Sounds Oasis
I started to find it really hard to get to sleep. Instead of staying up for hours, thinking, this sound machine gives me a rhythm for breathing and falling asleep and it's louder than the voice in my head. Unlike a white noise machine, which can *only* create static, this unit offers a range of built-in natural sounds, plus expansion sound cards with more sounds for $15 and up. My wife is partial to the summer night sounds whereas I prefer the ocean surf, so we bought two cards and alternate: Rhythms of the Sea and Wilderness Journey. The sound can be played for a set time (30-, 60-, or 90-minutes), fades out gradually and it automatically shuts off. Unlike many machines that have a combination volume and on/off switch, this one has a great big button that only turns it on and off -- very easy to hit with my eyes closed or while wearing a sleep mask.
I looked at a lot of different sound machines. I first tried one intended for babies. It was cheap and well-regarded, but had a very limited number of sounds which ranged from inauthentic to annoying, poor volume control and it clicked loudly when it shut off. I found there are a lot of poorly-made sound machines and a lot of good ones, but those cost a lot more. I wasn't willing to go up to the next price point ($100), so for the money, I really think this is the best one for regular, at-home use. I've used ours for about six months now and use it every night to get to sleep. I even travel with it and play it on planes with earphones (it runs on AA batteries as well as AC).
Sure they make CDs and mp3s with similar soundtracks, but you can't program fades or set automatic shut offs unless you have a fancy stereo/player, which our bedroom does not. Also, those albums aren't necessarily designed for sleeping. I remember being in a Thai restaurant where there was a flat screen playing a scene of a running brook with birds, complete with sound. It did not take very long before I knew the sequence and what was coming next and how long the loop was. That kind of repetition only keeps me awake. The sounds on our expansion cards do not repeat all that quickly, or if they do, it is not at all obvious when they start over.
-- Hugh Brown
Sound Oasis - S-550-03
$49
Available from Amazon
Sound Expansion Cards
$15
Available from Sleep Well Baby
Manufactured by Sound Oasis
Favorite (15)
michael
I have used a heater/fan on the 'fan' setting to generate white noise for years. At a fraction of the price of this unit (plus sound packs) it also doubles as a space heater if I get cold!
If one needs sounds of nature to sleep better, $80 is a bargain. But for me the key point is to raise to sound floor to drowned out sounds that would otherwise interfere with my sleep (car doors, air/heat cutting on/off etc.) and to provide an audible, consistent focal point for my wandering mind.
Matt Loter
I've used the $100 one from Brookstone for about 2 years now and both my wife and I give it two thumbs way up. It does cost twice as much and not having tried this one I have no idea as to its relative value, but I can say that it was well worth the $100 for the difference it has made in our quality of sleep.
Dan Fraser
You could also look at the software/hardware solutions from Pzizz... The quality of the sounds is excellent. I have the software version, and found it makes getting to sleep far easier.
Bill Noble
iPhone has an app called "White Noise" (along with many other similar relaxation and sleep apps) that seems to do all the things described for Sound Oasis, and also has a big, impressive library of looping sounds. A 3G iPhone at full charge will run this app for about 8 hours.
Bill T
I like iphone "white noise" too - i bought a sony bedside alarm clock / iphone charger so you dont have to worry about flat batteries - plus the sound quality is much better
Charles Balch
You might enjoy the free software at http://serenesound.com. I wrote it to emulate much of what many machines do and you can cut a disk with your favorite mix.
KoolKev
I have honeywell air cleaners running in my bedroom and living room. They seemed loud just before going to sleep the first week but now I don't notice them unless I am watching a movie. I also don't notice the neighbors music, closing doors and sirens and helicopters (unless they are close or extremely loud). In LA not being distracted by such noise is a big relief. In addition the air is a little less dusty.
SleepingSoundlyNow
You've just got to buy Immersion 3 by Steve Roach. Forget this "soundmaking" nonsense, go for music that works better than drugs!