Feel the Sound: How Neosensory Wristbands are Transforming Hearing through Touch
Bridging the Gap Between Sound and Touch for a Better Auditory Experience
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If you're new here, welcome! I recommend starting with Article 1 and Article 2 to get a solid foundation in this intriguing field.
Imagine feeling the sound of your favorite song right on your wrist. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, thanks to the innovative minds at Neosensory, this futuristic concept is now a reality. Neosensory, founded by the neuroscientist Dr. David Eagleman, has developed technology that feeds information to the brain through touch. Intrigued? Let's dive into how their cutting-edge wristbands are making waves—literally—and changing lives.
Taming Tinnitus: The Neosensory Duo
Ever had a persistent ringing in your ears after a loud concert? Now imagine that ringing never goes away. That’s what tinnitus feels like for millions of people around the world. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, nearly 50 million Americans have experienced some form of tinnitus. Enter Neosensory Duo, a sleek wristband that uses bimodal stimulation to turn down the volume on tinnitus.
The Magic of Bimodal Stimulation
Here's how it works: The Neosensory Duo wristband combines sound and touch to train your brain to ignore the phantom noises of tinnitus. Just wear the wristband, download the app, and listen to a specially designed series of notes for 10 minutes daily. The synchronized sounds and vibrations help your brain distinguish between real and imaginary sounds. Over time, the ringing fades into the background. No doctor visits, no complex setups—just a simple, effective solution you can use at home. The Duo is non-invasive and easy to use at home, requiring no doctor visits. It is effective for many users over a few weeks, although it requires daily commitment for a couple of months.
(Image from Neosensory’s website)
Clarify: Making Conversations Clearer
Hearing loss affects nearly 20% of the world’s population and about 15% of adult Americans, roughly 44.1 million individuals. Despite the advancements in hearing aids and sound therapy, only 16% of those suffering from hearing loss pursue treatment. This leaves many struggling in silence. Neosensory’s Clarify wristband addresses this issue by translating speech into vibrations, making it easier to catch every word, even in the busiest environments.
How Clarify Works
The wristband picks up sounds around you using a built-in microphone. Advanced algorithms filter out background noise and highlight the important parts of speech. These sounds are then converted into unique vibrations on your wrist. With practice, your brain learns to combine these tactile cues with what you hear, making it easier to follow conversations.
According to the company, this non-invasive method utilizes neuroplasticity—essentially retraining the brain to think differently. In less than three weeks, the brain adapts to these new inputs, allowing the wearer to interpret vibrations as speech. Think of it like learning a new language or how some blind individuals develop heightened senses to navigate their world. Sage Anderson, e-commerce editor at Rolling Stone, shared a personal review about Neosensory Clarify: "The wristband has become like eyeglasses for my hearing, a minimal addition to my everyday routine that’s an easy way to make me feel more in the loop during conversations than ever before." Clarify enhances speech comprehension in noisy environments, can be used with or without hearing aids, and is easy to integrate into daily life. However, there is an initial learning curve to interpret vibrations, and it might not be as effective in extremely noisy settings.
(Image from Neosensory’s website)
Sound Awareness: Touching the World of Sound
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, recognizing everyday sounds can be a challenge. Neosensory’s Sound Awareness technology translates these sounds into vibrations, opening up a new way to experience the auditory world through touch.
The Wonders of Sound Awareness
Imagine feeling the hum of a refrigerator, the buzz of a doorbell, or the chirp of a bird—all through gentle vibrations on your wrist. Neosensory’s wristbands convert sounds into spatiotemporal patterns of vibration. In studies, participants were able to identify up to 95% of sounds by recognizing these patterns. Over time, users get better at distinguishing different sounds, making navigating their environment easier and being aware of important auditory cues. Sound Awareness provides a new way to experience sounds for the deaf and hard of hearing, with high accuracy in sound recognition with practice. It enhances safety and awareness in daily life but requires time to learn and adapt to the vibrations. It is limited to the types of sounds it can translate effectively.
(Image from Neosensory’s website)
Journeying Forward: The Roadmap to Neuromodulation Awareness
I'm Aditi Doshi, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience. My research in non-invasive neuromodulation ignited a passion for translating cutting-edge research into practical applications. NeuroPulse Chronicles, my neuromodulation-themed newsletter, aims to raise awareness about the field and technologies designed to improve lives. In the upcoming edition, I'll delve deeper into different types of neuromodulation and discuss new products that could enhance your lives or the lives of your loved ones.
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Aditi Doshi