White Noise for Baby Sleep A Few Recommendations
Recently, more and more parents have been using white noise machines to help their babies sleep. The machines produce a constant sound similar to that of a shower or radio static.
Some machines can also produce other types of sounds, such as nature sounds (rain, wind, etc.), mechanical sounds (trains, traffic, etc.), and heartbeat sounds. Their goal: to soothe the child and hide ambient noise that may disturb their sleep.
Are They Recommended?
What about the potential risk to hearing? The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the risk of developing hearing loss increases when adults are exposed to more than 75 dBA of noise (e.g. vacuum cleaner) for eight hours. However, this standard should be more conservative for a child who is developing hearing and language; their smaller auditory canal causes their ears to receive sound in a different way, meaning that some sounds are amplified differently. In hospitals, the standard for neonatal units is around 50 dBA (e.g. moderate rainfall), but this standard varies from one reference to another.
In 2014, a study was conducted on 14 white noise generators. It measured sound output at the ear height of a child, at maximum volume. This study revealed that, at a distance of 30 cm and 1 m from the bed, every machine tested exceeded the recommended level of 50 dBA. What’s more, almost all of the machines exceeded this level at a distance of 2 m as well.
What can be taken from this study is that some recommendations should be considered to make the most of the device and limit potential hearing damage:
- Place the machine as far from the baby as possible
- Choose a model that allows volume control and use the lowest volume
- Limit duration of use (e.g. use a timer or turn the machine off once the child has fallen asleep)
ADVICE Most families have devices that can produce a similar effect, without having to pay for a specific machine (e.g. fan, air purifier, humidifier, air conditioning, etc.). A tinnitus mask, available in Lobe clinics, can also produce the desired effect. Just consider the same recommendations to protect your baby’s hearing.
To learn more, talk to an audiologist.