"There are a variety of shoulder rests that a player can use. This one is quite wide here, can rotate in this direction, can bend in the middle, and is adjustable for height."
Different shoulder rests suit different physiques (long neck or short neck, broad shoulder or slight build) and it can be a lengthy process to find the right one. As your physique and needs change over time you may want to consider a different type of shoulder rest.
All rests deaden the sound to a certain extent so it is important that we maximise the benefits (potential freedom in shifting and vibrato) from using them.
At some stage in your development, it is useful to practise without a rest to increase your awareness of how the violin fits the body.
The shoulder rest shown here is Wolf Forte Secondo....