Why We Hear White Noise: The Science Behind It

White noise is an ever-present sound in our daily lives, but have you ever stopped to wonder why we hear it in the first place? To understand this, we need to delve into the inner workings of our auditory system and explore the complex processes behind the reception and perception of sound. A sound's frequency and amplitude determine its pitch and loudness, respectively, and white noise actually consists of a vast range of frequencies that all have equal intensity. When these frequencies combine, they create a flat, uniform sound that mimics the natural 'noise floor' of our environment, which our ears have evolved to detect. Moreover, white noise can mask other, more disruptive noises and thus help promote relaxation or concentration. Ultimately, the omnipresence of white noise in our lives not only reflects our bodies' keen sensitivity to sound but also has various practical applications.