White noise impairs studying, reading, memory recall, and learning
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 85/100
Multiple empirical studies and meta-analyses demonstrate that background noise and acoustic distraction impair cognitive tasks such as reading comprehension, verbal learning, memory recall, and language processing.
Evidence for · 6
The effects of limited bandwidth and noise on verbal processing time and word recall in normal-hearing children
2013 · cited by 39
Paper 0 demonstrates that background noise impairs working memory recall and increases verbal processing time.
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More for · 5
Effects of environmental noise on cognitive (dys)functions in schizophrenia: A pilot within-subjects experimental study
2016 · cited by 16
Paper 1 finds that environmental noise significantly disrupts delayed verbal recall and working memory performance.
Speech intelligibility and recall of first and second language words heard at different signal-to-noise ratios
2015 · cited by 15
Paper 2 shows that low signal-to-noise ratios impair free recall and verbal learning performance.
Individual Differences in Dealing With Classroom Noise Disturbances
2022 · cited by 13
Paper 3 reviews evidence that background speech and noise interfere with reading comprehension, text recall, and working memory.
Distractions in digital reading: a meta-analysis of attentional interference effects.
2025 · cited by 0
Paper 9's meta-analysis indicates that attentional interference, such as background music and noise, has a negative effect on reading comprehension.
Language Comprehension in Background Noise - Effects of Noise Type and Task Modality.
2026 · cited by 0
Paper 10 reports that background noise significantly impairs language comprehension tasks.