White noise, a seemingly innocuous background hum, has been a topic of debate in learning circles. Does it enhance focus and memory retention, or is it merely a distraction? Let's delve into the science and studies behind this intriguing question.
Learning can be impaired by distracting background sounds
It might be beneficial to mask distracting sounds by playing white noise while studying.
- White noise is a random mixture of sound frequencies that, when heard in low volume, can improve the detection of a simultaneous isolated signal with equal power of any frequency
- The presence of a homogenous signal (white noise) improves the contrast with a novel superimposed signal
But why have any sound at all?
When it comes to learning, it is hard to beat the silence of the library.
- White noise improves learning by modulating activity in dopaminergic midbrain regions and right superior temporal sulcus, J. Cognitive Neuroscience, 26(7), doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_00537
- Furnham, Adran, and Strbac, Lisa. (2010). The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 6:55.
Recent studies have shown no beneficial effect on thinking and memory.
One study revealed that exposure to background noise improved performance for inattentive children but worsened performance for attentive children.
What this tells me is that white noise might have some value if there is general room noise that needs to be masked.
This might be especially true for people with attention deficits who are especially distracted by noise.
- Another possibility, which as far as I know has not been tested, is to have soft background noise of rain in a tropical rain forest or waves lapping on the beach.
