The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs highlighted the effort of Asheville, Va., nurses to introduce the White Noise Project, which uses sound therapy to improve sleep outcomes for veterans during hospital stays. The project uses sound therapy to help improve sleep.

"We are so excited about the White Noise Project because initial data shows that, on average, veterans using white noise machines had a 20% increase in overall sleep hours," Krys Earles, a VA nurse, said in an Aug. 3 VA news article.

Veterans often suffer from sleep deprivation during hospital stays, leading to health issues, the article said. It was observed at Asheville's Warrior’s Recovery Unit that multiple environmental stressors worsened the issue. To combat this, nurses initiated the White Noise Project, placing white noise machines at patients' bedsides, resulting in a 20% increase in overall sleep hours for veterans.

The project, which was born in 2021, uses sound therapy, a nonpharmacological approach to improving sleep, tinnitus, anxiety and mental well-being, the article said. Initial data from Asheville showed white noise improved sleep scores, adding 1.5 hours of sleep per night on average. Ninety-seven percent of veterans reported positive outcomes, with more than half asking for the machine back more than once, citing its effectiveness.

The project's success led to replication across six VA facilities through the Diffusion of Excellence program, which fosters a culture of innovation among VA staff, the article said. Earles, who presented the White Noise Project at VHA Shark Tank in 2022, praised Diffusion for streamlining the innovation's growth and its impact on veterans. The program continues to expand, benefiting more veterans in need of restful sleep during hospital stays.

"There are people who want to push change and create a better health care system for Veterans and employees," Earles said in the article. "It’s great having a program dedicated to making change happen within VA."