# Tactile Tune Transmitters Music Echo Transfers the Beats from Your Player to Vibrating Beads By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-04-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-echo References: [designbuzz](http://www.designbuzz.com/entry/music-echo-to-unfurl-a-musical-journey-for-the-deaf) & [jennifercrossley](http://jennifercrossley.com/) Despite the classification of music as a principally aural medium, the Music [Echo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/musical-social-network) reminds you that you don't need to have the gift of hearing to appreciate rhythm. This clever gadget was designed by Jennifer Crossley of the [University of Dundee](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hearvana-ai) in Scotland to offer the hearing impaired the opportunity to experience beat in a more hands-on way -- literally. The Music Echo [personal music player](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tl1-music-player) transmits tunes in two ways: through a set of headphones and, more ingeniously, through a string of vibrating beads. A deaf listener can hold the Music Echo cord between his fingers or tuck it into his pocket to receive a translation of the song or instrumental track through varied patterns of pulsations. Photo Credits: [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/61963624@N02/with/5638479731/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Tactile Music Appreciation:** Devices that allow the hearing-impaired to appreciate music using touch, offering opportunities for design and marketing of new gadgets - **Multipurpose Auditory Devices:** More and more devices are being designed to serve the needs of the hearing-impaired in multiple ways, opening up exciting opportunities for cross-industry collaboration - **Accessible Personalization:** Designers are developing more personalized devices that cater to the specific needs of users with disabilities, driving innovation in assistive technology ### Where This Applies - **Consumer Electronics:** Incorporating technology with assistive features can provide new avenues for development of consumer electronic devices - **Medical Devices:** Advancements in hearing impairment technology are creating new markets for medical devices - **Music and Entertainment:** Creating devices that cater to the hearing-impaired create an opportunity to bring music and entertainment to a broader audience ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Visualized Feedback Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibra-instrument.md) - [Inclusive Audio Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tim-vibe.md) - [Tactile Interactive Music Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamaha.md) - [Music Discovery Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/musical-social-network.md) - [Vibrating Wearable Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiaomi-wearable-speaker.md) - [Music-Sharing Transmitted Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundmotion.md) - [Mobile Music Analysis Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-analysis-device.md) - [Affordable Music-Making Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/easyplay-1s.md) - [Interactive Music Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-maestro.md)