A system and method that notifies the receipt of a voicemail message at an IP telephone using one or more of instant messaging and short message service. Through the technical solutions of the present invention, an entire information transmission procedure does not require cooperation of an operator and a process having a specific function to be embedded, so that the information transmission procedure is simplified. A speaker housing at least partially contacts the acoustic meatus of the ear and includes a speaker cover positioned proximate the canal when the earphone is mounted to the ear.