Technology these days!! Bone
conduction?? How is that possible??Well, these listening devices make use of bone conduction technology to deliver stereophonic sound through the listener’s cheekbones to the inner ear.
What is bone conduction technology?
Image: Google
This technology fundamentally eliminates the
use of the eardrum in hearing, unlike the normal hearing mechanism. Sound is conducted through the bones of the skull to
the inner ear. It uses the body’s natural
ability to conduct sound through bone. It is being used in sports, hearing aid development, and
everyday listening purposes.
There is a lot of research going on to
better the technology. Last year, a team from Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology in collaboration with Sahlgrenska University Hospital, also in Sweden, performed an inaugural surgery as part of clinical studies on a new bone conduction hearing implant.
This year, the “talking window”, a concept which transmits adverts to passengers
aboard a train/bus who lean against the glass window, has been premiered in Cannes,
France.
Why bone conduction?
The technology also reduces the risk of
eardrum damage associated with conventional earphones. It works perfectly well
with both normal and impaired hearing.
It must be noted that sound clarity is
high, even in noisy surroundings.
Some bone conduction
tech products...
The Cynaps hat is an ear-free listening gadget that looks like an ordinary baseball cap at first sight. Below, the bone conduction wiring is threaded through its band. It boasts a control panel, bluetooth connectivity with mobile phones, and a microphone for telephony.
Image: gizmag.com
The Aftershokz headphones,
specially designed for vigorous athletic activities, sits just in front of (not
inside or over) your ears, unlike conventional earphones. It boasts a microphone for telephony, sweat/water resistance, and compatible with Apple products.
Image: AfterShokz
Bret Geren from Fayetteville, AR commented:
“I was skeptical at first thinking the music won’t sound
as well with these but those thought were ended with the first song. I was
really impressed with the quality of the sound and could still hear things
around me at the same time. This is the way all headphones should be. The only
down side I can think of is it needs a Play/Pause/Advance Music button.”
The very popular Google Glass also affords
its users an open-ear listening experience.
Image: Google
These products, and all others powered by bone
conduction technology, offer users the comfort of enjoying their music while
paying attention to their surroundings, e.g. oncoming traffic and warning
sounds. This means an improved
listening experience with a spectrum of situational awareness and healthy
listening.
That’s
all for today!
Cheerio,
and imagine more!!
