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Waterproof MP3 Player Uses Bone Conduction

Posted by michael on from the reverb dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Aquatic training product manufacturer Finis has just released a waterproof digital music portable for swimmers and surfers that claims to solve a problem with such devices in the water. Regular earphones don't work well because they need an uninterrupted air channel to function. What makes the SwiMP3 unique is that it uses bone conduction to stimulate the inner ear and deliver sound."

5 of 257 comments (clear)

  1. Not new by WhatsAProGingrass · · Score: 5, Informative

    This may be new to the MP3 world, but this method is nothingnew.

    "The BAHA is a surgically implantable system for treatment of hearing loss that works through direct bone conduction. It has been used since 1977, and was cleared by the FDA in 1996 as a treatment for conductive and mixed hearing losses in the United States. In 2002, the FDA approved its use for the treatment of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss." from here

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    Mark
  2. This is just another example of... by igrp · · Score: 4, Informative
    ... military technology eventually being used in civilian applications. The SEALs have used bone conduction for a while now. And according to the Navy Wire Service this technology has already been transfered to other fields, namely, to be used by emergency response personell. So this is just the next step...

    Bone conduction is actually a pretty good idea: the ear drum is too close to the density of the water to stop any sound wave when in immersion. The bones are hard enough to stop the fast sound waves though. Basically the bones from the neck and skull resonate and carry the vibrations.

  3. Re:But how deep? by RangerRick98 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Gizmodo pointed out that they didn't mention any depth information in their press release, so it probably isn't designed for diving.

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    "You're older than you've ever been, and now you're even older."
  4. This is NOT unique! by Systems+Curmudgeon · · Score: 4, Informative

    A product that was poorly marketed in the late 1970's was called the "Bone Phone." It was a walkman-style audio player intended for runners, and you heard the music through your bones (no earpiece). I believe it was invented by a Princetonian. If any patents are claimed on this, there is prior art! - systems curmudgeon, AKA: The Precision Blogger http://precision-blogging.blogspot.com

  5. IDEA NOT NEW by gp310ad · · Score: 5, Informative

    Bone Fone is a 70's example employing acoustic conduction through the body as opposed to the evolutionary air to ear route.

    WW-II AT&T 'throat microphone' also made use of 'conductued' sound and it was common for early (20's) radio operators to place their headphones on skull or jaw behind ears rather than over ears. This afforded some degree of 'automatic volume control', protected them from loud static crashes, and made it easier to discern a weak signal when near a strong one.

    Back when I swam a lot we puT speakers inside plastic bags and hung them ver the side of the pool. It was OK when both ears were under water but not practical for listening while swimming. Combined with speakers above the water it wasn't much better. Swimming is pretty noisy and indoor pool acoustics generally suck.

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