5 Ways We Use Audio In Everyday Life

As consumers, audio solutions remain a part of everyday life. Think of the last birthday party you attended. There’s a good chance someone captured a few moments on video. Was there audio in the video? Of course. Audio is a necessary component of video. It provides depth to what would be an otherwise silent movie.

As consumers, audio is a part of the fabric of our everyday lives. In security, audio continues to assist in verifying alarms and deterring dangerous crimes. Moreover, audio streamlines business operations. Audio has evolved in tandem with video security. With that said, let’s explore some of the common ways we use audio in our everyday lives.

1. “Hey Siri”

Love it or hate it, we live in an era of digital personal assistants. To many, Apple’s Siri has become a part of daily life. Our digital assistants are “always-on” listening for verbal cues and commands for better or worse.

Hesitations concerning personal privacy dissipate when these devices and accompanying AI components enhance our day-to-day lives.

Older Americans are surprisingly adopting this technology exponentially. According to a recent report by the AARP, 59% of those surveyed reported that they were interested in “smart home and security tech.” The need for audio security is now more important than ever.

2. Social Media

We live in an era where we’re compelled to post every facet of our lives online.

With social media platforms being the crossroads of the internet and our lives, it should come as no surprise audio is a necessary component in the overall experience. Scroll through your Facebook or Instagram feed. There’s a good chance you’ll encounter a video showcasing last week’s BBQ or a distant friend’s tale of raising a child. We don’t think much of audio here because audio is ingrained in the overall social media experience.

3. YouTube

In an era of streaming, it should come as no surprise that services like YouTube have become necessary components in our day-to-day lives. What would that music video be without the audio?

Going further, think back to the last time you used YouTube to learn something new or improve a work-related skill like installing IP cameras on an antiquated analog security network.

4. Smartphones

There’s a reason some smartphone manufacturers have opted for stereo speakers on our devices: audio is a necessary component of the overall smartphone experience.

With today’s internet habits shifting to mobile devices, audio becomes a necessary part of the overall experience, even in remotely monitoring businesses. Professionals and business owners want the ability to accurately identify and become aware of triggered sounds, such as gunshots, glass breaking, or a disgruntled customer.

5. Television

Lastly, as televisions have gotten larger and flatter, audio has also experienced an evolution— Dolby Atmos. Consumers want high-defintion sound to match their 4k smart televisions. Without crisp audio, we’re essentially limiting ourselves to a sub-optimal entertainment experience.

Final Thoughts

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Is audio legal? Yes, audio use is legal.

In security, audio serves as complementary technology to video. Alarm verification, crime deterrence and prevention, and using audio to streamline business operations are just a few of the ways audio is being implemented in today’s security operations.

As a society, we have become aware of the benefits of using audio technology. The shift has assisted in a transition away from the video-only mindset of the security industry. By bringing audio back into the fold, we can provide another source to help protect people and property.