- A noise canceling microphone typically consists of an inner and outer diaphragm that are connected. The outer diaphragm receives sound waves on its inner and outer surfaces; ambient noise that hits one surface is immediately canceled by the same sound on the other surface. Vocal speech creates more pressure on the outer diaphragm, and consequently, travels down the microphone's acoustic tube to a transducer, which turns the speech into an electronic signal.
- Noise canceling microphones are most effective in noisy environments. Typical applications include large sports events, musical concerts and military activities such as tank and aircraft operations.
- The history of noise canceling microphone technology in the U.S. dates back to the 1940s, when they were first introduced for both military and commercial applications.
- Various types of noise canceling microphones are available, including boom-mounted microphones, headset microphones, Bluetooth earpieces and small hand-held microphones that plug directly into a digital recorder.
- As more innovative electronics products hit the market, noise canceling microphones may be used in an ever-increasing array of applications. Manufacturers are already designing microphones for use in wireless telephones, satellite phones and for underwater functions.
