Noisemakers to Aid Sleeping?

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Question:

NG is NewsGroup; CPAP is Continuous Positive Air Pressure. The CPAP machine is a small compressor that pumps air through a hose to a mask or other device fitted over your nose and held in place by headgear. The air pumped by the machine acts as a splint to keep your airway open. Kent Taylor

|> |>It’s probably worth noting on this NG that a CPAP is a source of |>white noise. |> |What do the letters of the acronym actually stand for, please? |– |Michael Forrest

Response:

>It’s probably worth noting on this NG that a CPAP is a source of >white noise.

What do the letters of the acronym actually stand for, please? — Michael Forrest

Response:

> > Increasing night-time noise by adding "white noise" or babbling > brook sounds (etc…) is extremely ill-advised as it can lead to long > term hearing damage. > Even when just used on vacation? Especially if they are the > sounds to which they are already familiar?

It’s probably worth noting on this NG that a CPAP is a source of white noise. I usually use plastic earplugs (child-size), both for sleeping in noisy hotel rooms at night and placed loosely in my ears for any scene that might get suddenly very noisy and trigger off my infrequent bouts of hyperacusus (in which everything sounds a hundred times louder than usual). > The only reliable way to *reduce* sound levels at your ear is to use ear > plugs. The foam type are preferred to wax for long term use. > Having spent the better parts of whole weeks with them in my > ears, the smooth soft plastic ones with the feathered edges are > vastly more comfortable.

I use the smooth medium-hard plastic ones with the tapered spaced disks. Do the kinds you like come in child-size? I’m an adult, but I need narrow earplugs. > I’ve tried sleeping with ear plugs, I can’t recommend it for sleep > effectiveness.

I don’t have any trouble falling asleep or staying asleep with earplugs. I do find my ears feel a little sore for the first half hour after I take them out, but after that they feel normal, and there’s no increasing soreness on later nights at the same noisy hotel. > And anyone who works around a street, a construction site, > heavy machinery, or heck, a fast moving river with almost any level of > rapids, probably won’t be able to detect any additional level of hearing loss

The first time I slept in a beach house, I find the sound of the surf disturbing, but I soon got used to it. I haven’t heard of studies proving that seaside residents suffer more hearing loss than those who live inland. (There are studies that link living very near an airport not just to loss of hearing but also to generally increased health risks, including increased chance of miscarriage, but that’s a LOT louder — and less constant.) And it’s known that musicians (not just rock musicians but those who play in classical orchestras) suffer hearing loss if they don’t use earplugs. > I think maybe the point you were trying to make is that when > one comes home, they might think about the real need for these devices. > If there is a real problem at home, a sleep disorders clinic, or > possible some accoustic paneling in the bedroom might be in order.

I also recommend double-glazed windows. –Lee Gold

Response:

> >Thanks to everyone who suggested a sleep soundmaker to help people on >vacation mask out the unfamiliar sounds of the place they are visiting. >Here is a summary of the responses, in alphabetical order, and a >mini-review of one of the units: > Miles, > Adding noise does not and can not "mask out" any noise, it merely adds > to it.

Are they really trying to mask them out by overwhelming them or merely introducing familiar ones? > Increasing night-time noise by adding "white noise" or babbling > brook sounds (etc…) is extremely ill-advised as it can lead to long > term hearing damage.

Even when just used on vacation? Especially if they are the sounds to which they are already familiar? > When asleep, your ear’s tolerance of noise is much less than when you > are awake. Research on this is difficult to carry out as the damage is > long term; it can take years for it to appear, even after you have > stopped abusing your ears.

I would add that it would be difficult to separate damage from sleep time noises from daytime noises without a fairly large statistical sample. > Nevertheless recent research suggests that 15dB(A) is a sensible maximum > safe sound level, however the limit could well be even lower than that.

Or apparently higher since research only "suggests" > In daytime terms, 15dB(A) is an extremely low sound level and the white > noise machines and "soothing" tapes and CDs are likely to be played at > much higher sound levels, especially if the ambient noise is high.

