If you use a white noise machine, you probably know that it can make a big difference for anyone struggling to fall asleep and get a good night’s rest. A lot of people find the noise calming, claiming that it allows them to sleep through the night and feel refreshed in the morning.
But is having a white noise machine on all night safe? And does it have any potential negative side effects you should be aware of? Stay tuned to find out!
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White Noise Explained
White noise refers to a sound that contains all frequencies that the human ear can pick up on at the same time. All of the frequencies have the same intensity, which gives the noise a soothing and even rhythm.
Due to its calming nature, many people play white noise while sleeping or resting. It helps them clear their mind and relax enough to fall asleep. In addition, it is excellent at masking snoring and any other noises or sounds that might disturb a person as they rest.
To be effective, this type of noise should only be used in the background. In other words, it shouldn’t be so loud it actually disrupts your peace and makes you anxious or nervous.
Is White Noise Safe?
As of right now, there is no evidence which proves that white noise machines are unsafe for adults. Most models on the market never exceed 80 decibels even on the highest setting, meaning that they cannot harm your ears or cause any severe long-term side effects.
However, matters are slightly different when it comes to infants and younger children. Namely, their eras are a lot more sensitive, so you have to be extra careful when using white noise to help them sleep.
For one, you should place your white noise machine at least 7 feet away from your sleeping baby. In addition, the machine’s volume should never exceed 45 decibels, as that is the hospital-recommended level of noise for babies under 18 months old.
Similar rules are also valid for children that are slightly older. So, you should keep the machine at a low setting, and try to put it as far away from your child’s bed or cot as you can manage.
If you follow these rules, your white noise machine will be just as safe for your child as it is for you. Thus, it’ll help them sleep soundly throughout the night, allowing you to get some rest as well.
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Is It Safe to Keep a White Noise Machine on All Night?
Yes, it is indeed safe to let the machine run all night. In fact, doing so might also be more beneficial, as it will create a stable and reliable environment for someone to sleep in. That can, in turn, help them sleep better overall.
If you are the one using the machine, don’t be scared of leaving it on all night. Play around with volumes and sound profiles until you find the one that suits you best, and go to sleep as usual.
Of course, if you keep waking up during the night and the constant buzzing bothers you, it’s better to turn the machine off. For some people, the noise is only soothing right as they’re falling asleep, after which it becomes agitating.
In such a case, it might be a good idea to get a model with a timer. That way, you’ll be able to set it to turn off after a certain amount of time, which will allow you to sleep without any disturbances.
What About Babies?
As for infants, it is also fully safe to let them sleep with a white noise machine on for the entire night. In fact, turning it off halfway might turn out to be counterproductive.
Namely, it is a well-known fact that most babies wake up several times during the night. If they find their environment the same as when they fell asleep, they usually go right back to napping without making any fuss.
However, they can get anxious and start crying if their environment has changed in any way. In other words, not hearing the white noise might actually upset them. After that, falling asleep on their own probably won’t be possible.
So, it might be best to keep the machine running all night. Just make sure you’re complying with all the distance and noise level recommendations, and your infant will be fully safe.
Of course, not all babies are the same. Thus, it’s also important to pay attention to how your baby reacts to the absence or presence of the noise. If they don’t wake up or start crying because you’ve turned the machine off, you can keep doing it. As long as they are peaceful and get enough rest, you can stick to any machine schedule you want.
The Same Goes for Older Children
If your child is older, pretty much the same rules apply. Continuous white noise won’t harm them in any way, so there’s no need to worry about keeping the machine on all night. If it helps them sleep, you can do it without any fear.
When your child starts communicating with you and becomes more independent, you can also inquire about their own preferences. Ask them if the machine helps them and if they’d like to change anything.
Although it might seem silly, this piece of advice can be quite helpful. No matter how small they are, most kids will always express their emotions clearly. Thus, it is important to listen to them and act accordingly.
To Sum Up
As you can see, white noise can truly do a lot to help people — both kids and adults — sleep better at night. One white noise machine can make all the difference between a sleepless night and one full of rest and relaxation.
For most people, that is only possible if the machine is on the whole night. Fortunately, such practices are completely safe and won’t harm your hearing or cause any other negative side effects. Having the machine on all night is also safe for babies and toddlers, as long as the volume is low and the machine is at a safe distance from them.
So, don’t worry any longer. Turn your machine on, get comfortable, and sleep well!
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