Sound Generated by White Noise Machines may Hamper Breathing in Infants

While white noise machines may seem the easiest way to make sure that your baby sleeps soundly, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that the sound generated by such machines may be dangerous for the infants’ hearing.

Researchers at Canada's Hospital for Sick Children analyzed 14 of the popular brands of infant sleep machines, which emit soothing sounds to block out external noise, and found that the level of sound produced was higher that the recommended decibel levels for nurseries when the devices were played at the highest volume and kept for extended period of time.

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“These infant sleep machines are capable of producing sound at a level that could be hazardous. The [baby's] ear itself might be more susceptible to sound damage than an adult's ear”, lead researcher Dr Blake Papsin said, adding that the parents should ensure the devices are kept as far away from the crib as possible and played at low levels of volume.

Source-Medindia

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