[copperwater69]

My first impression before reading the article was that this was for people with perfect pitch to avoid areas blasting out of tune notes playing in public spaces. Very common in train stations, crosdswalks and elevator sounds etc.

[whatshisface]

They're not out of tune, they're just on... nonwestern scales. :)

[Filligree]

It's painful, but you do get used to it.

Or just... wear your headphones all the time, like I do. Would be nice if people didn't do that, but, well.

[lozenge]

Some people can't get used to it.