Why Do I Hear Talking in White Noise?

Have you ever found yourself distinctly hearing whispers or conversations while listening to white noise? If so, you're not alone. This puzzling experience is a common phenomenon that can be attributed to a number of auditory and psychological factors.

Firstly, let's explore what white noise actually is. Unlike the specific frequencies found in brown noise or pink noise, white noise contains all frequencies at equal intensity. It's often used to mask other sounds, promote relaxation, or help with sleep. However, this wide spectrum of sound can also play tricks on your mind.

Auditory Pareidolia: Finding Patterns in the Noise

Auditory pareidolia is a psychological occurrence where the brain interprets random sounds as recognizable patterns, particularly speech. It's a form of apophenia, which is when your brain assigns meaning to random or meaningless data. Humans are hardwired to detect human speech, so when faced with the random signals in white noise, our brain may pick out pieces that seem to form words or sentences.

The Power of Suggestion

If someone suggests there might be talking in the white noise, our brain is more likely to 'hear' it. This is because we have a cognitive bias to confirm the existence of the suggested sounds. Expectation plays a key role in what we perceive.

Mental Filling in the Gaps

The brain dislikes incomplete patterns, so it attempts to fill in the gaps in noisy environments. When listening to white noise, our brains may fill these gaps with the most familiar pattern of noise: human speech.

Stress and Fatigue

High stress levels or fatigue can make individuals more prone to experiencing auditory hallucinations, including the perception of voices in white noise.

Tips to Minimize 'Voices' in White Noise

• Use brown noise or pink noise, which may have less potential for perceived speech patterns.


• Decrease the volume of the white noise.


• If using white noise for sleep, consider a sound machine that includes additional soothing sounds, like rain or ocean waves, which are less likely to be interpreted as voices.

In conclusion, hearing speech in white noise is a result of our brain's natural tendencies to seek patterns and meaning, especially in ambiguous auditory stimuli. While it's a perfectly normal experience, understanding why it happens can provide reassurance and enhance your white noise listening experiences. Try out different types of noise or adjust the settings to find what works best for you.