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Background noise
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<p>Background noise or ambient noise is any <a href="/facts/Sound/DlKXlPuF">sound</a> other than the sound being monitored (primary sound). Background <a href="/facts/Noise/aUstHDqU">noise</a> is a form of <a href="/facts/Noise_pollution/dVwYwHMM">noise pollution</a> or <a href="/facts/Interference_(communication)/BVce5g8d">interference</a>. Background noise is an important concept in setting noise levels. </p><p>Background noises include <a href="/facts/Environmental_noise/CdNaQ5kb">environmental noises</a> such as <a href="/facts/Wind_waves/7IsEqwJp">water waves</a>, <a href="/facts/Roadway_noise/nBs55MlL">traffic noise</a>, <a href="/facts/Alarm/QUTGg07V">alarms</a>, extraneous <a href="/facts/Speech/WEelhfTs">speech</a>, <a href="/facts/Bioacoustics/MvvMaYKN">bioacoustic noise</a> from animals, and electrical noise from devices such as <a href="/facts/Refrigerator/TGb5ozLY">refrigerators</a>, <a href="/facts/Air_conditioning/bK2sIKQd">air conditioning</a>, <a href="/facts/Power_supplies/4A8zBRHn">power supplies</a>, and <a href="/facts/Electric_motor/ArD7BGDa">motors</a>. </p><p>The prevention or reduction of background noise is important in the field of <a href="/facts/Active_noise_control/tVxqLBDs">active noise control</a>. It is an important consideration with the use of <a href="/facts/Ultrasound/31Pa5IH9">ultrasound</a> (e.g. for <a href="/facts/Medical_diagnosis/J47rvb0p">medical diagnosis</a> or imaging), <a href="/facts/Sonar/0Rg2G40e">sonar</a>, and <a href="/facts/Sound_reproduction/BMbpAWkE">sound reproduction</a>. </p>