I can only focus on one stream of words at a time, and can't filter very well. What this means is that if my wife is watching a TV show, I can't have a coherent conversation with her. If guys next to me are talking too loudly (and not rudely it anything, it's just an open office) I have trouble reading.

The other result: if music has lyrics, I can't read very well. Headphones like that are great, as long as you appreciate classical or EDM, lol.