That's half my point, yes. Plus the fact that many many people probably just claim it helps them concentrate because it helps them drown out worse distractions.

That's half my point, yes. Plus the fact that many many people probably just claim it helps them concentrate because it helps them drown out worse distractions. If these other distractions didn't exist, the music however would make it worse. Unfortunately though you can also get used to a certain noise floor though and if that noise floor is gone, that's uncomfortable in its own right. If you've never been, try to find one of those complete silence rooms where even your footsteps 'disappear'. It's deafening. Your TV example I think shows some of this very nicely. You are able to drown out the TV in your head but you aren't able to actually multitask. If you were, you'd know what went on in the show and also get your task done productively. Unless the TV itself drowns out other more distracting things, just not having the TV on would probably be better for concentration. YMMV in case you are so used to all the noise that you need "something there" because otherwise you get say tinnitus. I do the TV thing too sometimes but inadvertently. I watch TV, am a little bored perhaps and start say reading HN and at some point notice that the show is over. I totally drowned out the show.