We used to have a small battery operated one. Hubby's addicted---can't enter a room that he heads for the TV. But I think it's for background noise. Personally, I can live without it.

Having on in our SXM unit DID help once. Had on CNN and suddenly heard "Live from Ashton, RI ....flooding..." That's only a few miles from us so we called home to make sure we had no problem.