Guess This Gadget Tuesday: Rose Toilet Noise Blocker

Giving this thing a concise and accurate name is impossible. Strapya World in Japan calls it the “Ecohime and Ecootome,” a portable gadget that produces “soothing water” sounds to drown out embarrassing “toilet” noise. The Ecohime could be a lifesaver for people with phobias about public washroom usage, or it might make strangers wonder why there is a hurricane brewing in your stall.

Apparently, these sorts of noisemakers are commonplace in Japan, but if the video represents how the Ecohime really sounds, then, everywhere else in the world, it is going to draw far more attention to you than you should want. My advice is to consume more fiber, try to “go” at home, and ferret out usually unoccupied restrooms –how about those single-person, lockable Starbucks types?

The rose model is $11, while Hello Kitty! and imitation Disney versions are a bit higher.