Ambient Sound is a feature present on certain earbuds, earphones or headphones. It helps the user allow certain sounds from the surroundings, while blocking unwanted noise. This enhances safety and convenience for users. The feature can be enabled or disabled at will, using simple settings on the earbud or earphone. Manufacturers of these devices, as well as third-party agencies offer apps from which this feature can be manipulated. In this article, we will learn more.
Earphones and earbuds are highly popular with music enthusiasts and work-from-home professionals. Most of the modern earbuds, earphones and headphones come with the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) feature. As the name implies, this feature helps the user block out sounds from the background while enhancing the sound from the feed, which could be – music, a podcast or a telephonic conversation. ANC helps create ‘immersive experiences’ where the user’s sound feed is of higher quality, thereby elevating his/her experience.
For example:
According to ENT specialists, while ANC is a great feature, it comes with certain drawbacks. It’s common to find people wearing earphones and driving, walking on the roads or waiting at restaurants, airports, train and bus stations. This makes them unaware of ambient sounds such as the honking from vehicles nearby, or some other eventuality on the roads. So also, one may miss the announcements being made in an airport, train or bus station due to ANC. At the office, one may not be able to hear phones on the desk ringing, or a colleague trying to call out, or even the doorbell in some cases. All these scenarios create risk and hassle for the user.
That is why, over a period of time, manufacturers of earphones and earbuds came up with a feature called Ambient Sound Awareness (ASA), later shortened to just ‘Ambient Sound’. Ambient Sound just refers to the wide variety of noises present in the surroundings. While most of these sounds are unwanted noise, some are useful and necessary sound feeds. So, the manufacturers started offering this feature, wherein some of the ambient sounds are captured using microphones, amplified and then played back to the user, along with the main feed that he/she is listening to. Sounds in close proximity (like a colleague, waiter or person sitting next, talking to the person) and some critical sounds, are captured generally, while distant, loud and seemingly unwanted noises are tuned out.
This way, one can get the best of both worlds. One can enjoy the main sound-feed while also being cognizant of the world around. This is required, for example:
Leading manufacturers of earphones, headphone and earbuds, such as Sony and Panasonic, offer mobile apps, from which you can tweak the Ambient Sound feature on the audio device. The mobile and the audio device communicate via Bluetooth. Using the app, you can select the sounds to be drowned, sounds to be allowed, make volume settings, etc. This makes it easy to use – and enhances – the Ambient Sound feature.
The latest trend is to mix certain sounds along with the main audio-feed while using Ambient Sound mode. Examples of such apps or websites which will help you do this are VirtOcean, Asmrion, Tabletop Audio, RainyMood, SimplyNoise, Dark Noise, A Soft Murmur, InsightTimer, and HipsterSound, among others. One can enjoy the perfect blend of audio content, active noise cancelling, ambient noise and added sound-bytes.
In conclusion, understanding and effectively using the Ambient Sound feature in your earphones can greatly enhance your audio experience, keeping you aware of your surroundings while still enjoying your favourite audio content. Remember, misuse of earphones can sometimes lead to infections in the ear. If you encounter any ear-related ailments, including infections or discomfort caused by earphone use, do not hesitate to contact ENT specialists at Kauvery Hospital. With branches across Tamil Nadu in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, we are committed to providing expert care and guidance. Striking a balance between isolating noise and staying alert to important ambient sounds is key to enjoying a truly immersive and safe audio experience.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
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