Despite the classification of music as a principally aural medium, the Music Echo reminds you that you don't need to have the gift of hearing to appreciate rhythm.
This clever gadget was designed by Jennifer Crossley of the University of Dundee in Scotland to offer the hearing impaired the opportunity to experience beat in a more hands-on way -- literally. The Music Echo personal music player transmits tunes in two ways: through a set of headphones and, more ingeniously, through a string of vibrating beads. A deaf listener can hold the Music Echo cord between his fingers or tuck it into his pocket to receive a translation of the song or instrumental track through varied patterns of pulsations.
Photo Credits: Flickr
Tactile Tune Transmitters
Music Echo Transfers the Beats from Your Player to Vibrating Beads
Trend Themes
1. Tactile Music Appreciation - Devices that allow the hearing-impaired to appreciate music using touch, offering opportunities for design and marketing of new gadgets
2. Multipurpose Auditory Devices - More and more devices are being designed to serve the needs of the hearing-impaired in multiple ways, opening up exciting opportunities for cross-industry collaboration
3. Accessible Personalization - Designers are developing more personalized devices that cater to the specific needs of users with disabilities, driving innovation in assistive technology
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - Incorporating technology with assistive features can provide new avenues for development of consumer electronic devices
2. Medical Devices - Advancements in hearing impairment technology are creating new markets for medical devices
3. Music and Entertainment - Creating devices that cater to the hearing-impaired create an opportunity to bring music and entertainment to a broader audience