A noise-canceling device seems like a nice idea for people who work or live in the metropolitan city or noisy neighborhoods and are in need of serenity. Most of these devices are known to disfigure sound or block out all sound. Our company has come up with a new device which will enable a user to block unwanted sound both from within the room and from outside the room. There are various advantages and disadvantages which are associated with sound blocking gadgets. While the noise blocking devices block certain sounds and allow one to choose what sounds they want to hear, a better alternative would be providing the user with the choice to block all the noise or listen to specific noises such as music.
An individual who lives in an environment where there are chirping birds or rushing water from a waterfall might decide to use a sound filtering device to block all the other sound and listen to the sounds which are most pleasant to them. Certain individuals will admit having difficulties concentrating in noisy environments. Noises from traffic sirens, for example, near a fire station and construction sites can be distracting for individuals living near such environments . With the use of noise blocking devices, individuals are more likely to get some peace and will be able to concentrate more on their activities. The major competition is from companies which are providing similar devices in the market such as earphones with the ability to reverse sound. These devices go for a similar price range which is an average of 10 dollars and are widely available at stalls.
Other competitors in the industry include companies who manufacture headphones, earplugs, medical practitioners and security personnel. Most youth will prefer to use earphones which are known to use music as compared to the noise blocking devices. Other individuals who are music lovers are also likely to advocate for earphones. Earphones are also easier to use in any environment. The noise blocking device by our company poses problems when the individual does not have any pleasant noise in their vicinity which they want to let in. The earphones are easily available and affordable, retailing at an average of 30 dollars, as compared to the noise blocking device. The noise blocking device also requires higher levels of technology devices which are not required by the earphones.
Unlike the noise blocking device which requires one to listen to all the noises and filter the pleasant ones while blocking those which are unwanted, the earphones require one to plug them into a device which has music on it. Earphones do not require a lot of effort, expertise and time to operate. Once one has acquired a set of headphones, they are easy to use. While the noise blocking device is better used in environments where sounds are expected to be consistent such as a specific building or room, headphones are effective in any environment. The headphones block out all other noises in the background, and the listener will only be in a position to listen to music of their selection. The user can also decide to let in some of the noise in the surrounding environment by reducing the volume of the device they are using.
Companies which manufacture ear plugs also offer a tremendous amount of competition in the industry. Earplugs are used by individuals who are likely to suffer harm from too much noise in the background. Too much noise can cause one to have hearing impairments. Often, when people are exposed to loud noises such as loud music, screeching, welding and screeching among others, they tend to have a buzzing feeling in the head. In extreme cases, the individual might lose their hearing ability and tend to shout and it takes more effort to hear. For instance, individuals who listen to loud music especially using headphones and earphones tend to shout and take longer to hear as compared to people who do not use similar devices. Earplugs are recommended by most medical practitioners since they provide the user with serenity which allows for higher levels of productivity. Sound blocking is healthier and recommended for people who exist in environments which are extremely noisy such as construction sites. Sound plugs are widely advocated by medical practitioners and people who work on construction sites. Earplugs cost 10 dollars as compared to the noise blocking devices which go for an average of 10 dollars and are available in most stalls .
Indirect competition arises from music producers and anyone who produces any audio media. These artists need people to listen to their music so that they can generate more income for themselves. Noise blocking is thus costly for the music industry and most of these individuals lure the audience with readily available music which can be downloaded from the internet for free. Music is also played over mainstream media such as the television and radios. These are strong marketing strategies which are associated with celebrities and which are likely to discourage people from getting sound blocking devices. Instead, people are more likely to go for devices which will enable them to listen to music. Music is also associated with artists who are mostly celebrities. The celebrity mentality among many people especially the young generation will influence the younger generations to prefer devices which enhance music.
In conclusion, the noise blocking technology receives competition from other major players in the industry who take advantage of the noises or the need for absolute serenity. Individuals who have no need for any noise at all are more likely to go for devices such as earplugs. Music is considered a pleasant sound and most individuals want to listen to music. Headphones and the noise blocking devices cost about the same range, and yet music is a noise that is loved across the globe by people from all backgrounds, not to mention the association with celebrities and the youth who form the majority of the population. Earplugs block all noises and are cheaper than the noise blocking device, and are safer to use.
References
Morrison, G. (2014, February 21). Are Noise Cancelling Headphones Worth It? Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2014/02/21/are-noise-cancelling-headphones-worth-it/#1d3e97447e26
National Academy of Engineering. (2010). Technology for a quieter America. Washington DC: National Academies Press.
