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Harmful Effects of White Noise Machines

Noise pollution negatively affects the health of millions of people, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If noise is preventing you from sleeping, white noise machines can help you to fall asleep and stay asleep, says Consumer Reports.

  1. Harmful to Infants

    • White noise machines can delay hearing and language development in infants, according to WebMD. The continuous noise drowns out sounds babies need in order to develop their hearing. A delay in hearing can also delay speech and learning.

    Warning

    • The irony of white noise machines is that salespeople suggest that parents use them to calm their infants who have trouble falling asleep. The machines may help infants fall asleep, but they are not beneficial to them.

    Reason

    • Infants cannot distinguish any auditory patterns when all they are hearing is white noise. The noise doesn't appear to damage the hearing in babies, but it does delay the way the hearing center of the brain develops, says WebMD.

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