Since we’re throwing numbers around, define that "high" abient noise level. Oh, and is dB level really the significant factor or is the frequency content of the sound possibly more significant? It seems that if the ambient noise is so high as to encourage the continued playing of music much higher than 15 dB, THAT noise is probably the primary problem. > The only reliable way to *reduce* sound levels at your ear is to use ear > plugs. The foam type are preferred to wax for long term use.

Having spent the better parts of whole weeks with them in my ears, the smooth soft plastic ones with the feathered edges are vastly more comfortable. > For the avoidance of doubt, let me point out that permanent hearing loss > or damage does not occur straight away, or even within weeks of exposure > to loud sound. Remember, noise levels should be no more than 15dB(A) > when you are asleep.

Wait, I thought research merely suggested this number? > It may not occur to those of you using white noise and other sounds (in > the hope that they will allow you to sleep better) that your ears are > being damaged. If you want to read postings from people with hearing > problems (including long term hearing loss due to exposure to excessive > noise) try the Usenet newsgroup:

Do any of them have experience of hearing loss due to intentional sleep period sounds while on vacation? > alt.support.hearing-loss > I hope you will think again before adding to the problem: A more > considered approach will help *reduce* the risk of long term deafness.

I’ve tried sleeping with ear plugs, I can’t recommend it for sleep effectiveness. I’ve worked around white noise generators and the number one concern for me was the general increase in blood pressure. I can’t imagine using one to sleep by. But the background noise in any large office building just from the air handlers is amazingly loud (as you find out the first time it goes off). And anyone who works around a street, a construction site, heavy machinery, or heck, a fast moving river with almost any level of rapids, probably won’t be able to detect any additional level of hearing loss due to the occasional use of electronically generated familiar sounds during sleep while on vacation. I suspect that "research would suggest" that any contribution to hearing loss would be below the accuracy of any attempt to measure it (should anyone manage to get a grant to conduct such a study). Considering the other health benefits from restful sleep, I imagine it would be worth any risk that one might take to their hearing by using such devices while on vacation. Truth be known, if they live in such a loud city as to be disturbed by the quiet elsewhere, generating some while on vacation would also probably not measurably impact the amount of lifetime hearing loss they will already suffer. I think maybe the point you were trying to make is that when one comes home, they might think about the real need for these devices. If there is a real problem at home, a sleep disorders clinic, or possible some accoustic paneling in the bedroom might be in order.

Response:

>If you want a white-noise generator, rather than buying a "specialist" >device, just tune the AM radio (in your room?) to a space between stations, >set the Sleep mode and drift off to the static hiss……

This can have curious results. I once checked in about midnight and went to bed in a motel in Palm Beach Gardens (wrong side of the tracks from West Palm Beach). At four in the morning I was woken up by a very loud tuning signal followed by fast Spanish. The TV set had been left on by the staff before I checked in but the station had closed down before I got to the bedroom. It was Cuban exiles propaganda I rather sleepily worked out. PS – this was many years ago – I am sure the station runs all night now. — Michael Forrest

Response:

writes >Can someone suggest a device which I can use to drown out the stupid New >Yorker sleeping next door with his subway sounds? Maybe a 12 gauge shot >gun, huh?

Or a microphone, amplifier and speaker to feed it back to him even louder – or make it howl round till he turns it off. — Michael Forrest

Response:

>> SUMMARY OF ANSWERS AND MINI-REVIEW: > Thanks to everyone who suggested a sleep soundmaker to help people on > vacation mask out the unfamiliar sounds of the place they are visiting. > Here is a summary of the responses, in alphabetical order, and a > mini-review of one of the units: > e. Norelco Sound Selector (available from Skymall, http://www.skymall.com, > 800-SKY-MALL, U$60)

Norelco Sound Selectors are now being sold as Philips Sound Selectors. (Philips uses the Norelco name only in the USA.) I have a Philips ST300 sound selector myself. I’ve seen Philips Sound Selectors sold at Sears and Meijer stores.

