Speaker Mic Headphone Jack: The Story Behind It | EarHugger
Most people never think twice about the speaker mic headphone jack. It’s been there as long as they can remember. But it actually started with a close call on a police radio.
A speaker mic is the small speaker and microphone many officers wear on their shoulder. It connects to the two-way radio on their belt, so they can listen and talk without grabbing the radio.
How it started
EarHugger began in 1995 because of a problem one police officer faced on the job.
Officer Ryan King was responding to a call involving a wanted suspect. While he was face to face with the suspect, dispatch came over his radio with details about the suspect’s outstanding warrants.
The suspect heard every word. He attacked Officer King, and that night almost ended in tragedy.
Shortly after, King added a headphone jack to his speaker mic. With an earpiece plugged in, only he could hear his radio.
The idea caught on fast. Within five years, nearly every speaker mic in the world had a headphone jack.
That headphone jack was EarHugger’s first innovation. Today, we’re a world leader in durable radio accessories. We serve public safety, military, security, hospitality, retail, construction and entertainment professionals around the world.
Why it still matters
What happened to Officer King can still happen today. If your radio plays out loud, anyone standing nearby can hear it- often, information that’s only meant for you and your team.
- Police and security need to keep suspects and bystanders from hearing radio traffic.
- Hospitals and schools need to keep patient and student information private.
- Hotels and stores need to help guests and customers without radio chatter in the background.
An earpiece plugged into your speaker mic’s headphone jack fixes that. Only you hear what comes over the radio.
Earpieces for your speaker mic headphone jack
| Who it’s for | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Police and plainclothes | Eartube Earpiece | Sound travels up a clear tube, so only you hear your radio |
| Security, hospital and school staff | Earbud Earpiece | Comfortable earbud held in place by the EarHugger® frame |
Need a speaker mic with a jack? The HD™ Speaker Mic has a 3.5mm earpiece jack.
Quick tip: check your speaker mic headphone jack size before you order. It’s either 2.5mm or 3.5mm. If a regular headphone plug fits, it’s 3.5mm. Our earpieces come in both sizes. Not sure? Give us a call and we’ll help.
Will it work with my radio?
Our products work with hundreds of radios, and most come in versions made for specific radio models.
Not sure what fits your radio? Give us a call at 801-371-8900 or send us a message. We’ll quickly help you find what works with your specific radio.
Learn more about how we got started here.