Bone Conduction

Swim coaches have a difficult job, as they have to shout in order for swimmers to hear them – and even then, they still may not be heard. The Sonr system is designed to address that problem, using one-way radio communications.

It looks like a fitness tracker, acts like a smartwatch, yet has has no buttons or screen. It also plays audio when you touch your finger to your ear and is gesture and voice-controlled. It's called Get and its creators think it could change the way we connect with each other and our information.

​Back in 2010, Sonitus Technologies introduced a novel in-mouth hearing aid called the SoundBite. Now the US Department of Defense has awarded the company a contract to develop a wireless two-way comms system that clips to a user's back teeth.​

​Besides talking into a shoe, the most spy-like way to take a phone call is to just stick your finger in your ear. Orii allows you to do that, thanks to bone conduction technology that sends vibrations through your hand to directly stimulate the little ear bones responsible for hearing.

​​Not only is it unsafe to wear earbuds while cycling or riding a motorbike, but it's also a hassle to fit those buds on underneath your helmet. That's why Ahead was created. It gets mounted on the outside of any type of helmet, and transmits streamed audio into that helmet via vibrations.

Listening to music while out for a run can help make exercise less of a chore and much more fun. The Conduit Sports headphones have both bone conduction technology, which means that users can still hear what's going on around them, and integrated earbuds that cater for a more isolated approach.

When a New Atlas writer was offered the chance to try a pillow that promised to play one sound that could drown out the others in his head, he happily accepted. But did the Dreampad pillow really help?​ Let's just say it was a real snoozer.

It's not only bicycles that are getting smarter. The latest smart cycling accessory on its way to streets, the Coros Linx smart helmet pulls those irritating, dangerous earbuds out of the cyclist's ears, using bone conduction for music play, hands-free calling and other audio features.

​Smartglasses aren't unlike smartphones, in that you don't want just anyone picking up yours and using it. Conventional passwords are one way to go, but scientists have developed an alternative that doesn't involve memorizing anything – you do, however, have to let the glasses buzz your skull.​

Listening to music via headphones can isolate the listener from the rest of the world. The new Batband bone conduction headphones, however, allow users to to still hear what is going on around them. Audio is transmitted through the bones of the skull, while the ears remain uncovered.

BAE Systems is in the process of developing bone conduction technology for use by soldiers on the battlefield. The helmet-based system should have the effect of allowing soldiers to hear comms over the loudest battlefield noises.

AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones combine bone conduction and patented technology to deliver premium audio while leaving ears open for ambient sounds. They're intended for activities where the user needs to maintain situational awareness, such as running, hiking, or cycling.