In audio, there’s an effect called masking. Basically, masking is the effect when a softer sound is made inaudible by a louder sound. The masking effect is the most significant when two sounds have similar frequencies. Sounds that have been masked are inaudible, and are of no use to the listener. It merely takes up sonic space.

Musicians (good ones) know this, that’s why they attempt to play in different ranges, to not clash with each other. Audio engineers know this, and that’s they mix sounds accordingly, equalizing sounds to make them sound different enough to be heard clearly.

To be heard, to be of use, you either have to really be the best (loudest sound) or you have to be different enough to be heard. If not, you’re probably just making things noisier.