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They say necessity is the mother of invention, yes? Well thanks to hearing impaired people we're now going to get metal detectors built into our mobile phones reports this week.

Disability has certainly been the driver of many an important innovation - both email and telephones were invented by deaf people in search of hearing aids and a method by which to communicate, for instance. But as Nokia strive to make their phones more accessible to those of us who can't hear so well, they realised that the audio boosting induction coil technology that they are including in their handsets can also double up as short range metal detecting devices.

So, we've had: satnav, calculators, compasses, spirit levels, cameras and thermometers on phones to help us with daily living (whether we want them or not) ... well now you'll be able to check out where wires are embedded in walls before you drill or if the person standing next to you at the bus stop is packing an AK47 in his jeans pocket. And all with the same device you text yer mates with to tell them what pub to meet in.

On behalf of the hearing world, can I extend thanks to all deaf people reading this. If you didn't exist, I might have got knifed.