Oddity: ‘Cheeky’ headphones!

New type of headphones will now transmit sound through your cheekbones using bone conduction.

You might think headphones are exclusively worn inside or on top of ears. But a new type of headphones set now transmits sound through your cheekbones using bone conduction.

Initially developed for military use, this technology has already been used in headphones, waterproof MP3 players and even mobile phones and the latest to cross our desk — Aftershokz Bone Conduction Headphones — will be on show at CES next week.

Aftershokz says the headphones produce “high fidelity, stereo quality sound, directly through the skull to the inner ear.”

But why would anyone want to wear headphone on your cheeks? If you’re someone who uses headphones on a daily basis, then you’re potentially damaging your eardrums by putting them so close to the source of sound. And for those who use phones while running or biking, wearing headphones prevents you from being able to hear what’s going on around you which can prove dangerous.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2012.