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February 21, 2008

Zelco Outi Headphones

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Long story short: You wear them on your earlobes like earrings and the music is conducted through your ear cartilage into your brain.

But what if you're like me and have never worn earrings?

Do I need a learner's permit to use them?

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Seth Porges reviewed them in the March, 2008 issue of Popular Mechanics as follows:
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Zelco Outi Headphones

The idea of bypassing the air and sending sound waves directly through your body to your ears is nothing new—bone conduction technology has been around in some form or another for years. However, these headphones take it to a new level of ridiculousness, with some wonderful side effects.

Hang the Outi ($110) like a pair of clip-on earrings, and the sound reverberates through your earlobes. Because the “headphones” rely on sending the sound through your cartilage—instead of blowing waves at your eardrums—it’s very difficult for you to unintentionally damage your hearing.

But this is where it gets weird: Because the sound-producing part of the headphone is actually on the outside of the ear, your cubicle-mates will likely hear more of your music than with most earbuds. But you'll hear far less of them. Even when the music is playing at a moderate volume, it drowns out any and all nearby conversations. And thanks to Outi’s physics, the perceived bass is both intense and felt through your entire body. Dig it!
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$99.99.

February 21, 2008 at 09:01 AM | Permalink

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Comments

It would be useful to make an interface to Outi that includes a microphone connected to an amplifies that in turn is conneted to an Outi device. Such an interface does not need to be very portable. It could be a home based device for gearing impared patients who could use Outi as a hearing aid but using as an input device a microphone connebted to an implifiers. An Outi could be connected to an output of an amplifier instead of being connected to an iPod. May be someone has an idea of a commertially available interface for home bound elderly?

Posted by: Michael | Oct 18, 2008 3:07:26 PM

Quote: "It is very diffcicult for you to unintentionally damage your hearing"

FROM A CERTIFIED AUDIOLOGIST:

I don't think so! Loud sound is loud sound whether it is delivered via air conduction or bone conduction. The hair cells within the inner ear are what are stimulated to allow you to hear and regardless of how they are stimulated, they can be damaged by excessive levels of sound. The Outi will lead to damage to your hearing if you turn it up too loud. I am surprised this company makes this statement. It is only a matter of time before some sharp attorney sues them for a hearing loss acquired by someone using the device.

Posted by: Dennis Burrows | Oct 16, 2008 10:20:27 AM

As an audiologist I would like to say that whether or not sound is "directed" into the ear canal is irrelevant with regards to loud sounds damaging hearing. Damage happens at the inner ear and however loud sounds arrive at those small cells (either through bone or air conducted routes) the damage can still occur. The blade of a chainsaw isn't inserted into the ear either but it can still damage hearing. Loud is loud.

Posted by: Audiologist | Aug 29, 2008 8:34:17 AM

I really want them!!! but they are
soo frigen expensive =[

Posted by: | Mar 29, 2008 8:27:21 PM

Addendum:
I assume that IS a male model.

Posted by: Flautist | Feb 21, 2008 11:29:51 AM

I wish to register a complaint.
Various & sundry doodads, fashions, gewgaws, shoes, whatnots, gemcracks, etc., are regularly featured here, demonstrated 90% of the time (I estimate) by lissome young female types.
It is not in me to be mean spirited, however, it is high time for an upgrade in male models.

Posted by: Flautist | Feb 21, 2008 11:26:12 AM

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