White noise, pink noise and brown noise – oh my! What do the colors mean? Which one will help us sleep best?
Let’s take a look at some of the different types of noise.
White: A noise that contains “all frequencies across the spectrum of audible sound in equal measure,” the Sleep Foundation says. Running a box fan in your bedroom at night would be considered white noise, as the sound is consistent. TV static is another sound often associated with white noise.
Pink: These sounds are lower pitched than white noise. Many nature sounds are usually considered to be “pink noise.” Think soft rain, wind and ocean waves. “Because of the way the human ear works, people perceive pink noise as having a pleasant-sounding, balanced volume across frequencies,” the SF says.
Brown: This noise is similar to pink noise in that it includes nature sounds, but brown noises are considered to sound deeper. Examples include a strong waterfall or a thunderstorm.
As you determine which type of noise – if any – may improve your quality of sleep, keep this in mind: “People can use sound as a tool to get better sleep, but they shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that there are some basics they should be working on as well,” said Jean Tsai, a provider at the UCHealth Sleep Medicine Clinic on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. “Sound is not going to be the end-all, be-all that will give you good sleep.”
