Would you like to speak on your phone--even loudly--without disturbing other people? Or are you concerned about the privacy of your conversations? Shiftall, a technology in Tokyo, has a solution: the Mutalk.
Design Boom reports that this Bluetooth-enabled microphone wraps around the head and, when activated, reduces the volume by about 20 decibels. A normal conversation is about 60 decibels, so this is a substantial reduction. When shouting, the volume level reduction is about 30 decibels.
Mutalk comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, so it can be used with headphones. This is especially helpful when using separate microphones and earphones.
The challenge in implementing this invention is that the people who most need it are also the least likey to do so.