Does white noise impact child speech development?
By Emma O’Dwyer, Speech and Language Therapist, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Founder of Baby Speak
Many parents use white noise or “sleep sounds” to help babies and even older children sleep better. It can be a very useful tool. But you may worry: could white noise affect how your child learns to talk? Is there any risk to speech and language development?
The good news: there is no strong evidence that moderate, sensible use of white noise causes speech or language delays. The research does, however, suggest some important guidelines to follow, so that white noise helps sleep without reducing your child’s ability to hear speech and build language.
What Research Tells Us
Why clear speech exposure is so important
When babies hear lots of speech addressed to them - talking, singing, reading, cooing - they build vocabulary, understand grammar, and gradually start to communicate. The more speech they hear, the better.
In contrast, noisy or distracting environments - background television, loud household noise, overlapping sounds - can make it harder for babies to hear what is being said, reducing attention to speech and slowing learning. Studies of infants and toddlers show they learn words less well when there is lots of background noise.
What we do not yet fully know
At present, we do not have large-scale, long-term studies showing that reasonable use of white noise at low volume causes speech or language delay in typically developing babies.
But we do know that very loud or continuous noises - much louder than average white-noise machines in home use - can affect how the brain’s auditory (sound-processing) centres organise themselves in animal studies. These findings hint at potential risk if sound exposure is excessive.
A scoping review of continuous white noise during sleep and childhood development raised caution when noise is too loud, constant, or used without attention to safe levels and duration.
What’s known about white noise helping sleep
White noise can help babies settle more quickly and sleep more soundly, when used appropriately. But because it can mask other sounds, including caregiver voices and quieter background noises, volume and duration matter a lot.
How to Use White Noise Safely
Here are practical, evidence-based tips to get the benefits of white noise, without compromising your baby’s speech and language environment:
Keep the volume moderate - aim for sound levels roughly at or below the level of a quiet conversation (about 50 dBA at the baby’s ear).
Use white noise primarily to help your baby fall asleep. Once your baby is asleep, reduce the volume or turn the noise off if possible.
Don’t rely on white noise all night, every night, at high volume. Continuous and loud exposure may be more risky.
During awake times, ensure your baby is in a quiet, speech-rich environment. Turn off or lower background noise so your baby can clearly hear your voice, conversation, singing, and reading.
Place the white noise source several feet/metres away from your baby’s cot or sleep area, and do not direct the speaker toward your baby’s head.
Monitor how your baby responds - if they are startled, unsettled, or seem unusually sensitive to the noise, consider lowering the volume or stopping use.
Be extra cautious with infants who are preterm, have known hearing concerns, or other risk factors; in such cases, consult with a hearing specialist or your health professional about safe sound exposure.
Why This Matters
Speech and language skills develop best when babies have lots of exposure to clear, responsive speech from caregivers. White noise doesn’t automatically prevent that - but if it is misused (too loud, always on, drowning out your voice), it can interfere with hearing and attention to speech.
Using white noise properly means balancing good sleep with rich, clear language input. The goal is healthy sleep without compromising communication development.
Key Takeaway
White noise isn’t inherently harmful to language development when used safely and at reasonable volumes.
Lower volume is better - aim for quiet, comfortable sound levels.
Use white noise as a sleep support tool, not as a continuous soundtrack.
Prioritise speech-rich, quiet time during the day - your talking, singing and reading are the most powerful tools for language learning.
If your baby has special needs (hearing, prematurity, sensory sensitivity), check sound exposure guidelines with your health professional.
References
Kirkorian HL, Pempek TA, Murphy LA, Schmidt ME, Anderson DR. The impact of background television on parent–child interaction. Child Development. 2009;80(5):1350-1359.
Pempek TA, Kirkorian HL, Anderson DR. The effects of background television on the quantity and quality of child-directed speech by parents. Journal of Children and Media. 2014;8(3):211-222.
Erickson LC, Newman RS. Influences of background noise on infants and children. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2017;12(5):915-934.
De Jong RW, Davis GS, Chelf CJ, et al. Continuous white noise exposure during sleep and childhood development: A scoping review. Sleep Medicine. 2024;119:88-94.
Zhang LI, Bao S, Merzenich MM. Disruption of primary auditory cortex by synchronous input during a critical period. PNAS. 2002;99(4):2309-2314.
Emma O’Dwyer
Speech and Language Therapist, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Founder of Baby Speak