The best sounds for sleeping on a plane
Engine roar, cabin announcements, crying babies, turbulence anxiety. Airplane cabins run at 80-85 dB — louder than a busy restaurant.
How sound helps
How Sound Masking Works: Your brain is wired to monitor for unexpected sounds - it's an ancient survival mechanism. When a dog barks, a door slams, or a neighbour's TV bleeds through the wall, your auditory system flags it as a potential threat, triggering a micro-stress response. Continuous ambient sound (rain, pink noise, brown noise) creates a consistent "floor" that makes these interruptions less detectable. The disruptive sound doesn't disappear - it becomes lost in the background, like a whisper at a party.
Source: General acoustic masking principles
Setup guide
Noise-cancelling headphones are essential. ANC removes 20-30 dB of low-frequency engine noise; masking sound covers the remainder. Download sounds offline before departure.
Sons recommandés
brown noise
Engine noise is overwhelmingly low-frequency. Brown noise matches this frequency profile, smoothing the irregular roar into a consistent background.
Recommended: 55-65 dBpink noise
Covers a broader range than brown, including mid-frequency cabin sounds (conversations, trolley rattling).
Recommended: 50-60 dBrain sounds
More pleasant than pure noise for multi-hour flights. Heavy rain provides adequate masking when combined with ANC headphones.
Recommended: 50-60 dBEssayer maintenant
Listen on Softly
Conseil pro
Start your masking sound during boarding, before the engines start. This prevents the sudden onset of engine noise from triggering alertness.
Questions fréquentes
Can I use Softly in airplane mode?
Yes — download your sounds for offline listening before departure. Airplane mode disables internet but doesn't affect local audio playback. Minimal battery usage compared to streaming.
How does sound help with airplane?
How Sound Masking Works: Your brain is wired to monitor for unexpected sounds - it's an ancient survival mechanism. When a dog barks, a door slams, or a neighbour's TV bleeds through the wall, your auditory system flags it as a potential threat, triggering a micro-stress response. Continuous ambient sound (rain, pink noise, brown noise) creates a consistent "floor" that makes these interruptions less detectable. The disruptive sound doesn't disappear - it becomes lost in the background, like a whisper at a party.
What volume should I use for airplane?
For airplane, set your volume to 55-65 dB. This range is based on acoustic research — loud enough to mask distracting noise, quiet enough to avoid auditory fatigue during extended listening.