Motivation and emotion/Book/2025/White noise and emotion

White noise and emotion:
How does "white noise" affect human emotion?

Overview

Case study Figure 1. Rain falling over the hills in Scotland "Listening to white noise put my life back on track" This what Megan Nolan, Irish author of Ordinary Human Failings reflected after experiencing some of the most stressful years of her life. Nolan has struggled with depression and the negative influence of the overwhelming noise that is the busy outside world. After experiencing how overwhelming life can be, Megan decided to listen to rain sounds (see Figure 1). This then resorted to pure "white noise". Megan's panic attacks became less frequent. The sound of white noise was Megan's safe place when she was in public, feeling like a panic attack was approaching, however she began to enjoy the white noise in her own private space, too. After experiencing a panic attack directly after checking the balance in her bank account, she immediately put her headphones on and played white noise. Megan was then able to stop her body from shuddering, and fall asleep. Megan states that because of this, she felt confident going to work the next day, and considers white noise to be "a kind of magic" . "It [white noise] not only drowns out my thoughts, but doesn’t actually allow them to exist at all for the time that I’m listening." (Nolan, 2019)

White noise is an audible sensation that consists of all audible frequencies at an equal intensity, played in unison. White noise can sometimes be referred to as "broadband noise" as white noise spans multiple bands of sound. Researchers have studied how white noise affects human behaviour for many years. It is found that white noise can help reduce crying in infants, improve work performance, potentially counteract symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and improve sleep (Summer, 2025).

Although white noise has been studied for many years to examine its influence on human behaviour, there is limited research focusing on the effects of white noise on human emotion. This chapter explores the effectiveness of white noise on human emotion and furthers develop the question of "how does white noise affect human emotion?"

Focus questions What is white noise? How does white noise affect human emotion? What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of white noise? How can white noise be used to regulate emotion?

What is white noise?

The concept of white noise comes from analogy with white light. Just as white light contains all visible wavelengths of light, white noise contains all audible frequencies in equal intensity. The term first appeared in the early 20th century in physics and electrical engineering to describe random signals with a flat spectral density. Engineers used it in testing electronic circuits and communication systems to simulate a random, unpredictable input signal. Early research on thermal noise (or Johnson-Nyquist noise) in electrical resistors—random electrical fluctuations due to temperature—also contributed to the conceptual development of white noise.

Figure 2. Television static

There are a broad range of coloured noises to explain the different types of frequencies in the sounds we hear.

Table 1.

The different types of coloured noise and what they represent.

Colour of Noise	Frequency Energy Pattern	How it Sounds	Examples	Common Uses
White Noise	Equal power at all audible frequencies	Static / hiss	TV or radio static (see Figure 2), a loud constant hiss, air-conditioner on full blast	Sleep aids, masking noise, audio testing
Pink Noise	Power decreases by 3 dB per octave (more low-frequency energy)	Softer, deeper hiss (less harsh than white)	Heavy rain, a steady shower, wind in trees	Sleep, relaxation, audio calibration
Brown/Red Noise	Power decreases by 6 dB per octave (even more low-frequency emphasis))	Deep rumble	Distant thunder, waterfall, ocean surf	Sleep, tinnitus relief, relaxation
Blue Noise	Power increases by 3 dB per octave (more high-frequency energy)	Sharp, hissy, high-pitched	Hissing radiator steam, high-pressure spray, sharp fizz	Dithering in audio/image processing
Violet/Purple Noise	Power increases by 6 dB per octave (very high-frequency heavy)	Very sharp hiss	Spraying compressed air, very sharp hiss like tearing fabric	Testing high-frequency hearing or electronics
Grey Noise	Adjusted so all frequencies sound equally loud to the human ear (takes ear sensitivity into account)	Balanced, “flat” to hearing	Like white noise, but balanced so it feels equally loud at all frequencies to human ears	Psychoacoustic research
Black Noise	Almost complete silence, with occasional random spikes	Sporadic sounds in quiet	Almost silence, with an occasional random pop, crack, or rustle	Certain experimental music, ambient art

Note. Information in table sourced from Colors of Noise Wikipedia article and A Complete Guide to Different Colored Noises and What They Do by BetterSleep, 2024.

