(function($) {
    $.fn.listenForChange = function(options) {
        settings = $.extend({
            interval: 200 // in microseconds
        }, options);

        var jquery_object = this;
        var current_focus = null;

        jquery_object.filter(":input").add(":input", jquery_object).focus( function() {
            current_focus = this;
        }).blur( function() {
            current_focus = null;
        });

        setInterval(function() {
            // allow
            jquery_object.filter(":input").add(":input", jquery_object).each(function() {
                // set data cache on element to input value if not yet set
                if ($(this).data('change_listener') == undefined) {
                    $(this).data('change_listener', $(this).val());
                    return;
                }
                // return if the value matches the cache
                if ($(this).data('change_listener') == $(this).val()) {
                    return;
                }
                // ignore if element is in focus (since change event will fire on blur)
                if (this == current_focus) {
                    return;
                }
                // if we make it here, manually fire the change event and set the new value
                $(this).trigger('change');
                $(this).data('change_listener', $(this).val());
            });
        }, settings.interval);
        return this;
    };
})(jQuery);