Comply with HIPAA regulations with a white noise machine

HIPPA (or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was signed into law in 1996, with full compliance expected by 2003. HIPAA is a multi-stage plan to improve and simplify the healthcare system, and particularly to protect patient security. One of the most seemingly difficult areas to maintain this security is in conversation. While the solution is simple, and relatively inexpensive, a great many professionals struggle with this question – how does one provide conversational confidentially?

The easiest and most cost effective solution is a white noise machine. What is white noise? White noise is named for white light. While white light encompasses all the colors of light the eye can see equally, white noise combines all frequencies of sound at one time. A white noise machine produces white noise, often in a repeating pattern. It is often compared to the sound of a fan, and masks other ambient or nearby noise, as well as concealing conversation being had near the machine itself.

There are a great many kinds of white noise machines available, many with additional sound features meant to sooth or relax a person as well as the white noise that anyone nearby will not be able to discern what is being said, thereby feature. When using a white noise machine to maintain HIPAA regulations, look for one specifically pitched to mask conversation between two or more persons. The white noise works as a sound barrier, protecting both the patient and the provider. However, the noise level produced is low enough that the actual conversation can be carried out by the people in the area with the machine in normal tones, and in a comfortable fashion.

Sound machines are often used in homes as well, for their soothing properties. Sound settings such as “Rain”, “Waterfall”, “Tropical rainforest”, and many others are popular for creating a certain kind of atmosphere. When using a sound machine, or white noise machine, to create conversational confidentially in an office situation, it is seamless and comfortable for all parties to have a machine that has such a dual function. The machine can be left running on a different sound setting during the regular workday, and the setting simply switched to the “white noise” setting before beginning to discuss personal matters.

Regardless of the floor plan of your office – open, cubicles, or private offices – there has been great success in the difficult yet important task of creating and maintaining auditory security though the use of white noise machines.

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of Sound Machines Direct is expressly forbidden.

Difference Between White Noise and Pink Noise

Basically, white noise and pink noise are two types of generate acoustic sound. For the reason that they both used to cover disturbing sound in a pleasing way, a lot of people are still bewildered and find it hard to distinguish the differences between white noise and pink noise. For many people, white noise sounds like a running water or rain. It is even similar to the noise of a vacant TV channel. On the other hand, pink noise is described as similar to the sound of calibrated audio equipment. White and pink noise, in some cases, is merged with other sound to generate amusing masking programs such as thunder, fountains, and fan noise.

Now, white noise is a signal whose spectrum is a horizontal line – there is equal amount of energy at every frequency. This is the reason why it is projected to be comparable to white light. Given that white light involves all light frequencies, white noise contains all sound frequencies. Usually, it is done by creating random frequencies in equal proportions per octave either with the use of computer, dedicated synthesizer or a special electronics. It successfully increases the high frequency content due to the factor that every increasing octave is double size of the previous. It is called white because there is nothing distinctive about any part of it just like a white-painted wall.

If white noise is equal the amount of energy per frequency, pink noise is the amount of energy per octave. Pink noise is basically white noise. The thin line that separates pink noise from white nose is that it has decreasing amplitude and increasing frequency at a constant rate per octave. Most simply put, the low frequencies are highlighted as an outcome. White noise has the same level at all the frequencies it is played, but pink noise has more red components, which are considered lower frequencies. It is called pink, because of the position it holds between red and white.

In audio, pink noise is the most frequent color encountered. From one octave to the next we expect to hear a suitable amount of sound energy (depending upon the program material), which is why we standardize our audio systems to pink noise. White noise also sounds like the hiss of an untuned FM radio or the background noise on a cassette tape. The sound of the high noise is taken over by the very highest frequencies which are due to the particular characteristics of human ear. On the other hand, pink noise is described as similar to the sound of a hiss mixed with a rumble or like the noise inside a airline passenger seat.

Normally, the sound generated by electronic masking systems is mislabeled as white noise. Though masking noise is closer to pink noise than white noise, white noise has already become the generic term for masking noise. If you want to learn more about these types of noise, and their relation to human sleep patterns, you can check out sites that offer products that make such noises. Today, these are popular alternatives for helping people with sleep problems.

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of Sound Machines Direct is expressly forbidden.

The Soothing Sound Of White Noise

White noise is more or less a misnomer, because while white noise is basically a stochastic and random background noise (whether it is of a natural or man-made natural), it is usually used to help relax or calm the person listening to it by providing a gentle and subtle distraction. White noise sound machines are designed for the purpose of generating such types of 'noise', and like most products out there, come in a variety of designs and functionality.

A white noise sound machine usually comes with some basic standard settings, adjustable via a control knob or buttons, which lets the user select from a number of settings such as the volume, frequency and type of white noise.

One particularly interesting use of white noise sound machines is to produce sounds (perhaps other noises, or sounds like waterfall, or the wind) that mask daily noises like traffic, animals and other people. It is not so much the actual white noise that is produced which provides the effect, but rather in re-focusing the attention of the listener onto something less stressful. People who work third shifts, or have the medical condition tinnitus, and even people who are trying to hide their conversation from prying ears find them very useful.

Other than around the house, white noise sound machines are also very effective in the college dorm or office. Anywhere where white noise can be used to mask noise and distraction (like keyboard tapping or gossip) while someone may be studying, or doing work which requires them to concentrate, a white noise sound machine will prove to be invaluable. It can even be found in the consultation rooms of therapists.

To experience what a white noise sound machine can do for your mental health and well-being, or to create a moment away from the daily grind of the world right in your home, try the Sleep mate 980, or any of a number and range of models from Sound Machines Direct.

Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of Sound Machines Direct is expressly forbidden.