Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Here are our verdicts on desktop and bedside noise generators. For our findings on relaxation CDs and computer software programs go to our "Buying advice" page.
Nature Sound Spa (DT-204)
£25
A modern looking product with a range of sound effects; singing birds near a brook, waves and seagulls, dawn chorus, riverside frogs, spring rain and forest night noises. A slide switch lets you decide how long to play the sounds; 20, 40 or 60 minutes. The alarm clock is easy to set and there are date and calendar displays, but you can’t be woken by the nature sounds - a disappointing omission.
The Spa is similar to the Nature Sound Travel Clock, but has a larger, easier to use volume control and a handy nightlight. The sound is quite harsh on high volume settings, but works well at low volume when the sound gently plays in the background.
Some drawbacks, but popular with our user panel
Nature Sound Travel Clock (DT-207)
£20
Very similar to the Nature Sound Spa, but designed as a travel alarm clock. It has the same sound effects as the spa, minus the spring rain effect, and has similar features. It is easy to use, but like the Spa you can't be woken by the nature sounds.
The travel clock has some small controls and no nightlight, but users still liked using it. The sound is quite harsh on high volume settings, but was good at low volume when the sound gently plays in the background.
Some drawbacks, but popular with our user panel and useful to take on trips or holidays.
Sound Oasis Ultra II
£68
Boasting an impressive list of features, this was also the only bedside unit with a headphone socket. So you can listen through headphones or a pillow speaker, as well as the loudspeaker. There are six sounds: ocean surf, stream, rain, white noise, summer night and wind. Further sounds are available by buying an optional "sound card" that slots into the unit.
The alarm clock wakes you with either a buzzer or the nature sounds, it also has a useful snooze button. A large control wheel allows you to adjust the timer and a similar control alters the volume.
Many useful features but our panel wasn't impressed with the sound quality.
Naturecare Relaxation (WE-686)
£26
Worth considering if you want a sound generator without an alarm clock. It has an interesting range of sounds including heartbeat, sea waves, brook, birds, woods, rain and white noise. There are two play options; either set the sounds to play continuously or use the timer to switch it off after 30 minutes.
Some users may find the large, rounded volume control difficult to grasp, but the push buttons to select each sound are easy to use. The Naturecare has a novel "ball" shape that makes it almost impossible to knock over, but we'd have welcomed rubber feet to prevent it from scratching table tops.
Popular with our user panel and easy to use, but has a limited range of features.