A personal audio playback device having
gain control responsive to
environmental sounds provides for improved enjoyment of program material played back through
headphones, while further providing features for personal safety and communications with others. A
microphone is incorporated on the surface of the playback device, which includes an audio output connection for
headphones and internal storage for audio program material. The entire device may be incorporated within the
headphones, or the headphones may connect through a connector on the housing of the device. The
gain, type or position of the program material is controlled in conformity with a detected characteristic of ambient sounds received by the
microphone, which may be the amplitude of the signals in one or more frequency bands, or a particular type of sound, such as speech or vehicular sounds.
Multiple modes are selectable for
processing the audio, selecting program
material type and / or re-positioning the program material.