A common misconception about the hearing impaired is their inability to experience the joy of music. They may not hear and process sound audibly but they certainly can feel it. In fact, studies have shown the sense of touch is heightened, allowing the deaf to perceive music in an altogether different way. Addressing the issue, German designer Frederik Podzuweit has come up with a collar concept called the “Music for deaf people” that uses electricity to make a special membrane substance expand and contract again, translating the sound into a series of vibrations. These vibrations are transferred to the user’s neck, shoulder and collarbone. The device also features a receiver for radio frequencies as well as plug-in for Mp3-Players to enhance the experience of the hearing impaired.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:08 am
I had a language teacher in CEGEP who was telling me that he either led a field trip for the deaf, or knew of one, to a concert where the speakers were rigged to flash with various colours, and the kids enjoyed looking at that and feeling the vibrations. Later that weekend, my brother taped a flag to his subwoofer and laughed very hard at how it’d bounce to the tune he was listening to. This is an interesting concept, and I’m glad to see designers exploring traditionally ignored groups of people like this. I hope they make a real prototype and test it out.
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May 27th, 2010 at 4:10 am
My band in college used to practice in the basement of our dorm. There was a deaf girl who used to come down to the practices. She would walk around touching the speakers, drums, etc. She seemed so happy during those times.
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May 27th, 2010 at 4:46 am
I went to a school with over 20% of the population being deaf. It can get annoying when they listen to music(mostly late at night). This device looks like it could solve that problem.
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May 27th, 2010 at 5:43 am
I’m not deaf… but really sensitive to touch… I REALLY WANT THAT!!!
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May 27th, 2010 at 6:39 am
Naresh thanks for sharing this information. Any one here can tell me from where i can buy this sort of equipment.? any web from where i can buy it online.?
May 29th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
It is a concept now, you can contact the designer Frederik Podzuweit if you’re interested in:
http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_details.asp?job_seeker_id=330755&t=&specialty=4&&page_no=&c=1
May 27th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I’m sorry you had to live in Tower A at RIT. For the record, I wasn’t one of those bass-thumpin’ deafies.
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May 27th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
[FRANKIE WILDE!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_All_Gone_Pete_Tong)
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May 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I don’t know why but this makes me very sad and very happy to read. I could see this as a beautiful short story. I just find it amazing when different people can enjoy the same things in different ways.
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July 23rd, 2010 at 4:23 am
Indian Music is really cool and some of it are great dance music too.*”‘