Summary

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.

Introduction to Earphones

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:

• During Air Travel: Flights can be a noisy affair thanks to fellow passengers, innumerable announcements from the crew, noise from toilet doors opening and closing, food and beverages serving, and even the engine sound (if your seat is close to the wings). An earbud or earphone with ANC feature can be sheer bliss, make the flight pleasant and hassle-free.
• While at work: Thanks to the pandemic, Work from Home is the new normal. However, homes can be very noisy, with children, elders, door deliveries, maids and cooks all adding to the mix. ANC then becomes mandatory while taking a call, or focusing on an intense task. In fact, the same logic plays out in the office too. Offices can also be very noisy, so many executives prefer to wear earphones with ANC feature, while working. This makes them less distracted and more productive.

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Also Read: Ear wax blockage: Symptoms and Treatment

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What is Ambient Sound?

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:

• In the office: Even as you listen to the audio content during a meeting, such as a phone call, you should be able to participate in a discussion around you, without having to take the headphones off.
• Work from home: A toddler crying or trying to get your attention by making sounds, is a necessary distraction. One should be able to allow this, while attending a virtual meeting.

Pros and Cons of Ambient Sound feature

Pros

• Is safer to the user: While driving or walking on the streets, one should be able to hear the honking of vehicles, screeching brakes, sirens blazing, sound of approaching vehicles and a fellow passenger talking to you. Ambient Sound ensures you receive all these sounds, while also enjoying your music or podcast at the same time.
• Establishes or enhances the mood: One could be traveling through a holiday destination or just sitting in the balcony with a cup of tea. In such moments, even as you enjoy the music feed, you can enjoy the sounds of rain, chirping birds, wind rustling through the trees, or a river flowing nearby. Ambient Sound feature allows you to selectively retain these sounds, while eliminating unwanted noises. This helps create the right mood, and a truly immersive experience.
• Perfect transition between the sound-feed and surroundings: One could be waiting at an airport, train or bus station while listening to music. Important announcements being made on the loudspeaker can be allowed, which ensures you are aware all the time. At the same time, a whole lot of unwanted noises can be blocked out.

Cons

• Poor audio quality: Depending on the surroundings, the ambient sound can be overwhelming and drown out the main sound-feed (your audio content). This can be distracting and also reduce the overall experience.
• Battery drain: The Ambient Sound involves a lot of processing on part of your earphone. This drains the battery and reduces the overall usage time. The user should always factor this while using the AS mode on the earphones.

Dos and Don’ts while using Ambient Sound

• Depending on the surroundings, the type of audio content being listened to, and the volume in which its being played, ambient sounds may not be heard even if you have turned on the Ambient Sound Mode. In such instances, do not use Ambient Sound feature. Remove the headphones/earphones altogether. Examples include – while driving, while overseeing construction work, interiors renovation work, etc.
• Depending on the surroundings (for example in the outdoors), the wind noise may increase when Ambient Sound Mode is turned ON. This can be a pain, so in such a case, turn Ambient Sound Mode to OFF. You can keep Active Noise Cancelling ON, so you can listen to your audio content without any hassle.

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• If the headset isn’t positioned correctly in your ears, the Ambient Sound Mode feature might not function as expected. If this happens, adjust the headset until it fits snugly in your ears for optimal performance.
• In case you are covering the microphone on either the left or right headset, the noise cancelling and ambient sound features will not work properly. The device will make a beeping sound to let you know of the same (in some models or brands). Then you can uncover your hands/fingers.
• In some cases, when the surrounding environment is noisy, the Ambient Sound Mode is not very useful as a constant noise may be heard. This is not a malfunction but an expected outcome. In such a case, you can turn the Noise Cancelling feature to ON, and the Ambient Sound to OFF.

Apps for Ambient Sound

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.

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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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