Response:

Can someone suggest a device which I can use to drown out the stupid New Yorker sleeping next door with his subway sounds? Maybe a 12 gauge shot gun, huh? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> SUMMARY OF ANSWERS AND MINI-REVIEW: > Thanks to everyone who suggested a sleep soundmaker to help people on > vacation mask out the unfamiliar sounds of the place they are visiting. > Here is a summary of the responses, in alphabetical order, and a > mini-review of one of the units: > a. Brookstone (two models, cheaper about U$80, http://www.brookstone.com) > b. CD player with environmental-sounds CD > c. Devices for tinitus sufferers > d. Garage sale (Marpac Sleep-Mate, mechanical 115 VAC only) > e. Norelco Sound Selector (available from Skymall, http://www.skymall.com, > 800-SKY-MALL, U$60) > f. Radio Shack (U$40, 115 VAC only, page 249 of 1999 catalog) > g. Radio tuned to static between stations > h. Sharper Image (couple of models, http://www.sharperimage.com) > i. Some alarm clock/radios also make white noise > j. Walgreens (Alarm/radio/noisemaker and Conair #SU2 battery/AC > noisemaker, each U$20 and shelved between the diabetes testers and > incontinence supplies. A reader reported seeing a combination > noisemaker/aromatherapy unit at Walgreens.) > (without any of the spaces).

Response:

>Thanks to everyone who suggested a sleep soundmaker to help people on >vacation mask out the unfamiliar sounds of the place they are visiting. >Here is a summary of the responses, in alphabetical order, and a >mini-review of one of the units:

Miles, Adding noise does not and can not "mask out" any noise, it merely adds to it. Increasing night-time noise by adding "white noise" or babbling brook sounds (etc…) is extremely ill-advised as it can lead to long term hearing damage. When asleep, your ear’s tolerance of noise is much less than when you are awake. Research on this is difficult to carry out as the damage is long term; it can take years for it to appear, even after you have stopped abusing your ears. Nevertheless recent research suggests that 15dB(A) is a sensible maximum safe sound level, however the limit could well be even lower than that. In daytime terms, 15dB(A) is an extremely low sound level and the white noise machines and "soothing" tapes and CDs are likely to be played at much higher sound levels, especially if the ambient noise is high. The only reliable way to *reduce* sound levels at your ear is to use ear plugs. The foam type are preferred to wax for long term use. For the avoidance of doubt, let me point out that permanent hearing loss or damage does not occur straight away, or even within weeks of exposure to loud sound. Remember, noise levels should be no more than 15dB(A) when you are asleep. It may not occur to those of you using white noise and other sounds (in the hope that they will allow you to sleep better) that your ears are being damaged. If you want to read postings from people with hearing problems (including long term hearing loss due to exposure to excessive noise) try the Usenet newsgroup: alt.support.hearing-loss I hope you will think again before adding to the problem: A more considered approach will help *reduce* the risk of long term deafness. — Tony Polson, North Yorkshire, UK

Response:

If you want a white-noise generator, rather than buying a "specialist" device, just tune the AM radio (in your room?) to a space between stations, set the Sleep mode and drift off to the static hiss…… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> SUMMARY OF ANSWERS AND MINI-REVIEW: > Thanks to everyone who suggested a sleep soundmaker to help people on > vacation mask out the unfamiliar sounds of the place they are visiting. > Here is a summary of the responses, in alphabetical order, and a > mini-review of one of the units: > a. Brookstone (two models, cheaper about U$80, http://www.brookstone.com) > b. CD player with environmental-sounds CD > c. Devices for tinitus sufferers > d. Garage sale (Marpac Sleep-Mate, mechanical 115 VAC only) > e. Norelco Sound Selector (available from Skymall, http://www.skymall.com, > 800-SKY-MALL, U$60) > f. Radio Shack (U$40, 115 VAC only, page 249 of 1999 catalog) > g. Radio tuned to static between stations > h. Sharper Image (couple of models, http://www.sharperimage.com) > i. Some alarm clock/radios also make white noise > j. Walgreens (Alarm/radio/noisemaker and Conair #SU2 battery/AC > noisemaker, each U$20 and shelved between the diabetes testers and > incontinence supplies. A reader reported seeing a combination > noisemaker/aromatherapy unit at Walgreens.)

