The science of noise colors: why white noise makes you sleepy and blue noise helps you focus
Share:
Yes, you really can hear colors – and here’s why one audiologist thinks you should pick a favorite. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. I’ve always loved the sound of green noise while I work. It feels like my desk is surrounded by trees or positioned next to a waterfall. Something about it quietens my mental chatter and helps me focus, which is why I often play it in the background when I’m writing. But a few weeks ago, something unexpected happened.
![[A glass prism casting a rainbow]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yfwDKxxGhpmrVXshsqbHCh-320-80.jpg)
I was deep in thought, not noticing the transitions between the green noise tracks Spotify was playing, when I suddenly felt sleepy. That’s when I realized the noise had shifted – from green to white. My productive focus had faded into a gentle drowsiness.
![[A person in deep sleep, lying in bed]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k4gRXUhJCdmoMimBzhWjvV-320-80.jpg)
This experience made me wonder: why do these sounds have such a strong effect on my mood, focus, and energy levels? How do they work, and do they affect everyone the same way? To find out, I spoke to a prominent audiologist – and asked some of my social media followers to share their experiences, too.
![[Woman gaming on a computer at home]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6no3cRoGAsjE8oEkojYKwM-320-80.jpg)
So why are sounds associated with colors, like white, brown, pink, or blue?. "The color names for different types of sounds are based on an analogy between the frequency makeup of sound waves and light waves," Ashish Shah, an audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership, explains. “Red noise is strong in longer wavelengths, similar to the red end of the visible spectrum.".
![[Screenshot from The End of the Sun game of a forest scene and a fire.]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p5Rrnjt6qPpHdVdEGLhsqm-320-80.jpg)
