"Bone-Conducting Headphones" Are a Thing That Exist Now

Mstrswrd

Always playing Touhou. Always.
Mar 2, 2008
1,724
0
0
This is a thing that existed in the 1980's. It worked somewhat differently, but here: http://www.retrothing.com/2006/01/the_bone_fone_r.html

It was a scarf that had speakers that pumped the sound into your collarbone to transfer up into your head. As you can imagine, it wasn't exactly a hot seller.
 

Lil_Rimmy

New member
Mar 19, 2011
1,139
0
0
Uh, yeah, like the twenty before hand, this has been done before. Hell, a while back fire-fighters in some country (forgive me, brain) switched to using a version of this because they couldn't hear each other on their radios, and they even had some sort of jaw microphone to stop noise from the fire from being broadcast.

Now, I like the look of these in the sense that if I was at a Shadowrun party or some other cyberpunk thing, I'd totally wear them. Otherwise? Fuck no, this is basically Google Glasses - Hearing Edition. Just like google glasses, if they could make it much smaller and unnoticeable it would be revolutionary. But as it stands no society is going to suddenly start using these ridiculous things because we already have devices that are much less gimmicky and do exactly the same thing.
 

FPLOON

Your #1 Source for the Dino Porn
Jul 10, 2013
12,531
0
0
Grouchy Imp said:
You managed to go the entire article without mentioning <a href=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lobot>Lobot.
"You think these people can hear you, but they're just too busy listening to music through their brain to bother speaking to us 'organics'."

OT: I wonder if these will come in newborn baby size... Mozart will be seeped into their brain, dammit! :p

Other than that, shouldn't these come with a front strap? I want mine to simulate a headband, if you will...
 

Strazdas

Robots will replace your job
May 28, 2011
8,407
0
0
sounds interesting and innovative. i wonder though what prolonger skull vibration does to the brain matter. it tens to be very delicate when it comes to skull damage even if not obviuos at first.

Hairless Mammoth said:
This might be good for all those people foolish enough to wear headphone walking or biking next to traffic and railroad tracks, if the audio can't be turned high enough to drown out external sounds. I've heard of a few stories with nasty endings.
as one of those people one quickly learns to "look around even if you dont expect anything to be there" when you can no longer hear the outside world. Also due to the way this works it is literally impossible to remove the outside sounds (which is a minus to many audiophilles actually)

EndlessSporadic said:
You guys seem to fail to realize that this is how modern hearing aids work. This technology would actually allow certain deaf people to hear since it bypasses the ears completely. I wouldn't go passing this off without considering the medical advantages of this technology.
thats a very good point. though it would only help those with outer ear damage. Its not so much that we are dismissing them but rather worried about possible sideeffects since you know it directly sends vibrations to our brains (vibrating skull moves the brains).
 

K.ur

New member
Jul 31, 2013
209
0
0
Lil_Rimmy said:
Uh, yeah, like the twenty before hand, this has been done before. Hell, a while back fire-fighters in some country (forgive me, brain) switched to using a version of this because they couldn't hear each other on their radios, and they even had some sort of jaw microphone to stop noise from the fire from being broadcast.
The german GSG 9 also uses something like that. The "speaker" is in the top of the helmet and their mask needs a little hole there to connect to the skull enough to work. Also, i think you meant throat microphone, it's what tank-crews use and what the expensive motorbike radio are.

OT:
Though, actually this seems interesting. Seems kinda more hygienic if you have game seasons of more than half an hour and use the complete closing style of headphones. At least for my living alone situation, outside noise isn't really a concern.
 

Janichsan

New member
May 26, 2015
108
0
0
Pirate Of PC Master race said:
Oh well, only thing I can say about it is health issues, namely brain and cranium related health hazard - who can say what can a long exposure could possibly cause?
There are no health issues. For one, this is tried and tested technology (as others have already pointed out). Secondly, bone conduction is major part of your hearing anyway: pretty much every noise you make yourself ? including your own voice ? reaches your inner ears by bone conduction.
 

Petromir

New member
Apr 10, 2010
593
0
0
Janichsan said:
Pirate Of PC Master race said:
Oh well, only thing I can say about it is health issues, namely brain and cranium related health hazard - who can say what can a long exposure could possibly cause?
Secondly, bone conduction is major part of your hearing anyway: pretty much every noise you make yourself ? including your own voice ? reaches your inner ears by bone conduction.
Indeed, this is the primary reason that most people perceive their voice to sound so different when heard on a recording, the bone conduction element is missing.
 

Lightknight

Mugwamp Supreme
Nov 26, 2008
4,860
0
0
JaredJones said:
As for my first impression? Well, I think Batband -- like Google glass before it -- seems like a pretty goofy way to cure the most first-worldy of problems. It looks like it would blow right off your head in a stiff breeze, for starters, which isn't even to mention the fact that the creators behind it seem to have a fundamentally flawed understanding of why headphones were invented in the first place (to shut the world *out*). Then again, Batband fits right in line with what we've come to expect from Ostrich Pillow [http://studiobananathings.com/], so I'm sure it'll be a big hit.
Or, how about an individual with a deaf ear that is normally draining (required for bone conduction) that can now hear stereo or sound without having to get a bone anchored hearing aid performed.

