Free Online Player
Grey Noise
Grey noise is a full, even wash that doesn't lean obviously hissy or rumbly. Press play and it starts in this browser, free, with no signup and nothing to install. People try it when a room has both voices and a low hum and neither white nor brown sits right. It still won't soundproof a wall, and it isn't a treatment for anything.
Ready to play
Put this under rain or a fire, keep the blend you end up with, and play it through the night with your screen off. The Slo app does that on iOS, Android and Mac.
What is grey noise?
It sounds even, without the sharp hiss of white noise or the plane-cabin rumble of brown. Some pages spell it gray noise, and they mean the same sound. That evenness helps when the disturbance is mixed, a kettle and a hallway voice and a bit of traffic, and you would rather the background didn't pick a side. Grey noise covers a bit of everything. Brown noise is still better against bass through the floor, and white noise is still better when speech is the only problem.
Headphones and speakers change it a lot, and so does your own hearing. There is no single grey that sounds flat to everyone. Compare it at a modest level and keep it only if you notice it less than the alternatives. It is not a medical sound.
Focus, tinnitus, and honest limits
At a desk it can make intermittent household noise less distinct without adding a beat or lyrics, and for writing or reading that is often enough. It won't block a loud conversation through a wall.
Some people with tinnitus look for grey noise because a broad, even sound can reduce the contrast with ringing. Reactions go both ways, and the same sound soothes one person and irritates another. Keep it below a comfortable talking level, and never try to drown the tinnitus out. Symptoms that are persistent, sudden, pulsatile, or in one ear belong with an audiologist.
Volume, speakers, and layers
Set the slider low, listen for a minute, and raise it only until the changes in the room recede. A speaker across the room is usually easier than close headphones. If you use headphones, take breaks and don't sleep in a setup that pushes the volume up. The 15, 30, or 60 minute timer can end the settling stretch without you reaching for the screen, and the all-night setting runs for eight hours.
The player is free and there is nothing to install; the Slo app on the App Store and Google Play is there if you would rather have a sound machine on your phone. Open the sound mixer and add quiet rain if you want movement, or brown noise if the room still has a mechanical hum. The guide to the best sounds for focus has more ways to match a background to the task. Judge everything at the same loudness and keep the one you notice least.
Frequently asked questions
How is grey noise different from white noise?
White noise is a bright hiss. Grey aims to sound even from low to high, so it is less obviously hissy. Whether that helps your room is something you have to try; it is not a guaranteed upgrade.
Why do grey-noise recordings sound different?
There is no single grey. Different players, speakers, and ears all change it, so two pages called grey will not match.
Can grey noise cure tinnitus?
No. Some people use a low background to make tinnitus less prominent. 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 mix of office sounds less noticeable, without adding words. Keep it quiet, and think about coworkers if you are on speakers.