New Gadget Earphones Double As Microphone

Researchers at Japan's Micro M's Inc. have developed mobile phone earphones that also replace microphones.

Instead of picking up the sound of the user's voice with a conventional microphone, however, the headset, which is branded the EM-MODE, detects vibrations in the inner ear.

The concept is similar to bone-conduction speakers, but in reverse.

When people speak, according to researchers, their eardrums vibrate in response to nearby vocal chords. A controller on a cable attached to the earphones enables the user to toggle between listening and talking modes. The key advantage of the new EM-MODE technology is that background noise is dramatically reduced.

The company envisions the headphones being used in noisy industrial settings, but they could be sold to consumers as well.

The company hopes to start selling the device tomorrow for about $150.