If you're someone who loves the sound of thunder or crashing waves, you may already be familiar with white noise and pink noise. However, there's another frequency to try: Brown noise. Brown noise, also known as red noise, is a type of noise that emphasises lower-frequency sounds, and it has the deepest intensity of all noises. It sounds like a low roar or rumbling.
Here, we'll explore what brown noise is, how it differs from other noise colours and types, and the benefits it can offer, including helping you sleep better and improving your concentration and focus.
Brown Noise vs. Other Noise Types
The colour of a certain noise is based on its frequency, with the lowest frequencies of sound being red, like the lowest frequencies of visible light. The highest frequencies of sound are violet. White noise contains all frequencies at an equal volume, while brown noise also contains all frequencies but places a larger emphasis on lower frequencies. This means that higher pitched sounds are quieter and low tones are louder. Brown noise sounds less "sharp" than white noise, as it has rounder, more soothing characteristics.
Examples of brown noise include thunder, crashing waves, heavy rain, strong waterfalls, and a shower. Pink noise falls between white and brown noise and places a larger emphasis on high frequencies than brown noise, but less than white noise. Blue noise has high frequencies that come in a little louder than low frequencies, while violet noise has louder high frequencies than low frequencies.
The Benefits of Brown Noise
While brown noise may sound a little "rougher" than other noises, it can still have a calming effect. Rhythmic brown noises, such as crashing waves and heavy rain, may help lower your heart rate and calm your breathing, making it easier to fall asleep. It can also help cut down on distractions, making it a great tool for focusing while working or studying.
In addition, brown noise may have a positive impact on your working memory by increasing the firing rate of neurons in your brain, promoting quicker access to stored information. This could have benefits for people living with ADHD, improving their attention span and helping them focus better.
Brown noise can also help promote relaxation, reducing stress and creating a calm environment. For those with tinnitus, a condition that causes a constant ringing in the ears, brown noise can help mask the ringing and promote relaxation.
Where to Find Brown Noise
Here's something we found on YouTube that plays 8 hours of brown noise! Great for a full day of work:
When listening to brown noise, it's essential to keep the sound no louder than speaking volume, especially if you plan to listen to it throughout the day. If you can still hear the sound when you hold your headphones at arm's length, you might want to consider turning it down.
Headphones can help minimise distractions and improve focus in noisy environments, while speakers are better for stimulating the brain while working at home without having to wear headphones for several hours in a row. For those with tinnitus, either headphones or speakers can be used, with the most important factor being the suppression of the ringing in the ears.
While research on brown noise remains limited, existing evidence suggests that it may have potential to help improve focus, concentration, and sleep, especially for those living with ADHD. With the various options available for accessing brown noise, it's worth trying out to see if it can benefit you.
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