White Noise Machine

[ilovebrie]

Has anyone ever used one of these at night to mask the dreaded 'hum' that sounds like a fridge compressor? I can't trace the source, but it's definitely not in the house. Other noises - cars, seagulls, people, and so on don't bother me at all.
I would really like to hear other people's experiences of how they manage this noise, or should I invest in a machine? I don't want a radio burbling all night. Thanks for any answers/advice.

[murraymints]

I have the radio on LBC low....if you need white noise only put on radio but off station !

[riptide]

So l am not the only one who hears this noise. I have been round the house at night trying to find the source and came to the conclusion it was the electric meter humming when the fridge came on in the kitchen, perhaps not then. I have tinnitus so this noise irritates it, usually put the radio on very low which helps. Never heard of a machine to help, must look into this possibility, although I have not noticed the noise so much lately. Do you have an electricity sub station nearby, could be that.

[murraymints]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&;field-keywords=white+noise+machine

lots there riptide !

[ilovebrie]

Hello, riptide and murraymints
I have had tinnitus (hissing type) for about 3 years and can handle it well. I had wondered if the hum was an increase/variation in the tinnitus, but that doesn't seem to be the case, as visitors can hear it too - but only after I mention it.
There is no substation near me, just a BT connection box on a pole nearby.
It's really frustrating. At the moment, I use a fan to mask the hum, but that's obviously not practical in winter.
I read once that the hum has been reported in the Bristol area, but I'm nowhere near there.
Murraymints - what is LBC?
Very interesting, this whole hum thing.

[Old_Geezer]

eading Britain's Conversation
A talk radio station. Broadcasts in London.

[Old_Geezer]

L...
Like I $/&&$#@ typed !!!!!!! €

[murraymints]

http://www.lbc.co.uk/

a talk radio station..some good things through the night...

I can never stay in department stores long..the buzz from lights and especially in white goods/ tv/ hi fi areas...buzzing drives me mad !!

..fridge/freezer and the street light here are my biggest bugbear !!

[murraymints]

uk now OG ..on digital..

[MantaRay]

Yes, I tried a white noise machine to help me sleep during the day when I worked nights. It did help. some of the sound spa's available also included other sounds, birds, seashore, forest, even a heartbeat sound which gave me strange dreams. You could also try getting an internet radio where there are now quite a number of "ambient" sound stations available...though some of these restful stations include adverts that blare out and wake you up again! There is a huge selection of these ambient stations available so I'm sure you'd find some suitable ones.

[EDDIE51]

There is a web site information and map for 'Hum' hearers
http://www.thehum.info/

[ilovebrie]

mantaray
Did the sound machine have rain sounds?
Thanks

[ilovebrie]

Fascinating website, EDDIE1
Thanks a lot.

[jennyjoan]

well I have tinnitus and get it when I take stress, strong painkillers. My noise is a bee buzzing in and out - pretty awful when it gets bad.

A lady in the fold of my friend said her head was away with the noise she could hear in her flat. She ruled out everything, electricity, had friends in for a minute or two, no they couldn't hear the noise. Got the owner of the fold in no, they couldn't hear it. I don't know how they found it but it was the gentleman downstairs who was on an oxygen tank 24 hours a day and the humming was going up to her. I do think she moved.

I also have a device (whether it works or not) to keep vermin out of my house - it is on constantly - have friends with great hearing they never hear it. Yet one lonely friend who has fantastic hearing - saying that is it so I switch it off when she visits.

Sometimes it is a noise like a car in the distance mmmmmm mmmmm - I know noises can put you nuts. By the Way I am deaf so it is part of my condition.

[MantaRay]

Yes, my machine did have rain sounds which were surprisingly calming and relaxing, more so than the ocean waves sound.

[gingejbee]

I have right-sided Meniere's which has resulted in permanent tinnitus and use one of these at night....in fact, it goes everywhere with me, because I find it difficult to get to sleep WITHOUT it!


Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[tinkerbell23]

Type white noise into youtube you get many relaxing sounds - crumpled paper, typewriter etc xx

[Sammy48]

I have my electric fan going all night, it blocks out noise and is soothing with a gentle hum.

[AQHGuy]

I have. They're effective so long as you play them at sufficient volume. Essentially white noise makes it so won't hear the hum. (True white noise is all frequencies at once) The downside is some people can't stand the white noise so it's one annoying noise or the other. But if you don't mind the white noise, the machines definitely work. You can find more info here: https://www.aquiethouse.com/top-white-noise-machines/