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I use headphones to listen to music or audio books while hiking, walking or exercising. I enjoy it, and also a useful tool to stop mental self-talk while being able to enjoy the surrounds.

But playing music over speakers that would interrupt the tranquillity of other people trying to enjoy the quiet and space is very not cool.

I've never done this, but if I was trying to be charitable; in bear country, I assume making noise to avoid startling the animals is best practice.

I have worn a bear bell on my backpack when I’m far out but that’s a bit different than a speaker as you could imagine.

Parks Canada says bear bells are not an effective deterrent against bears.

https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety...

I'm not in favour of speakers but it would be effective while a bear bell certainly won't.

People listen to music while hiking for the same reason they listen to music anywhere. They like it.

Bears