White noise is the art and science of using consistent background noise to cover up distracting and even irritating sounds in an environment. White noise can be greatly beneficial when you need to focus and tune out all the noise and activity around you. It can create a productive environment, even when there are distracting sounds all around you.

Here are a five practical ways that white noise can help you.

1. For work. On average, a person loses up to two hours of work time each day due to distractions. Portable white noise machines mask office noise at your desk and help you concentrate on your work. A sound masking system installed in the entire office space will benefit everyone in the office.

2. For sleep. Do you ever have trouble falling (or staying) asleep because of annoying sounds? Using a sound machine while sleeping will mask the annoying sounds from neighbors or street noise, helping you sleep better with fewer interruptions.

3. For kids. Sound machines can work wonders with kid's sensitive sleep schedules. If you need your children to share a room for the first time, or you want your children to sleep through the added noise of guests, white noise is a great solution. The unfamiliar sounds of a sleeping sibling or the noise of conversations down the hall can all be masked by white noise. Your children will sleep through the extra noise for a full night's sleep.

4. For relaxation. When you come home from work and are ready to relax, the last thing you want to hear is the neighbor's dog barking or cars honking on the street. Instead, try a sound machine with nature sounds. Kick up your feet and enjoy the waves crashing on the shore as you read a book or browse the newspaper.

5. For tinnitus. Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus can be very distracting and uncomfortable. The irritation caused by tinnitus can be lessened though the use of sound therapy, letting you relax.