Abstract: A high fidelity earphone or hearing aid utilizes an acoustic path from a location near where the sound is delivered to the ear, to a location near the backside of the sound-producing diaphragm. A vent to the atmosphere from a location near the backside of the sound-producing diaphragm is also taught. A microphone on the earphone makes it safe to listen to the radio or a tape player in public, because of the capability of hearing outside sounds.