ElI5: How do the white noise machines used in therapist offices work?
In: Engineering
Classical, original, white noise machine was basically a mechanical fan (and still is). By varying the speed of the fan, it generated a hum, basically a series of notes of different frequencies over a broad range, with similar intensity. Because sound waves like all other waves will interact with each other, this noise would interact with the sounds around you and either destructively interfere some of it, or simply cover it up.
White noise machines are typically just simplified digital music players that contain a library of pre-recorded sounds edited so that they can be played in an endless loop.
If you listen to the average white noise generator carefully enough you’ll find that the loops last as little as 30 sec to a couple of minutes. Which for something like a fireplace that’s supposed to be random it can be a tad disconcerting.
Prior to this they sold CDs and tapes that served the same purpose.
Playing white noise in the background helps keep part of the brain busy and for a lot of people it has a calming effect.
In my case I use one to help me sleep. Not only does it have a calming effect but more importantly it helps drone out my persistent tinnitus.
Buddy I’m assuming it’s just a regular speaker. There are even different kinds of *coloured* noises, grey noise, pink noise. YouTube it
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