What is Bone Conduction Technology?
We’ve all had that moment when we hear a recording of our own voice and think “Is that what my voice actually sounds like?”. That’s because, most of the time, we hear ourselves through osteophony, better known as bone conduction sound.
Thanks to modern bone conduction technology, it’s now possible to harness this natural phenomenon while enjoying clear, high‑quality sound.
This is exactly what Losonnante offers with its immersive bone conduction audio terminals, letting users quite literally feel the sound.
A Short History of Bone Conduction
The idea that sound can travel through solid matter dates back to the 16th century, when Italian physician Girolamo Cardano discovered that vibrations could be heard by holding a metal rod between the teeth and pressing it against a skull.
The history of bone conduction also runs through medical innovation. By the 18th century, the principle was being used to diagnose hearing loss, helping doctors distinguish between issues in the outer or middle ear and those affecting the inner ear. In 1711, it even helped inspire the invention of the tuning fork.
Perhaps the most famous example comes from Ludwig van Beethoven in the 19th century. Determined to keep composing despite his deafness, he would bite down on a wooden stick placed against the soundboard of his piano. By feeling the vibrations through his jaw and skull, he was able to feel the sound of the music he was creating.
How We Hear Sound: Air Conduction vs Bone Conduction
The term might sound technical, but bone conduction explained is straightforward: it’s the transmission of sound through bones and other solid parts of the body, rather than through the air.
Normally, when we hear a sound, it travels through the air into the ear canal, where it causes the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are passed to the tiny bones in the middle ear (the ossicles), which then transmit them to the inner ear. There, the vibrations are converted into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.
With bone conduction audio, the process is different; sound waves travel directly through the bones of the skull to reach the inner ear, completely bypassing the outer and middle ear.
When we speak, the sound of our voice reaches us in two ways: through the air, into our ears and through the bones in our jaw and skull, directly to the inner ear. What we hear is a blend of both. If you block your ears and speak, you’ll hear your voice purely through bone conduction. It sounds noticeably different, fuller and deeper than it does in a recording, because sound travels almost ten times faster through bone, and lower frequencies come through more strongly.
This is why our recorded voice often sounds higher-pitched and unfamiliar, it’s missing the bone-conducted part we’re used to hearing.
Why Bone Conduction is Back in the Spotlight
Thanks to recent advances in sound filtering and signal processing, the quality of bone conduction listening has improved significantly. As our listening habits and needs continue to evolve, this technology offers a number of clear benefits:
- Prolonged listening without putting strain on the eardrums
- Excellent clarity, even in noisy environments
- Because it doesn’t rely on air to carry sound, it works perfectly underwater
- Delivers slightly different sounds to each ear, creating space and depth for a richer, more immersive sound experience.
- Offers full immersion when you cover your ears, or the option to leave them uncovered to stay aware of your surroundings.
- Studies suggest that we learn more quickly when information is transmitted via bone conduction learning techniques
A More Immersive Sound Experience with Losonnante
Losonnante’s technology is designed to maximise the power of sound transmitted through solid surfaces, while keeping airborne sound to a minimum. This offers a more personal, more immersive listening experience that sets itself apart from traditional bone conduction headphones.
Our accessible audio technology for exhibitions is designed specifically for museums, heritage sites and immersive sound installations.
Where most devices allow users to hear ambient sound, our approach is to block it out completely by inviting users to cover their ears to encourage a deeper connection with the audio. Nothing is audible from the outside, meaning the experience is both private and respectful of other visitors, allowing everyone to explore the space in their own time, at their own pace.
This makes Losonnante the ideal choice for museum audio terminals, cultural institutions and designers looking for an innovative, immersive sound experience to transform the visitor experience.
