Throat microphone
Encyclopedia
A throat microphone, also laryngophone, is a type of contact microphone
that absorbs vibrations directly from the wearer's throat by way of single or dual sensors, often called "transducer
," worn against the neck. The throat microphone's design has several advantages. The transducer
can pick up speech even in extremely noisy or windy environments, such as on a motorcycle
or in a night club, whereas other types of microphones do not function well under those conditions because of high levels of background noise. More advanced throat microphones are also able to pick up whispers, and therefore performs well in environments where one has to keep quiet while communicating with others at a distance, such as during covert military operations. Throat microphones are also very useful when helmets or respiratory protection is required. Many full-face SCBA, SAR
, SABA
, PAPR or re-breather masks do not have a provision for a microphone inside the mask. The throat microphone can be used safely as it is positioned outside the mask's face seal and as such does not compromise the respiratory protection provided by the mask nor does it violate mask approvals and certification.
incorporated earphones and a throat mic into the design of the world’s first pressure suit to explore the limits of high-altitude, long-distance flight.
Starting in the 1970s, researchers explored the use of throat microphones in speech therapy, especially to relieve stuttering.
Of course, throat microphones have still maintained their presence in the military, SWAT
, law enforcement
, and emergency services. Newer single-transducer
designs are available that make the throat microphone much more comfortable to wear than earlier units and also better balance transmission quality. Additionally, this next generation of throat microphones provides varying outputs and frequency responses to accommodate a wide variety of professional communication devices such as digital and analog portable radios and TETRA
& P25 systems.
In 2009 Mad Catz
released the first "throat microphone" for game consoles as a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
-branded Xbox 360 accessory. It should be noted that these devices (usually marketed as "throat communicators")are not true throat microphones, since they have no transducer
and simply incorporate a throat-mounted boom mic. These therefore will still pick up background noise from and cannot transmit whispers.
Several throat microphones now exist for mobile phones, including iPhone
.
Contact microphone
A contact microphone, otherwise known as a pickup or a piezo, is a form of microphone designed to sense audio vibrations through solid objects. Unlike normal air microphones, contact mics act as transducers which pick up vibrations and convert them into a voltage which can then be made audible...
that absorbs vibrations directly from the wearer's throat by way of single or dual sensors, often called "transducer
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another. Energy types include electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic , chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term transducer commonly implies the use of a sensor/detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a...
," worn against the neck. The throat microphone's design has several advantages. The transducer
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another. Energy types include electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic , chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term transducer commonly implies the use of a sensor/detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a...
can pick up speech even in extremely noisy or windy environments, such as on a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
or in a night club, whereas other types of microphones do not function well under those conditions because of high levels of background noise. More advanced throat microphones are also able to pick up whispers, and therefore performs well in environments where one has to keep quiet while communicating with others at a distance, such as during covert military operations. Throat microphones are also very useful when helmets or respiratory protection is required. Many full-face SCBA, SAR
SAR
- Organizations :* SAR Records, an American record labels* Scholars at Risk, a network of academic institutions organized to support academic freedom* School for Advanced Research, an anthropological/archaeological research center in Santa Fe, New Mexico...
, SABA
SABA
The Schwarzwälder Apparate-Bau-Anstalt was a German manufacturer for electronic equipment founded in 1923 at Triberg im Schwarzwald , present-day Baden-Württemberg....
, PAPR or re-breather masks do not have a provision for a microphone inside the mask. The throat microphone can be used safely as it is positioned outside the mask's face seal and as such does not compromise the respiratory protection provided by the mask nor does it violate mask approvals and certification.
History
Later, Soviet pilots relied on LA-3 and LA-5 models. In 1939, aviator Wiley PostWiley Post
Wiley Hardeman Post was a famed American aviator, the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Also known for his work in high altitude flying, Post helped develop one of the first pressure suits. His Lockheed Vega aircraft, the Winnie Mae, was on display at the National Air and Space Museum's...
incorporated earphones and a throat mic into the design of the world’s first pressure suit to explore the limits of high-altitude, long-distance flight.
Starting in the 1970s, researchers explored the use of throat microphones in speech therapy, especially to relieve stuttering.
Of course, throat microphones have still maintained their presence in the military, SWAT
SWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
, law enforcement
Law enforcement
Law enforcement broadly refers to any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to promote adherence to the law by discovering and punishing persons who violate the rules and norms governing that society...
, and emergency services. Newer single-transducer
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another. Energy types include electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic , chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term transducer commonly implies the use of a sensor/detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a...
designs are available that make the throat microphone much more comfortable to wear than earlier units and also better balance transmission quality. Additionally, this next generation of throat microphones provides varying outputs and frequency responses to accommodate a wide variety of professional communication devices such as digital and analog portable radios and TETRA
Tetra
thumb|right|250px|Pristella tetra — [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|Golden Pristella tetra, a [[morph |morph]] of [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|[[Silvertip tetra]] — Hasemania nana....
& P25 systems.
In 2009 Mad Catz
Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles headquartered in San Diego, California. It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables, headphones and other human interface devices.- History :The company was...
released the first "throat microphone" for game consoles as a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles and the Microsoft Windows operating system. Officially announced on February 11, 2009, the game was released worldwide on...
-branded Xbox 360 accessory. It should be noted that these devices (usually marketed as "throat communicators")are not true throat microphones, since they have no transducer
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another. Energy types include electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic , chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term transducer commonly implies the use of a sensor/detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a...
and simply incorporate a throat-mounted boom mic. These therefore will still pick up background noise from and cannot transmit whispers.
Several throat microphones now exist for mobile phones, including iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
.