(without any of the spaces).

Response:

> There are CDs (and maybe tapes) of oceans, wind blowing through trees, > etc. which friends of mine have bought. I can’t point you to any particular > music stores or web pages, but knowing they’re out there should help. > –Lee Gold

Ever hear of Dan Gibson? I found him in Canada so I’m not sure if he is here in the States. I’ve just been back in the States for a month now and haven’t looked. He specializes in nature CD’s and they are wonderful. Bird songs, animal sounds, stream noises, and soothing music very well done. He has one called Ocean Surf, too. That’s the one we use constantly to sleep by. Jo

Response:

ORIGINAL POSTING: >Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to >assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and >(probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds >don’t match those around your house. >I’m reminded of a funny movie in which some New York City residents >had such a device…it played the sounds of car horns honking, sirens >blaring and people being mugged, which put them right to sleep :-)

SUMMARY OF ANSWERS AND MINI-REVIEW: Thanks to everyone who suggested a sleep soundmaker to help people on vacation mask out the unfamiliar sounds of the place they are visiting. Here is a summary of the responses, in alphabetical order, and a mini-review of one of the units: a. Brookstone (two models, cheaper about U$80, http://www.brookstone.com) b. CD player with environmental-sounds CD c. Devices for tinitus sufferers d. Garage sale (Marpac Sleep-Mate, mechanical 115 VAC only) e. Norelco Sound Selector (available from Skymall, http://www.skymall.com, 800-SKY-MALL, U$60) f. Radio Shack (U$40, 115 VAC only, page 249 of 1999 catalog) g. Radio tuned to static between stations h. Sharper Image (couple of models, http://www.sharperimage.com) i. Some alarm clock/radios also make white noise j. Walgreens (Alarm/radio/noisemaker and Conair #SU2 battery/AC noisemaker, each U$20 and shelved between the diabetes testers and incontinence supplies. A reader reported seeing a combination noisemaker/aromatherapy unit at Walgreens.) After researching, I purchased the U$20 Conair unit at Walgreens. It uses four AA cells or a wall-wart transformer (supplied), and plays these sounds: Stream, Heart Beat, White Noise, Ocean Waves, Summer Night and Tropical Forest. It has an optional 60-minute shutoff timer and a volume control. Battery life is unknown. Since the sounds are stored on a chip, they are repeated over and over again. The Tropical Forest sound has a noticeable cycle length of 13 seconds that would probably become objectionable, Ocean Waves has a definite cycle but of variable length, Heartbeat has a cycle (good!), but the other sounds do not have a noticeable cycle. I doubt that any of these units would help those cinematic New Yorkers described above, but they could help travellers from other places. — Miles Abernathy, 512-471-1600

Response:

>Strange as this may sound, I believe the sound coming from my CPAP is "white >noise",

What is a CPAP please? I misread it first time (smiley). — Michael Forrest

Response:

>I heard a talk by an acoustical consultant who had been called in to >solve the aircraft noise problem at the motel. His solution was to >install devices in the air conditioning outlets that created enough >white noise to mostly drown out the planes.

