But how low is the risk? To find out, we review A review of the literature on white noise machines for infants, recently published in the journal Sleep Medicine, found that all of the devices tested were shockingly loud.
There are no uniform standards for noise exposure from consumer products such as white noise machines. However, for occupational noise, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established Recommendation Limit your exposure to less than 85 decibels for eight hours and 82 decibels for 16 hours. This is roughly the same as listening to a lawnmower for eight hours or standing in a busy area for 16 hours.
Toddlers sleep 10 to 12 hours a night, but infants 16 hours in a dayOur research found that 24 white noise machines and 6 phone apps were capable of producing sounds that violate NIOSH guidelines for an 8-hour work shift. Some of the white noise machines: 91 decibels — about the same level as a Metrorail train sprinting through a station at full speed.
Most parents probably don’t set their white noise machines to maximum volume, but this finding means that setting a white noise machine to maximum volume during a normal night’s sleep exposes children to noises that could cause permanent hearing damage.
Changing the type of sound (music, static, rumbles, tones, etc.) won’t make the sound safer, but lowering the volume will. In general, white noise machines should be set to the lowest volume that helps your child fall asleep. We recommend a volume of 60 decibels or less.
Can white noise machines damage your hearing?
Exposure to white noise at near-maximum volume is harmful in a number of ways. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can: Cause Mechanical stress to inner ear sensory hair cells, inflammatory damage to their supporting structures, and damage to the nerve endings of hair cells, which destroy the tiny hair-like receptor proteins on their surface, leading to cell death and loss of supporting cells.
Our study builds on this by showing that exposure to white noise in young children is of further concern as it may affect their physiological and social development. In animal models exposed to noise levels of 60-80 decibels, Growth retardation Vocal development and Delayed neuronal development In the auditory processing center of the brain.
Similarly, studies of children in noisy environments such as traffic, trains and planes have shown negative effects on sleep. interval,Sleeping disorder, Cognition development, active problem, read Proficiency and Even changes in brain images Areas related to language development.
What is a safe level for a white noise machine?
White noise in the moderate range can promote sleep without harming children or parents. Studies have found that white noise at 60 decibels or less, about the volume of a quiet conversation, can reduce nighttime awakenings, increase sleep duration, and improve sleep efficiency (time spent asleep in bed).
To check if your white noise machine is at a safe volume, purchase a decibel meter online or download an app for your smartphone. NIOSH states: Free App The NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app, tailored specifically for iPhone.
Set the white noise machine to a normal volume and place a decibel meter where your child sleeps. The sound intensity should be well below 82 decibels.
Lt. Col. Isaac Elbel is Associate Program Director, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio. Capt. Russell DeJong is a Resident in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Brooke Army Medical Center, Wilford Hall Outpatient Surgery Center, the Department of Defense, or any agency under the U.S. Government.
