EAR MICROPHONE WITH ENHANCED SENSITIVITY

摘要

An ear-mounted microphone device (10) configured for being supported in the ear. The microphone device (10) includes a microphone element (17) contained within a housing (25) which is configured at one end to be mounted at a user's ear canal. When the housing (25) is so mounted, the microphone element (17) is positioned closely adjacent to the user's head such that the housing (25) and the user's head cooperatively alter the sensitivity of the microphone so as to provide an enhanced directional orientation and sensitivity of the microphone element (17) toward the user's mouth toa greater degree that is provided when the housing and microphoneelement are not mounted at the ear canal, so as to enhance pickup of the user's voice. A speaker element (13) may be included within the ear device (10) and can be decoupled mechanically by a gasket (50) bridge between the housing and microphone so as to avoid feedback. This system can operate with full duplex and enable hands free communication and direct voice command by user through computer modems, telephone networks and other communication systems.