[OneInBillions]

Hello. I'm wondering if anyone here could give me a recommendation for a noise machine that I could use to improve my sleep.

I'm a very light sleeper - I wake up at the slightest noise, or change in noise. For the past two years I've been using a humidifier that masks a lot of the noise around the house, especially as the parents get up earlier than I do. Lately though, it's started rattling because the lid isn't perfectly fitted to the base, and it wakes me up all the time.

I think I'd do better with an actual noise machine but I don't know where to start. I think I'd prefer something like the constant hum of a fan or motor, although too much hissing gives me tinnitus.

Anyone else sleep with a noise machine?

[Crazy Hitch]

Hello OneInBillions

This is a great question.

I hope that you can get some answers.

I found this good blog here on PsychCentral you might want to read - okay - it seems to be written for Ts but still a good read -

Drug-Free Ways to Help Your Clients Sleep | Psych Central Professional

This is a good one too:

How a Schedule Can Help You Sleep Better | World of Psychology

Last one:

Getting a Good Night?s Sleep | Mental Health Awareness

Good luck with everything.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hello OneInBillions

This is a great question.

I hope that you can get some answers.

I found this good blog here on PsychCentral you might want to read - okay - it seems to be written for Ts but still a good read -

Drug-Free Ways to Help Your Clients Sleep | Psych Central Professional

This is a good one too:

How a Schedule Can Help You Sleep Better | World of Psychology

Last one:

Getting a Good Night?s Sleep | Mental Health Awareness

Good luck with everything.

[MusicMike]

I need noise cover too, as I sleep in the daytime often, and my neighbors and roommates are noisy. What I do is play tracks of different kinds of noises on my stereo speakers. Most young people these days don't own speakers, but if you do, or you get some, you might have a large selection of tracks to download that have nature sounds, or rain, or ocean sounds, etc. But to tell you the truth I get all my nature sounds from CDs (I'm old school) so I can't really tell you what's out there. I also make some of my own noise tracks using software (I used to work as a programmer and electrical engineer).

Most noise machines have very tiny speakers which means the noise is concentrated at high frequencies. That is more likely to give you tinnitus. If you purchase a speaker system, try to get larger ones. They can have more bass sounds. This can also cover low frequency sounds better.

However, new speaker systems these days are priced at outrageous levels. Young people don't know that 30 years ago everyone had speakers and big speakers were inexpensive. Today a tiny, crappy stereo costs $300. It's outrageous. Maybe you can get older equipment on Ebay.

I don't know anything about noise machines other than that they have tiny speakers, so I can't help you there. If you want any technical help with speakers, send me a PM.

Mike

[orangyred]

I use a fan on high. It works pretty well for drowning out most noises. But we don't have a very noisy house either. I do like that I can't hear the yappy dogs next door when I'm trying to sleep.

I did download some water noises from "official white noise collection" back in February. I haven't tried to use that to sleep at home, but I used it on the plane and it really cut out the noise as well.

[slummerville]

I also use a fan/AC to drown out noises in addition to earplugs. If you have tinnitus, as I do, the earplugs can amplify it but I find it relatively easy to ignore in the face of outside noisy-ness.
One of my coworkers (we work nights) uses an app on her smartphone to create white noise and places it right next to her head when she sleeps.

[Perna]

I use to sleep with a box fan. it was much better than a humidifier for making the "right" amount of sound. But there are a lot of good noise machines (just search Amazon for ideas) for like $20-$30 depending on what sound you might like (rain, surf, etc.) Here's a review of the "best" according to some site:

Sound Machine Review 2015 | Best Noise Machine | Sleep Better with a Noise Generator - TopTenREVIEWS

[mountain human]

I once had a very noisy window AC and slept well when it was on, it blocked out all the noises. Ever since, I have a loud fan next to my bed like others have suggested. I have insomnia but don't get woke up by cars, dogs, etc. Can't even hear the phone! Now I can hardly sleep without my fan, even take it on trips. Weird thing is, I can't sleep with tv or music on, which works for lots of people.

I need sound to sleep. I use a fan and I play an audio book or a relaxation recording (with lots of talking).

There are several videos on Youtube of white noise - box fans, washing machines, clothes dryers (I've used this one), vacuum cleaners - you name it, someone has uploaded 8 to 10 hours of it looped.

Good luck! I'm also a light sleeper (when I do sleep) and it's no fun.