Read the text below.
This fall, American audio equipment developer Bose [bohz] is bringing its first noise-masking device to more countries around the world.
First launched in the United States and in Canada last June, Bose’s Sleepbuds are now available in Bose outlets in India, Australia, Latin America, and other countries across Asia and Europe. The device may also be purchased online through the Bose website.
Unlike the noise-cancelling headphones that Bose is more commonly known for, the Sleepbuds are not made to play music. Instead, they are meant to mask unwanted background noise by playing 10 calming tracks. These tracks can be accessed through the Bose Sleep app.
To create the Sleepbuds, Bose assembled experts from different fields in sound technology and neurology. According to Bose’s category director of wellness, Brian Mulcahey [MUL-kay-hee], the Sleepbuds were developed to help people deal with sleep deprivation–a problem that has been affecting people’s health worldwide. The creators also boast about Sleepbuds’ comfortable design, which lets users wear the device inside their ears all night while they sleep.
Some reviews praised the device for its sleek design, comfort, and effectiveness in masking noise. However, a review published in The New York Times pointed out that the device’s ten built-in tracks were too few. The review’s writer said that although the Sleepbuds drowned out sound successfully, a device that costs $249 should offer users more than 10 tracks.
Mulcahey explained that the limited number of tracks is due to the small storage and battery capacity of the earbuds. He assured, however, that Bose would release more tracks in the future that would not only aid sleep, but also alleviate anxiety.