While we call it “white noise” because that’s the term used by most of our customers, our Dohm products are actually creating "pink noise." If you sample various "colors" of sounds, you will quickly hear that actual "white noise" is highly annoying and not conducive to sleep. Our Marpac Signature Sound contains less high frequency content than “true” (“scientifically defined”) white noise, and also less than most competing sound machine models on the market. The ear is more sensitive to high frequency sounds, so it perceives our sound as more soothing.

A sound machine is more than simply a noise-masking device – it creates both a system and a sanctuary for serious sleep. Used consistently, a good sound machine becomes an easy but important part of your pre-sleep routine. Its soothing sound promotes relaxation before bedtime and with time, actually becomes a cue for sleep. Once you fall asleep, the constant sound created by the machine effectively masks noises all night long, so you sleep more deeply than you ever thought possible, and wake up feeling more rested and restored.

Absolutely! Our soothing white noise has been helping babies fall asleep and stay asleep for over 50 years. It's one of our main "claims to fame."

Please note: Avoid using baby powder near your Dohm as buildup on internal parts can cause damage.

For all users, we recommend placing the machine at least three feet away from the sleeper’s head. This is mostly to allow the sound to fill the room for the best possible sound masking, but it also serves to ensure that the sound will not be too loud. At a distance of 6.5 ft, we measure the dB level of the Dohm’s loudest setting at 52.5 dB and of our lowest setting at 41.5 dBA. For comparison sake, know that a quiet whisper measures 40 dB and rainfall measures 50dB.

Sound machines are most effective when placed between yourself and the greatest source of noise. This may mean that instead of simply placing the unit on the bedside table, it is more beneficial to put it beneath a window to block traffic sounds, near an interior door to mask television or voices from another room, or up against a thin wall to minimize the sounds of noisy neighbors, to give a few common examples. You'll also want to try adjusting the volume of the sound machine in these different locations. With a little fine-tuning, you'll soon have the ideal noise-masking setup for your personal sound environment.

Sound machines help with sleep, privacy, relaxation, and concentration. They can:

help people of all ages fall asleep and stay asleep provide focus and concentration in office or school settings protect privacy and confidentiality in doctors’ and therapists’ offices provide relief to those with tinnitus mask the sound of snoring sleepers or other in-home activity block noises from outside which might disturb or distract help travelers sleep better in unfamiliar (and often noisy) environments.

Sure. Here’s what we recommend: simply wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. You can use a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol to clean the vent openings. In order to clean the inside of the unit, use a vacuum hose and proceed to each opening suctioning out any dust inside the unit.

Due to liability issues, we do not recommend opening up your Dohm for cleaning. If you wish to have it serviced, we are more than happy to help. Please contact our customer service department and we’ll take good care of you and your sound machine.