Here to help

We hear these questions a lot. You can also ask Joe through our live chat feature. Or call us the old-fashioned way. Email us, if you prefer. We'll be here.

Question: What exactly is a sound conditioner?
Answer: Sound conditioners (also known as sound machines, sleep machines, white noise machines - or one of many combinations thereof) are machines that emit a consistent, soothing soundtrack. This term actually was coined by our founder, Jim Buckwalter, who invented the very first one. Jim proudly declared that he and his company were "Pioneers in Sound Conditioning" and it's a term we at Marpac continue to use and honor today. We think it makes a lot of sense - just as air conditioners moderate the temperature of an environment, sound conditioners moderate the noise level of an environment. Turn one on, and tune everything else out.

Question: Why would I want a sound conditioner?
Answer: A lot of people find that the soothing sound of rushing air is a wonderfully relaxing, all-natural sleep aid. We've received a lot of letters and emails from new parents, nightshift workers, spouses of snorers, frequent travelers -- even pet owners. All of them thank us, and say that we've literally changed their lives. Some people swear by their Marpac sound conditioner for concentration purposes, too, especially in an office or study environment that's too loud or just too quiet. And for privacy, whether you're in an apartment or dorm room, in a physician's or therapist's office, the sound conditioner is a simple and economical sound-masker.

Question: Where can I find a Marpac sound conditioner my area?
Answer: You can order a sound machine here on our website in the store. You're also welcome to place your order with us by telephone. Just call during our North Carolina working hours (8 am-6pm EST) at 800-999-6962 (USA and Canada) or 1-910-602-1421 (worldwide). If you're a hands-on kind of shopper, why not visit one of our retailers? We'll be in more places soon... so keep your eyes (and ears) open!

Question: What if I'm not absolutely crazy about my sound conditioner?
Answer: We love our sound conditioners, and we believe you will too. If, however, you find that our product just doesn't work for you, just send it back to us and we'll give you a full refund. That's how we roll.

Question: What happened to SleepMate and Sound Screen? I loved my SleepMate!
Answer: Don't worry. We didn't change the product. We know people are attached to our Original Sound Conditioner. But from all of the questions we've received over the last 50 years, having two names for the same product - one for bedrooms, one for use elsewhere - was pretty confusing, so we gave it one name: Dohm. Like "ohmmm." Simplifies things, but with the same awesome zzzz's.

Question: So why Dohm?
Answer: "Dohm" references the iconic dome shape of the original sound conditioner; it also calls to mind the sound made by the product, as well as the state of relaxation it induces - like yoga.

Question: What's all this about the National Sleep Foundation?
Answer: We've been chosen to produce the Official Sound Conditioner of the National Sleep Foundation. The NSF is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to the mission of "waking America to the importance of sleep." Sleep is our mission, so when the foundation approached us about joining them, along with a select group of reputable, sleep-centric companies, we got on board. The NSF Dohm is the result of that partnership.

Question: Can my Dohm leave my home (or even the country)?
Answer: Absolutely. The Dohm can be used anywhere in conjunction with a suitable voltage converter and plug adapter. If you wish, we'd be happy to build you a Dohm equipped specifically for use in countries with 240-volt current. Simply select the power option you need when checking out. You may also want to consider the TSC-330, which is designed specifically for travel and includes several plug adapters, if you'll be hopping around a bit.

Question: Which of the sound conditioners is the loudest?
Answer: The Dohm creates a soft, comfortable sound at volumes suitable for most applications, even if your neighbors are REALLY loud. It comes in one-speed and two-speed models - both feature the soothing high-speed setting and can be adjusted with a simple twist of the wrist (link to diagram). The two-speed Dohm has a lower speed, in addition to the higher speed, for even greater sound-masking flexibility. While the Dohm, our original white noise-producing electro-mechanical sound conditioner (say that three times fast), has proven most popular over the years, some people do prefer the greater volume and tonal variety of our digital models. And if you're really into rain or waterfalls, then perhaps you want a Marsona.

Question: What is white noise?
Answer: It's not really white, and it's not really noise. According to Wikipedia, "a random signal is considered 'white noise' if it is observed to have a flat spectrum over a medium's widest possible bandwidth." What this means to you: White noise can block out sounds across a wide range of frequencies, both more steadily and at a lower volume than, say, your music, which contains a variety of frequencies and is therefore an inconsistent sound-masking experience, no matter how loud you turn it up. That's the "scientific" explanation. What our years of experience have taught us is that all white noise is not created equal, and the simple, singular sound of rushing air is the most popular white noise. Our customers use the following words (among others) to describe it: "familiar," "comforting," "soothing," "protecting" and, our favorite, "deeply pleasing." This makes us deeply pleased, too.

Retailers
If you're ready to make a purchase, you can find Marpac products here or on: www.amazon.com, www.target.com, www.walmart.com, www.drugstore.com, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, and www.meijer.com - just to name a few.
If you prefer the in-person purchase experience, we're pleased to report that select Marpac products now appear on select retail shelves. Ask if your favorite has them, and if not, why?
Find the DOHM-NSF at Bed, Bath, & Beyond locations now... and keep checking back, because we're adding new stores all the time.