The dictionary defines white noise as a steady, unvarying, unobtrusive sound, as an electronically produced drone or the sound of rain, used to mask or obliterate unwanted sounds.

Essentially, white noise is a combination of all of the different frequencies of sound. Because white noise contains all frequencies, it drowns out all other sounds your ears might pick up. As a result of this, it can be used effectively to increase the restfullness of sleep and is excellent in calming down fussy newborns.

White noise is even recognized as a sound masking treatment for attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) and for those suffering from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hyperacusis and other inner ear disorders.