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Grey Noise
Grey noise is broadband noise shaped around human hearing so different frequencies are perceived at a more even loudness. Its contoured, neutral character can provide a background for concentration, sound masking, or relaxation. Use this browser player to listen continuously and decide whether its balance suits your ears.
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Stack this under rain or a fire, keep the blend, and play it with your screen off. Slo, on iOS, Android and Mac.
Grey noise follows perception, not a simple slope
Grey noise is broadband noise filtered with an equal-loudness contour so that its frequencies are intended to feel similarly loud to human hearing. Unlike white noise, which has equal power in every equal-width frequency band, or pink noise, which falls about 3 decibels per octave, grey noise has a curved spectrum. It generally compensates for the ear’s lower sensitivity at very low and very high frequencies relative to the midrange. The exact contour can vary because equal-loudness perception changes with playback level, equipment, age, and the individual listener; there is no single grey spectrum that sounds perfectly flat to everyone. The result is often described as full, detailed, and perceptually even rather than strongly hissy or rumbly. That broad, balanced presence may mask environmental variation without favoring one obvious pitch region, making it useful for listeners comparing neutral backgrounds for focus or rest.
The word “grey” is an analogy to visual grey: an attempt at equal perceived intensity rather than equal physical energy. It should not be confused with a standardized medical sound. Headphones and speakers color the result, and your ear canal adds another filter, so personal comparison is more meaningful than expecting laboratory neutrality from everyday playback.
Using an even-feeling spectrum for masking
Grey noise can be helpful when both low rumbles and sharper household sounds compete for attention. Because the signal is shaped for perception, some people find that it covers a wide environment without the conspicuous treble of white noise. During analytical work, writing, or reading, it may make intermittent sounds less distinct while avoiding rhythm and lyrics.
Some tinnitus listeners search for grey noise because a broad, perceptually balanced sound may reduce contrast with internal ringing. Reactions vary widely: sound enrichment can feel soothing to one person and irritating to another. Keep it below a comfortable conversational level, never try to drown out tinnitus, and consult an audiologist for persistent, sudden, pulsatile, or one-sided symptoms.
Calibrate grey noise to your room
Set the slider low, listen for a minute, and raise it only until distracting changes recede. Speakers usually create a more diffuse room background than close headphones. If you do use headphones, take listening breaks and avoid sleeping in a setup that creates pressure or encourages excessive volume. A timer can limit the settling period without requiring you to reach for the screen later.
Grey noise can anchor a more textured scene. Open the sound mixer and add quiet rain if you want movement, or blend in brown noise if the room contains low mechanical hum. Our guide to the best sounds for focus offers more ways to match a background to the task. Judge each option at comparable loudness and keep the one you notice least.
Frequently asked questions
How is grey noise different from white noise?
White noise is physically flat per hertz. Grey noise is filtered using an equal-loudness contour, aiming for a more even subjective level across pitch rather than equal measured power.
Why do grey-noise recordings sound different?
Producers may use different equal-loudness curves, reference levels, or filters. Your speakers and hearing also change the result, so variation is expected.
Can grey noise cure tinnitus?
No. Some people use low-level background sound to make tinnitus less prominent, but grey noise is not a cure. New or troubling tinnitus should be assessed by a hearing professional.
Is grey noise good for an open office?
It may make a broad mix of office sounds less noticeable, especially without adding words or rhythm. Keep it unobtrusive and consider coworkers when using speakers.