Psychological science

White noise has been studied in psychological science due to its effects on attention, arousal, and emotional regulation. Its random and continuous nature makes it particularly effective at masking disruptive environmental noises, which can reduce stress and cognitive load (Söderlund & Sikström, 2012). Although there have been many studies around this topic, the effectiveness of using white noise as an emotional regulator differs with each individual. A meta-analysis on the influence on white noise on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) conducted by Nigg, J T et al (2024) concluded that the use of white noise modestly improves task performance in children, adolescents, and young adults with ADHD or heightened attentional difficulties. This can in turn, improve emotional stability and regulate stress in patients with ADHD. As this has been noted as one of the first formal meta-analytical studies of the effect of white noise on individuals with ADHD, further research is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

Key Points Moderate Brain Arousal Model (MBA) Emotion and stress modulation Load Theory of Attention Individual differences

Mechanisms of psychological effects

One key explanation comes from the Moderate Brain Arousal (MBA) model, which posits that cognitive performance and emotional regulation are optimised at moderate levels of neural arousal. White noise can enhance attention and reduce distractibility by slightly increasing neural activity through stochastic resonance—where a small amount of external noise amplifies weak neural signals (Söderlund et al., 2007). In individuals with lower baseline arousal, such as those with ADHD or heightened anxiety, this can improve focus, task performance, and even mood.

Emotion and stress modulation

White noise can also influence emotional states. Continuous, non-intrusive auditory stimulation can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety by masking sudden environmental sounds that might trigger stress responses. Studies have shown that white noise exposure can lower physiological markers of stress, such as heart rate and cortisol levels, and improve subjective reports of calmness (Awada, M et al.,2022). It is often used in therapeutic and clinical settings, for example, to facilitate sleep, enhance concentration, or create calming environments in hospitals.

Load theory of attention

The Load Theory of Attention, also known as Perceptual Load Theory, is a framework developed by Lavie (2005) and is relevant to a human beings emotional response to white noise. This theory suggests that our perceptual system has a limited capacity, and the amount of "perceptual load" from the environment determines how distractors a processed. Under high volumes of perceptual load (e.g. busy or noisy environments), unwanted or irrelevant stimuli can more easily break through our cognitive and emotional processing, which may increase stress. By masking distracting sounds from a stressful environment, white noise can reduce the effectiveness of unwanted stimuli. The reduction of unwanted auditory sensations may increase attention leading to improved focus, reduced anxiety, and greater emotional stability. Through understanding the process of the Load Theory of Attention, we can target how white noise may indirectly support emotional regulation through attentional mechanisms as well as brain arousal.

Individual Differences

Not everyone benefits equally from the effects of white noise. Research shows that the effectiveness depends on factors such as ADHD symptoms (inattentive vs. hyperactive/impulsive), baseline attention difficulties, anxiety, noise sensitivity, and even the volume of the noise itself (Shepherd, D et al., 2015). For example, children with more inattentive ADHD traits perform better under the influence of white noise, but those with hyperactive/impulsive traits may perform worse. In neurotypical adults, lower levels of white noise may reduce stress and improve performance, while higher levels of white noise may increase the likelihood of physiological stress (Söderlund et al., 2024). To regulate emotions using white noise in every individual unfortunately, is not achievable. It is important to understand the context in which white noise should be used, as well as tailored to each individual.

