My daughter is having a hard time adjusting to living with a roommate at college. The roommate is a night owl and usually showers after midnight (the shower is next to my daughters bed). My daughter tries to go to bed early, and yada yada yada......

Anyway, we were thinking maybe a white noise generator by her bed would be helpful. Does anyone have any experience with these? She's tried earplugs, but they don't seem to work. She also can't sleep with earphones because they bug her after awhile. So, we're trying to think of alternatives.

I take an amazon echo dot on the road because I’m a very light sleeper. With people slamming hotel room doors, or talking in the hallways I’ll be wide awake.

Fortunately, it will generate just about anything you want, from white noise, to ocean waves. I like the sound of rain, and play it at a volume suitable to drown out the hotel noise.

If she has WiFi, and you guys have a prime account, give it a shot.

I have used them to ensure office privacy. During my residency, the offices were directly across from the medical school mailboxes where everyone socialized. A small hallway no less. It effectively maxed out the noise from conversation.

As far as masking other noises not so good. Typical college problems. These days it takes an act of God to change roommates, but it can be done with effort. I would go with changing roommates. We have more than a noise problem here. I have experience with college kids.

I use a fan. Position between body and noise source if at all possible.

We use the "White Noise" app available through the Apple App Store when we travel. I'm sure there is an Android version. Many different sounds available. Just plug your smartphone to charge and play the app.

At home, we use a HEPA Air Filter at night that provides a base level of white noise through its operation and cleans the air as well.

quote:

I take an amazon echo dot on the road because I’m a very light sleeper. With people slamming hotel room doors, or talking in the hallways I’ll be wide awake.

Just saw your post. Worth a try. In fact I am getting one for my trips on the road. Thank you.

I bought one from Radio Shack ~25 years ago when I had kids and a wife in the house and got a night shift job. I still have and use the same one, but haven't worked nights in almost 20 years.
Getting to sleep has always been a struggle for me and maybe it's a little help with that, but it definitely helps prevent me from being woken up.

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Originally posted by MagnumU:
We use the "White Noise" app available through the Apple App Store when we travel. I'm sure there is an Android version. Many different sounds available. Just plug your smartphone to charge and play the app.

I've been using this app for years. No need for a special device. I have tinnitus (constant ringing in my ears) and covering it is kind of a must. The sound called "white noise," works great for me.

I always make sure to hook my phone up to a charger though, so it's not dead/near dead by morning.

Get her some wireless earphones. She can stream ASMR videos to help herself get to sleep. If she's having trouble sleeping due to noise in the room, adding more noise that she can't isolate isn't going to solve her problem.

My wife uses foam earplugs. 33db.

I bought my wife the Homedic at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Works like a charm and she now sleeps through the night. She likes the Everglades setting, water sounds with light insect sounds chirping etc.

Good Luck.

Yes I have experience and I can highly recommend the marpac dohm ds.

I use THIS.

It has been very effective.

In fact I'm getting ready to go to bed and turn it on.

^^^^^^


We have these as well and they work great. Both of my boys use one and we travel with one for the hotel room.

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Originally posted by cheeze:
Yes I have experience and I can highly recommend the marpac dohm ds.

This. I was so impressed with this machine that a friend had that I bought the basic version for myself. Only difference between this one and the DS is the DS is duel speed (low/high). After realizing I only ever used high I bought the basic (which is one speed/high equivelant).

While not a machine, this website may help her:

http://rainymood.com

I use it when I need to focus on something I'm reading. I hope she finds a solution that works for her.

I love my white noise machine. Its my security blanket

That being said, noise machines really help drown out sound from outside the room, not so much from noises that happen inside the room. My suggestion would be to find a new roommate, or a new apartment or something. I think a noise machine may help, but I don't think it will be the cure all she's looking for.

Our office uses a white noise generator with mixed results. Most of the folks love it but then there are a few like myself. It actually seems to amplify the conversations of others. You might want to take Spokane's suggestion and have her try some ear plugs first. You can always step up to the real deal if they don't work.

I can't sleep without one. I like the plain, white noise type. You can have the thunderstorms, ocean waves, rain forest sounds, etc. If no sleep machine, the sound of a fan works well for me.

I use an app called white noise which should still be free. I set it to rain or thunderstorm and its been working for years now even though I work nights.