System, method and apparatus for suppressing crosstalk

A cross talk suppression apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame having one or more proximal audio output devices located proximal to a listener's left and/or right ear to allow the listener to receive at least a first sound output from said one or more proximal audio output devices wherein the proximal audio output devices are adapted to be connected to one or more audio input interfaces, said interfaces being adapted to generate one or more sounds that are substantially identical to one or more sounds emitted by one or more distal sound sources located relatively away from the listener's ears,
• the proximal audio output devices being mounted on the frame in a spaced relationship relative to the listener's left and/or right ear in a listening configuration to allow the listener to simultaneously receive a first and second sound output, the first output being provided by the proximal audio output devices and the second output being provided by the one or more distal audio output sources;
• and
• one or more volume controllers for controlling volume of the sound emitted by the one or more proximal audio output devices wherein preferably the one or more volume controllers are adapted for ensuring that the volume of the sound emitted by the one or more proximal audio output devices, as heard by the listener's ears, does not exceed loudness of distal sounds, as heard by the listener's ears.

A method for suppressing crosstalk for a listener, the method comprising:

• driving one or more proximal audio output devices for emitting a first sound output, the proximal audio output devices being located proximal to the listener's left and/or right ear;
• and
• driving one or more distal audio output devices for emitting a second sound output, the distal audio output devices being located relatively away from the listener without introducing an active time delay for the sound signal driving each of the proximal and the distal audio output devices;
• wherein the listener's left and/or right ear receives sound from the proximal audio output devices before or at the same time relative to the sound received by the listener's ear from the distal audio output devices and
• wherein loudness of the sound emitted from the proximal audio output devices, as heard by the listener's ears, does not exceed a loudness of the sound emitted from the distal audio output devices, as heard by the listener's ears.