Transparent hearing

This paper describes what we call Transparent Hearing: the use of microphone equipped headphones for augmented audio. It provides a framework for experiments like real-time audio alteration, multi-modal sensory integration and collaborative listening experiences. We attach high-quality microphones to headphones and send the signal through a computer to these headphones. We have built headphones that stop the music if somebody wants to talk to you, a pseudophone, and collaborative I hear What You Hear headphones that are triggered by eye-contact.