Methods and devices for sound detection and audio control are provided. A listening device (100) can include a receiver (102) and a sound director for directing a sound produced by the receiver into an ear of the user, a microphone (104) and a mount for mounting the microphone so as to receive the sound in an environment, a detector for detecting an auditory signal in the sound received by the microphone, and an alerting device for alerting the user to the presence of the auditory signal. The user's personal safety is enhanced due to the user being alerted to the presence of the auditory signal, which otherwise may be unnoticed by the user due to a loud sound level created at the ear of the user by the receiver.