Music

Feel the music with Frederik Podzuweit's collar concept

Feel the music with Frederik Podzuweit's collar concept
Frederik Podzuweit has designed a collar that contains resonating membranes to allow the hard of hearing to feel the music
Frederik Podzuweit has designed a collar that contains resonating membranes to allow the hard of hearing to feel the music
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Sharing the audio or going solo, the concept would allow the hearing impaired to feel the music
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Sharing the audio or going solo, the concept would allow the hearing impaired to feel the music
The concept places special vibrating membranes in contact with the wearer, which expand and contract as music is played through the collar
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The concept places special vibrating membranes in contact with the wearer, which expand and contract as music is played through the collar
Controls at the front take care of playback
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Controls at the front take care of playback
It is proposed to make the collar expandable to suit users of all sizes
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It is proposed to make the collar expandable to suit users of all sizes
Bass sounds sit at the rear, mids atop each shoulder and highs towards the front
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Bass sounds sit at the rear, mids atop each shoulder and highs towards the front
Frederik Podzuweit has designed a collar that contains resonating membranes to allow the hard of hearing to feel the music
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Frederik Podzuweit has designed a collar that contains resonating membranes to allow the hard of hearing to feel the music
View gallery - 6 images

There are times when not being able to hear the wailing caterwaul that sometimes passes for music would be a distinct bonus. On the whole, though, the hearing impaired have it rough where music is concerned. A German designer has proposed incorporating a membrane into a special collar which resonates when music is played through it, allowing people with hearing difficulties to really get down and feel the funk.

Frederik Podzuweit's design could very well become the iPod for the hard of hearing. His concept places special vibrating membranes in contact with the wearer, which expand and contract as music is played through the collar. Bass sounds sit at the rear, mids atop each shoulder and highs towards the front.

The concept device would have a built-in radio receiver and an input for an audio player, with controls to the front to take care of playback. It is of course well known that the hearing impaired still enjoy music, in fact they probably experience it in ways the hearing can't even begin to appreciate. Podzuweit's collar may indeed help with this process but, as with most concepts, details of how (or even if) the device would actually work are lacking. For the moment, all we can do is look and wonder.

Should the design ever go into manufacture, it might be an idea to give users the option of wireless connectivity to media players as well as wired. It would undoubtedly need to be very, very lightweight and durable. My hearing is pretty sound, but even I would like to take this for a spin.

Via Design Blog

View gallery - 6 images
6 comments
6 comments
FredEx
There was a device back around 1980 that went around your neck as that does. I believe it was called a Bone Radio. You could hear the music through bone induction.
foghorn
Yeah Fred I think it was called the Bone Fone or something like that.
Brian Boyle
Yep, it was definitely called Bone Fone.
Facebook User
Yup, the Bone Fone from 1979-80. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/04/25/bone-fone/ By JS&A Products That Think
Yet another of the \"Think it\'s new? Think Again!\" products.
leondotcom
This has been done already in the 80\'s. Radio was called Fone-Bone:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/04/25/bone-fone/
gldrgidr
The Fone-Bone was a crude speaker. With the separation of low, mid, and high range to different body contact areas, it would be possible for hearing impaired to feel the differences and in effect, hear the music.