New Headphones to Cut Noise Pollution

TOKYO —  If raucous pop music from your neighbor’s Walkman prevents you from enjoying your Brahms tape, you may appreciate this invention.

Japan’s Sony Corp. has designed new headphones for its portable Walkman stereos that reduce audio leakage.

“The idea is not to disturb others,” a spokesman said.

Riders of trains and buses have often been bothered by noise pollution from high frequency sounds that escape from Walkman headphones, especially when played at high volume.