Case study Figure 1. Visual representation of a mental disorder Effects of White Noise on Patients with Schizophrenia Patients with schizophrenia often manifest signs of diminished social function, disinterest, loneliness, and helplessness at the early stages of the disorder. This can lead to negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. A study by Zhu and Zeng, 2024, found that continuous and soothing exposure to white noise helps in regulation physiological rhythms, facilitating a smooth transition between sleep and wakefulness. This was found to alleviate stress symptoms in patients, and ensure they experienced a restful sleep. This study aimed to look deeper into the effects of white noise on patients with schizophrenia, further than just improving sleeping habits. After 12 weeks of evaluating a sample size of 212 patients with schizophrenia, it was found that white noise aids in calming emotions. Through appropriate white noise stimulation, it mimicked the effects of relaxation and sedation to effectively ease the nervous tension in patients with schizophrenia, enhancing their sense of security and ultimately improving their mood.

How does "white noise" benefit well-being?

White noise has multiple benefits for our psychological well-being.

• Sleep improvement: White noise masks intermittent sounds that might disturb sleep, leading to better sleep continuity and quality (Zeng et al., 2019).
• Cognitive enhancement: In children with attention deficits, white noise has been shown to improve task performance and working memory (Söderlund & Sikström, 2012).
• Stress reduction: White noise in clinical or office settings can reduce perceived stress and improve emotional stability (Medvedev et al., 2015).

Test your knowledge! 1 What is white noise? A sound that contains only low-frequency vibrations, like a deep rumble A sound that contains only high-frequency vibrations, like a hiss A sound that contains all audible frequencies in equal intensity A sound produced only by electronic devices such as televisions 2 How can the Moderate Brain Arousal (MBA) model be used to measure the effectiveness of white noise on emotion? White noise can completely eliminate all stress-related emotions White noise can enhance attention by introducing a controlled amount of external noise, ultimately reducing stress and negative emotions White noise reduces the brain’s baseline arousal to zero White noise only affects people with perfect hearing 3 What is perceptual load? The physical weight of sound equipment How loud a sound must be to be heard Our internal capacity to process external stimuli The number of colours contained within a sound spectrum 4 What is white noise commonly used for? Increasing the volume of music tracks Sleep aids, masking noise, and audio testing Training animals to recognise commands Enhancing high-frequency hearing only

Physiological reactions to white noise

Moderate Brain Arousal Model

The Moderate Brain Arousal (MBA) Model, proposed by Sikström and Söderlund (2007), suggests that optimal cognitive performance is achieved when the brain operates at a moderate level of arousal. This model suggests that white noise can enhance attention by introducing a controlled amount of external noise, which interacts with the brain's internal neural noise through a mechanism known as stochastic resonance. In individuals with lower baseline dopamine levels, such as those with ADHD, white noise can elevate neural activity to an optimal level, thereby improving cognitive functions like sustained attention and working memory. On the contrary, for individuals with already high levels of internal noise, excessive white noise may lead to over-arousal and impaired performance. Studies have demonstrated that white noise can reduce reaction time variability and improve performance on tasks like the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test-3, particularly in children exhibiting ADHD symptoms.

Stochastic Resonance

Stochastic Resonance (SR) is a phenomenon from physics and neuroscience where adding a small amount of random noise to a weak signal makes that signal easier to detect. In other words, noise can "boost" a weak signal so that it can cross a detection threshold. SR was first described in nonlinear systems, but was later applied to sensory and cognitive processes in humans. White noise is one of the most common types of random noise used to produce stochastic resonance. As it contains a wide range of frequencies at equal intensity, it is ideal for stimulating sensory systems. When the brain or sensory system is working with a weak or sub-threshold signal (like a faint sound), adding white noise can increase the likelihood that neurons fire in unison, effectively enhancing the signal (Likens et al., 2020). A study by Tanaka et al., 2010 states that normal-hearing individuals demonstrated that synchronisation of neural activation with a periodic auditory stimulus applied to the left ear, improved with additive white noise applied to the right ear (measured by the Auditory Steady-State Response). This study is able to assist us in understanding why white noise can have a positive effect on neurological responses as well as psychological.

