Ambient noise can be described as background sounds that surround you in your environment. They can be natural and man-made, examples include: rain, birds chirping, flowing water, air conditioning units humming, and traffic noise. The use of this type of sound is prevalent in video and film work because it provides audio continuity between shots and scenes. It also prevents unnatural spans of silence when no other sound is present.
Ambient noise can also help you achieve better sleep. While we’re asleep our brains continue to process sounds unconsciously and jarring noises can cause unwanted sleep disruptions. While we can’t control the sounds outside of our bedroom, utilizing ambient noise can help mask these sound disturbances.
“It’s very important that the room is quiet — that’s the optimal situation for sleep,” Dr. Christopher Winter, a neurologist and sleep medicine doctor in Charlottesville, Virginia, explains. “But noise machines do a good job if the individual is not capable of conditioning the sound of their room.”
Many turn to standard plug-in white noise players or curated streaming playlists to help them sleep. The sounds are steady but unpredictable, just enough to lock in our focus without being overly stimulating.
“There’s really nothing there to process — it’s a very basic, nonrepetitive sound,” Winter adds about white noise. “It’s an ambient noise that… passes through our consciousness and doesn’t really arouse any emotion.”
Want to play around with using ambient noise to help you sleep? Specially curated playlists and sleep albums have become an accessible solution for many seeking better quality rest. This series of five sleep-promoting playlists below were created by Endel, a sound technology that generates real-time personalized soundscapes to enhance sleep, relaxation, and focus. Endel’s core algorithm is based on circadian rhythms, pentatonic scale, and sound masking. These playlists, created by Berlin-based team of artists, developers, and scientists, feature scientifically proven and expertly crafted sleep sounds to help you enjoy the benefits of restorative slumber.
Click the “play” button below to preview the Clear Night, Cloudy Night, Rainy Night, Foggy Morning, and Cloudy Afternoon playlists! Choose “listen” in the top right corner if you wish to view the full album via the streaming service of your choice.
Clear Night Preview
Cloudy Night Preview
Rainy Night Preview
Foggy Morning Preview
Cloudy Afternoon Preview
Forget traditional white noise machines and stop wasting time searching the internet for the best sleep sounds. Make your bedtime routine more effective by using these five playlists full of ambient noise to help you get to sleep and stay asleep!
If you like ambient noise videos for sleep, enjoy this relaxing water shower sound video as relaxing ambient noise for bedtime or relaxation.
