On this Psychology Behind the Headlines, hosts Jessica Reyes and Patricia Wu are joined by therapist, Ryan Heapy to discuss new research on a common parenting tool. White noise machines are popular for helping children sleep, but a new study raises concerns about their safety. Researchers found that all tested devices could produce sounds exceeding recommended noise levels, potentially causing permanent hearing loss in children.
Louder Than You Think
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends limiting noise exposure to 85 decibels over eight hours. However, many white noise machines can reach volumes of 91 decibels or higher. While most parents may not use the maximum setting, the study highlights the risk of prolonged exposure to loud white noise.
Mental and Physical Effects
In addition to hearing damage, loud white noise may negatively impact children’s development. Studies have linked high ambient noise to stunted vocal development, delayed neuron growth, sleep disturbances, and cognitive and behavioral issues.
However, white noise at lower volumes can still be beneficial. Research suggests that white noise at 60 decibels or less can improve sleep duration and efficiency in children.
Safe Usage of White Noise Machines
To ensure safe usage, parents should keep white noise machines at the lowest effective volume and use a decibel meter or app to measure the sound level where the child sleeps. NIOSH offers a free app for iPhones called the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app.
To learn more about Ryan Heapy and his work check out his website.
