OT: Personal Audio Space?

["Allan Hoeltje" <ahoeltje@best.com>]

Sorry if this seems too far off topic but I figured someone here might know
about hearing aid technology.  I will also throw in some loop content.  :-)

Have you ever been in a loud restaurant and couldn't make out what the
person sitting across from you was saying because the background noise was
so loud?

What I want is a "perception aid".  It seems to me that DSP's are good
enough that if combined with a couple good microphones you could cancel out
the noise and enhance the nearby sound.  Fit the electronics and mics into 
a
battery powered, walkperson sized box, plug into it with head phones (the
ear plug kind, like what some performers use on stage) and have yourself a
"personal audio space".

Anyone know if this is possible, or available?

For looping or recording, it could be used as a pre-amp (a de-amp?) in 
noisy
places.

Always Curious,

-Allan