Key Takeaways: White noise contains all audible frequencies at equal intensity and is often used to mask environmental sounds. The Moderate Brain Arousal (MBA) model suggests that moderate external noise, like white noise, can enhance attention and regulate emotions by optimising neural arousal. Practical benefits include improved sleep, reduced stress, enhanced concentration, and support for individuals with ADHD, anxiety, or schizophrenia. Load Theory of Attention proposes that white noise may reduce perceptual load from competing stimuli, indirectly supporting emotional stability.

Conclusion

The conclusion from psychological science is that white noise can have a positive effect on human emotion, but limitations are evident as further scientific research is required to determine whether white noise is truly beneficial. White noise is not only an auditory stimulus containing all audible frequencies at equal intensity, but a tool capable of shaping attention, arousal, and emotional regulation. The Moderate Brain Arousal (MBA) model explains how a moderate level of external noise can enhance attention and cognitive performance, particularly in those with low baseline arousal, which may reduce stress and other negative emotions. Similarly, stochastic resonance shows how random noise can amplify weak neural signals, potentially improving sensory and emotional processing. More recent perspectives such as the Load Theory of Attention shows how white noise may reduce the perceptual load from unwanted audible stimuli, indirectly supporting emotional stability. Overall, white noise can be a valuable intervention for modulating attention and emotion, but its application should be tailored to specific contexts as there are individual differences in brain arousal and attention in each individual.

See also

• Auditory brainstem response (Wikipedia)
• Pink noise (Wikipedia)
• Sound and mood (Book chapter, 2017)

References

Awada, M., Becerik-Gerber, B., Lucas, G. et al. Cognitive performance, creativity and stress levels of neurotypical young adults under different white noise levels. Sci Rep 12 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18862-w

Hövel, H., Breukelaar, I. A., Münchau, A., & Beste, C. (2023). White noise stimulation boosts perceptual learning in humans. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1221336

Lavie, N. (2005). Distracted and confused?: Selective attention under load. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(2), 75–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2004.12.004

Likens, A. D., Kent, J. A., Sloan, C. I., Wurdeman, S. R., & Stergiou, N. (2020). Stochastic resonance reduces sway and gait variability in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation: A pilot study. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, Article 573700. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.573700

Matthews, P., Raul, P., Ward, L. M., van Boxtel, J. J.A. Stochastic resonance in the sensory systems and its applications in neural prosthetics. (2024). Clinical Neurophysiology, 165(Supplement C). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2024.07.004

Nigg, J. T., Bruton, A., Kozlowski, M. B., Johnstone, J. M., & Karalunas, S. L. (2024). Systematic review and meta-analysis: Do white noise and pink noise help with attention in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-8567(24)00074-1

Pickens, T. A., Khan, S. P., & Berlau, D. J. (2019). White noise as a possible therapeutic option for children with ADHD. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 42, 151–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.012

Schuler, A.-L., Brkić, D., Ferrazzi, G., Arcara, G., Marinazzo, D., & Pellegrino, G. (2023). Auditory white noise exposure results in intrinsic cortical excitability changes. iScience, 26(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107387

Shepherd, D., Heinonen-Guzejev, M., Hautus, M. J., & Heikkilä, K. (2015). Elucidating the relationship between noise sensitivity and personality. Noise & Health, 17(76), 165-171. https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.155850

Söderlund, G., & Sikström, S. (2008). Positive effects of noise on cognitive performance: Explaining the Moderate Brain Arousal model. Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem (ICBEN). https://www.icben.org/2008/PDFs/Soederlund_Sikstroem.pdf

Söderlund, G. B. W., Hadjikhani, N., Thorsson, M., E-Said, S., Claesdotter-Knutsson, E., Gustafsson, P., & Johnels, J. Å. (2024). Sensory white noise in clinical ADHD: Who benefits from noise, and who performs worse? Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 12(1), 92-99. https://doi.org/10.2478/sjcapp-2024-0010

External links

• A Complete Guide to Different Colored Noises and What They Do (BetterSleep)
• Distinct dimensions of emotion in the human brain and their representation on the cortical surface (NeuroImage)
• Sounding it out: ‘Listening to white noise put my life back on track’ (The Guardian)