I wonder if anyone makes a unit that produces comforting snores? It would help me for those occasions when I am away from my spouse for the night in a strange hotel. (smiley) — Michael Forrest

Response:

Strange as this may sound, I believe the sound coming from my CPAP is "white noise", and has something to do with sleeping well. I have always considered the sound of the furnace blowing as white noise, and the blowing of the CPAP, although a little loder , is pretty much the same. Walgreens sells 3 or 4 different noise generators that are either plug in ofr battery operated. They even have one that is sound and smell! I place no stock in aromatherapy, but it is a big seller. They’ve combined the ocean wave sound with what they must think smells like the ocean. I can’t imagine that helping, but I bet they sell bunches. > – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to > assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and > (probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds > don’t match those around your house. > I’m reminded of a funny movie in which some New York residents had such a > device…it played the sounds of car horns honking, sirens blaring and > people being mugged, which put them right to sleep :-) > Thank you! > — > Miles Abernathy, 512-471-1600

Response:

BROOKSTONE…sells what you’re looking for, I think (I don’t know about battery powered). They have two different models. One is about $80.00, and another one that is slightly more expensive. They play various sounds–I think the more expensive one actually allows you to buy extra cartridges to add new sounds. I think they have a website…www.brookstone.com. Then again, Brookstone stores are in just about every large mall across America. Ted Russo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to > assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and > (probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds > don’t match those around your house. > I’m reminded of a funny movie in which some New York residents had such a > device…it played the sounds of car horns honking, sirens blaring and > people being mugged, which put them right to sleep :-) > Thank you! > — > Miles Abernathy, 512-471-1600

Response:

> I am not certain, but I think Radio Shack may carry noise generators.

For many years there was a Marriott motel# (low-rise) right off the north end of runway 15/33 at Washington National, and less than a mile away. This put it close to the path of 18/36, which is more heavily used. The location might have been the site of the Hot Shoppes* restaurant across from old Hoover Field+. I heard a talk by an acoustical consultant who had been called in to solve the aircraft noise problem at the motel. His solution was to install devices in the air conditioning outlets that created enough white noise to mostly drown out the planes. Bob C. # The motel went away quite a few years ago. * Marriott got its start as the Hot Shoppes chain. + Hoover Field was closed to allow the Pantagon to be built in its place. It was Washington’s commercial airport until National was built.

Response:

> Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to > assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and > (probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds > don’t match those around your house.

Hi, I carry a small am/fm/sw radio. I also don’t mind street side rooms… — "I won’t be wronged. I won’t be insulted. I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." J.B. Books / John Wayne

Response:

http://www.sharperimage.com

Response:

If you’re looking for white noise (static) just bring along a small radio and tune it between stations.

Response:

I am not certain, but I think Radio Shack may carry noise generators. Kent Taylor

|Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to |assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and |(probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds |don’t match those around your house. | |I’m reminded of a funny movie in which some New York residents had such a |device…it played the sounds of car horns honking, sirens blaring and |people being mugged, which put them right to sleep :-) | |Thank you! | |– |Miles Abernathy, 512-471-1600

Response:

The Sharper Image sells a couple of versions. The price depends upon the number of different noises: white noise, surf, jungle, etc. It’s a little bedside unit. You could probably order one from them on-line if you are not near a store.

Response:

Radio Shack sells one for 39.99. It works on 110 volts so is of no use overseas unless you also use a converter. On page 249 of 1999 catalog. HankH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to > assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and > (probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds > don’t match those around your house. > I’m reminded of a funny movie in which some New York residents had such a > device…it played the sounds of car horns honking, sirens blaring and > people being mugged, which put them right to sleep :-) > Thank you! > — > Miles Abernathy, 512-471-1600

Response:

There are CDs (and maybe tapes) of oceans, wind blowing through trees, etc. which friends of mine have bought. I can’t point you to any particular music stores or web pages, but knowing they’re out there should help. –Lee Gold

Response:

Can anyone suggest a source for an electronic device that makes noise to assist sleeping? I’m looking for something small, lightweight and (probably) battery powered, for use on vacations when the ambient sounds don’t match those around your house. I’m reminded of a funny movie in which some New York residents had such a device…it played the sounds of car horns honking, sirens blaring and people being mugged, which put them right to sleep :-) Thank you! — Miles Abernathy, 512-471-1600

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