But sure, "first world problems". Fuck me, am I right?
 

Phasmal

Sailor Jupiter Woman
Jun 10, 2011
3,676
0
0
As a person with slight hearing loss (some outer/inner ear damage, more on one side than the other), I'm curious as to how this would sound for me, or if it'd help with the fact I can't really tell where sounds come from due to having more hearing in one ear than the other. And as to how it could be used for people with hearing troubles (which I don't include myself in, my hearing loss is quite mild).

Seems like a pretty cool thing to me. Probably not something I'd buy but if I had loads of money I'd get one.
And it'd be useful to use while playing video games if it also allows you to hear outside sounds.
 

Guffe

New member
Jul 12, 2009
5,106
0
0
I never like it when the term, or similar to, "injected directly into your brain" is used... it sounds somehow... horrible...
But aah well, guess it'll be a nice piece of tech when it comes out :)
 

Lightknight

Mugwamp Supreme
Nov 26, 2008
4,860
0
0
Phasmal said:
As a person with slight hearing loss (some outer/inner ear damage, more on one side than the other), I'm curious as to how this would sound for me, or if it'd help with the fact I can't really tell where sounds come from due to having more hearing in one ear than the other. And as to how it could be used for people with hearing troubles (which I don't include myself in, my hearing loss is quite mild).

Seems like a pretty cool thing to me. Probably not something I'd buy but if I had loads of money I'd get one.
And it'd be useful to use while playing video games if it also allows you to hear outside sounds.
Contrary to the claim that this kickstarter is making, it is not the first time. There are several bone conducting headsets already on the market. $50 for a decent one.

As long as you have a normally draining ear then this should sidestep your actual hearing. I've ordered one with prime delivery and will be able to tell you if that is the case in about two days.
 

Jadak

New member
Nov 4, 2008
2,136
0
0
A quick google search will tell you that this stuff is entirely a reality already.

It's cool and all, and possibly helpful to people with certain varieties of hearing issues, but this particularly Kickstarter doesn't seem to be anything new other than the overly obnoxious looking visual design.
 

Cowabungaa

New member
Feb 10, 2008
10,806
0
0
I wonder, doesn't a model like this get really uncomfortable after a while? After all, it's applying some pressure right on your temples. And knowing my temples that's some prime headache real estate.
 

Stryc9

Elite Member
Nov 12, 2008
1,294
0
41
midnightdown said:
Stryc9 said:
This isn't exactly new technology, they've just made it smaller http://blog.modernmechanix.com/bone-fone/
Also, they've had nice small ones for a long time, my friend has had a pair of these for more than a year: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RP-BTGS10-H-Bluetooth-Water-Resistant-Headphones/dp/B00KWKKHDS
Something to think about for when my LG Tones eventually kick the bucket, they're only slightly more expensive than the last set of Tones I bought.
 

songnar

Modulator
Oct 26, 2008
229
0
0
So it's a bulkier version of Aftershokz with a bigger price point? Eh. Alright, as you like it.
 

EHKOS

Madness to my Methods
Feb 28, 2010
4,815
0
0
I don't see what good it could do, our brains are not dual-cores. We still couldn't process both the music and whatever else at once. And the cool MGS codec thing aside, I wonder how it would work with people who have long, poofy hair like me.
 

Scow2

New member
Aug 3, 2009
801
0
0
EHKOS said:
I don't see what good it could do, our brains are not dual-cores. We still couldn't process both the music and whatever else at once. And the cool MGS codec thing aside, I wonder how it would work with people who have long, poofy hair like me.
Your right - our brains aren't "dual-cores" - The brain is MUCH better equipped at handling and processing simultaneous input than any multi-cored CPU.

And yes, we can process both the music and everything else. In fact, it's already processing far, far more, and picking up subtle audio cues your not even conscious of.
 

Lightknight

Mugwamp Supreme
Nov 26, 2008
4,860
0
0
Lightknight said:
JaredJones said:
As for my first impression? Well, I think Batband -- like Google glass before it -- seems like a pretty goofy way to cure the most first-worldy of problems. It looks like it would blow right off your head in a stiff breeze, for starters, which isn't even to mention the fact that the creators behind it seem to have a fundamentally flawed understanding of why headphones were invented in the first place (to shut the world *out*). Then again, Batband fits right in line with what we've come to expect from Ostrich Pillow [http://studiobananathings.com/], so I'm sure it'll be a big hit.
Or, how about an individual with a deaf ear that is normally draining (required for bone conduction) that can now hear stereo or sound without having to get a bone anchored hearing aid performed.

But sure, "first world problems". Fuck me, am I right?
I should also point out that this device carries significant benefits for blind people by allowing them to use a headset while walking without obstructing their ability to hear the environment around them.

Single sided deafness, blind assistance, otherwise hearing impaired (since it sidesteps the outer ear entirely). Definitely not "first world problems". Still irritated by that line in the article. I've got a pair of aftershokz being delivered to my home today or tomorrow that will enable me to hear in stereo for the first time in my life.