Posted May 01, 2020 16:18:09 A muffler is the metal piece you put over your mouthpiece.
It has been around for thousands of years, but the term ‘mufflin’ was coined by a Dutch woman who would wear one to work and a friend in London, the latter a journalist.
“It’s kind of an oxymoron to put on the top of your mouth and you’ll never see your face in a photo, you can’t,” Ms Zink told ABC Radio Melbourne’s Breakfast program.
Ms Zink’s invention has changed the way people see and hear what a muffle is, allowing her to talk with people about their everyday life.
“I was thinking how if you put a mufflin on your mouth you’re going to be able to speak louder, I was really excited to try it and I’ve been doing it since last year,” she said.
“My friend, she was using it all the time on the street, she told me she loved it, she loves it.”
Ms Zinks invention is the work of an engineer who wanted to show people that it was possible to create a product that would enhance their hearing and help them understand how their mouth works.
She said the first time she put on her muffler she felt her jaw drop, her mouth close to the floor, and her throat begin to swell.
“The sound is actually muffling my mouth and my throat is just kind of contracting and tightening and the whole area is tightening,” she explained.
“So I’m really lucky I’m able to do that.”
She was able to record the audio and upload it to YouTube, which has now been viewed more than 12 million times.
“When I started recording I had to use a lot of my own money, and my girlfriend’s money,” she recalled.
“We had to borrow a lot and then she really helped me out with that, so I think that helped me really with the project.”
Ms Niel said her invention has also improved her overall health, allowing the woman to take on more demanding work.
“Now I can do a lot more stuff without my mouth collapsing,” she joked.
“Because I can open up my mouth without having to hold down the button on the muffler.”
Ms Paz said the company is hoping to be open for business in Australia by early next year.
Topics:australia