A quiet night in?

The world is definitely getting weirder.

Did you know that the human ear doesn't just take in sounds, it actually gives them out too?

The latest idea from the phone boffins is to use the micro tones that are emitted from your ear as a security device for your mobile phone.

Apparently, otoacoustic emissions are produced by the tiny hair cells in the cochlea. We already know that the hair cells respond to vibrations in the air, translating them into electrical impulses for the brain to accept. But it appears that they also vibrate of their own accord, creating tiny sounds that are themselves too faint for us to hear.

It is thought that each set of sound vibrations is slightly different for each individual. Once those vibrations have travelled through the whole ear canal (also different to each individual) to the outside world, the sound becomes unique.

It's the exact equivalent of having a unique set of vocal folds, set inside a unique throat. Both together can make an instantly recognisable voice.

Banks are already looking into using supersensitive microphones on their phonelines, so that their callcentres can confirm that the caller is who they say they are. The question is, can we get conscious control over the signals (and what happens if they're out of tune?).

As with all good ideas, there are a couple of drawbacks...
It seems that the signals change slightly when you've got a cold, and they are also affected by alcohol.

So if you're using otoacoustic signals to unlock your front door, you're going to have to have an alcohol-free night out if you want to get back in!



The Vocal Process "opening your throat" techniques appear on the new sell-out Constriction and Release DVD
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