You may already be familiar with white noise and its benefits, especially if you’re someone who has trouble sleeping, or concentrating or if you’re someone who suffers from tinnitus.
The reason why white noise is often used as an aid in such cases is because of its capability to mask other sounds.
Imagine you’re in a silent room at night trying to fall asleep. Your partner’s snoring, the dog’s barking, a big truck passing by. Any sudden noise will wake you up and keep you awake, hindering you from getting a good night’s sleep.
However, if you listen to white noise while sleeping, it will create a more consistent sound environment around you, and any additional sudden noise will just blend in with what you’re already hearing and without actually disturbing you.
This is why white noise is powerful. But do you know about the benefits of pink noise and brown noise? Yes, apart from white noise, there are also other color noises and each one of them has its own use and benefits.
So what is the difference between white noise, pink noise and brown noise? Here’s a look at the different color noises and how you can use them to your advantage.
White Noise
White noise is the sound you get when you combine all the different audible frequencies of sound in equal intensity at the same time. The name white noise comes from the analogy to white light, which contains all the light frequencies in the visible range.
The sound of white noise is often likened to the hiss or static noise that comes from an untuned radio or television, and it is similar to rustling leaves or the wind among the trees.
White noise has various benefits and applications. Due to its masking capability, it is widely known and used to enhance privacy, but it can also help you concentrate while working and studying and help you fall asleep and improve your sleep quality. White noise is also widely used by parents to soothe babies, can help you concentrate if you have ADHD or help you if you suffer from tinnitus.
Pink Noise
Pink noise, compared to white noise, is more intense in the lower-frequencies end of the spectrum and softer at the higher end.
Being gentler and more soothing than white noise, pink noise is often regarded as a more pleasant and relaxing alternative to white noise.
Pink noise is often likened to the whoosh of a steady and consistent rainfall or the gentle crashing of waves.
Brown Noise
Brown noise is even deeper and stronger in the lower-frequencies and without the higher-end frequency sounds of white noise and pink noise.
Brown noise is often compared to the sound of a rumbling waterfall, a distant thunder or the gentle rumble of the ocean.
Common benefits associated with brown noise are relaxation, improved focus and sleep improvement.
What noise is best for sleep?
White noise is often the first recommendation if you have problems falling asleep, live in a noisy neighbourhood or suffer from insomnia. If you don’t like white noise and prefer a gentler alternative you can opt for pink noise or brown noise.
Alternatively, you can also combine white noise, pink noise or brown noise with other natural sounds such as rain,rustling leaves or the calming sound of the sea to create a relaxing and soothing constant sound environment to help you sleep.
Remember that sleep is different for everyone, so give each of the sounds a try and see which solution works best for you.
Written by Stefano Merlo
