Bone Conduction

A method of transmitting sound vibrations through the bones of the skull directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Bone conduction headphones rest on the cheekbones or temples rather than covering or inserting into the ears, leaving the ear canals open to hear ambient environmental sounds. In accessibility contexts, bone conduction is particularly valuable for people who are blind or have low vision because it allows them to receive audio navigation cues, obstacle alerts, or sonification feedback while simultaneously hearing traffic, conversations, and other environmental sounds that are critical for safe orientation and mobility.