It seems like this kind of thing could be technically feasible but the idea that people would use it to block the world out over a few inconveniences seems kind

It seems like this kind of thing could be technically feasible but the idea that people would use it to block the world out over a few inconveniences seems kind of depressing to me. Sometimes you end up making a friend simply because you found the conversation next you interesting. Like others in this thread are saying, though, it would be an incredible boon for people who use hearing aids.