Did you know that noises can be distinguished by color? The color is determined by the noise’s strength and frequency. Frequency is defined as the quickness at which the sound waves vibrates each second. Tight and short sound waves mean higher frequency, while more rhythmic and long sound waves mean lower frequency. Although everyone seeks comfort and enjoyment in different noises, there has been certain colored noise that can help individuals fall asleep faster.
White noise: White noise contains all frequencies equally with some hissing sounds mixed in. Sounds that can be classified as white noise are vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, and TV static.
Red noise: Red noise is also referred to as brown noise. Red noise is low in frequency and has a deeper sound compared to other colored noises. Red noise can sound like a very fast waterfall to some people, but it can also sound like heavy rain or even a thunder storm to others.
Pink noise: Pink noise is a mixture of white and red noise. It is deeper and warmer than white noise but can also mask various background noises due to its resemblance to “heavy water flow” like red noise. Pink noise produces a flat and soothing sound.
Blue noise: Blue noise has a higher frequency and pitch than white noise. It can be thought of as the hissing part of white noise. It is not very soothing, and can even be disturbing to some.
Violet noise: Violet noise is also referred to as purple noise. Violet noise has a higher pitch than blue noise, making it sound harsh and can cause ringing in the ears if listened to for too long.
Green noise: When you think of green noise, think about nature. Green noise is more soothing and is best for individuals who are more sensitive to noises.
Orange noise: Orange noise is more harsh to the ears as the tones seem to clash with one another. To most people, orange noise doesn’t have a defined tune and is kind of all over the place.
Gray noise: Gray noise sounds the same at every frequency. There is not one concrete sound that can be labeled as gray noise because everyone has a different level of sound sensitivity.
Black noise: Black noise is purely silence.
Best Sounds for Sleep
White, green, and pink noises have been identified as the noises that can help individuals fall and stay asleep, given no other noises interfere. This is because white noise contains all frequencies equally, making it a patternless noise—so it is easier on the ears. Green noise is the most soothing and relaxing because it resembles nature. However, its limited frequency range may not be as appealing to some. Pink noise can be more relaxing than white noise because it is less “boring” due to its lower pitch that identifies with sounds such as steady rainfall or ocean waves.
Generally, low frequency noises are preferred and often used to promote sleep. Some individuals may also prefer the silence of black noise because it means the there are no disturbances. Unfortunately, it is rare that a setting is completely silent as there are always something that projects some level of noise or we begin to notice more subtle nosies due to the silence. However, there is no harm in experimenting with what colored noise, or noises, work best for you.
References:
Connaghan, T. (2021). The difference between types of noise. eMastered. https://emastered.com/blog/different-types-of-noise
Kahn, J. & Wu, C. (2024). 10 best noises & sounds for sleep and which ones to avoid. RISE. https://www.risescience.com/blog/best-sleep-sounds-noises-for-sleep
McCoy, A. & Hsu, P. C. (2023). E ultimate guide to colored noise. Sleepopolis. https://sleepopolis.com/education/the-ultimate-guide-to-colored-noise/
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