Bone Conduction

 Bone Conduction 

Have you ever wondered how deaf people can perceive music? Those with conductive hearing loss, can perceive music through bone conduction. This can be done by the phenomenon known as Bone conduction (BC) as “vibration are transmitted through the bones of the skill to the cochlea and the associated sensorineural structures resulting in the perception of sound” (Brandt & Winters, 2023, para.1). That required an external audio processor to pick up the sound vibrations to transmit them, bone conduction hearing devices (BCHDs) helps those with this phenomenon, as it sends sound vibrations through the skull’s bones directly to the inner ear, essentially bypassing the middle ear and eardrum. 

Bone conduction hearing device has only recently gained traction in the electronics market. As its unlike traditional earbuds or air conduction headphones it, allows the user to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying music or activities. They are adjustable headpieces that are worn around the back of the head.  Most bone conduction headphone manufactures opt to place the stimulus on the jawbone onto the mastoid stimulus, which is believes to offer a clearer and most consistent signal for optimal bone conduction stimulation. I found this concept interesting as this allows for people to hear in a more natural way, as we ourselves can hear own voice. It offers a way to transmit audio while keeping your ear canals open, with technology constantly improving this auditory method can only be improved from here. 

References 

Brant, P, J, Winters, R. (2023). Bone Conduction Evaluation. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578177/