Sound conditioners (or "white noise machines") were traditionally designed to create white noise - similar to TV static - in order to mask background noises that impede sleep. Newer, more advanced models have other soothing sounds that help (e.g., rain, ocean surf, crickets, frogs, heartbeat, and even lullabies).
Sound conditioners come in two basic versions:
1. Electro-mechanical. Here, an electro-mechanical motor creates white noise by sucking air through narrow holes in the unit's shell. These units are valued because of the "pure" or "natural" white noise they create. The most popular models are the Marpac 980A and 580A Sleepmate (also called the Sound Screen).
2. Digital. Here, digital "sound cards" with infinite loops create the sound. The cards either installed permanently inside the unit's circuitry (Marpac DS-600A, TSC-330, 440, 1288A), or can be inserted and swapped from the outside (Sound Oasis S-3000, S-650 and S-550-03 Sound Therapy Systems). A switch determines which digital recording is played. Biobrite, a maker of sunrise alarm clocks, also has a unit which includes digital white noise. Marpac's 1288A and Sound Oasis' S-3000 allow additional "layering" or mixing of sounds for further customization.
Which type of model is better? The electro-mechanical noise sounds richer or "thicker" but the units are not as flexible in terms of volume and sound character. The digital units are much more flexible, but some people do not like the digital nature of the sound. Sound Oasis addresses one drawback of most digital sound conditioners by making extra long soundtracks (25-60 seconds, versus the more common 5-6 second range). In this way, it's virtually impossible to get distracted by hearing the same pattern repeat over and over (which may keep you from sleeping).
The most advanced sound conditioners come with various optional sound cards, enabling further customization of the sound. Some of these sounds are scientifically designed by sleep experts to stimulate ideal sleep patterns. Sound Oasis has several models using this technology.
Some models are built for portability and travel, such as the Marpac TSC-330 (small and lightweight) and the Sound Oasis S-850 (compact and battery-operated).
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