Is there a process or device that allows deaf and blind people to "hear" music?

Question

I know there is some sort of color coded light display application/device that allows deaf people to "see" music through various colors representing notes or instruments.
-But is there anything for people who are blind and deaf?
Maybe something that utilizes bass and/or vibrations?
Pherhaps a modified braille of some sort?

Answer 1

Please note that while sound are vibrations in the air, hearing is actually the ear's ability to turn these vibrations into an electrical signal, which is sent to the brain. If the ear cannot turn these signals into an electrical signal, or if the brain cannot get the signal, the person does not hear. There is something called a tactile hearing aid, which a person wears either on their body, such as their chest, or their fingers. This changes sound into a stronger vibration, so the person can tell when there's a sound. If a blind/deaf person wears this while listening to music, they might be able to feel the rhythm of the music, but they wouldn't be able to 'hear' it. As far as the bass goes, anybody can feel that if it's loud enough. Bass is much easier to feel (think of a loud car with the bass booming, it can rattle your windows and you can feel it in your chest), because low frequencies are turned into tactile energy at a much lower intensity than high frequencies.

Answer 2

Yes and no. There isn't a "device" as such (as far as I know).

But the Deaf culture/community has their own ways of experiencing music--through body/hand language, which functions as a form of singing/dancing-and by vibrations. Not in the hearing sense--but feeling vibrations. This is an art form withing the Deaf community--and to a great extent could be experienced by a deaf/blind person--though I don't know how often this is acutally done.

Braille won't work, BTW. There is a form of Braille music notation--but jsut like regular written music, it is only a template--you have to perform the music in some way to experience it--the notes on a page are just that--symbols on a page, whether print or Braille.

Answer 3

There are some very high powered head sets that will turn up loudly enough that even a profoundly deaf person can still "hear" the bass and the vibrations in the music. At my school, we have a special music therapy room, through which the floor vibrates with the music that is being played. Very involved students can interact with the music by laying in the floor and feeling the vibrations in their bodies.

We have a student who plays clarinet, even though she is deaf/blind. She learned by feeling the vibrations through her feet, first, then translating them through to her fingers.

You can go to the American Printing House for the Blind website, or to "the Abilities" website for all the newest "gadgets' that can help people with disabilities adapt to their surroundings.

Another thing to do is to go to any states' Blind School webpage. Those pages hook you up to technological links for all the latest developments in technology and methods in teaching people with disabilities! It's a really great resource!

Answer 4

I'm not sure on the colour light one but some Deaf people and Deafblind people can enjoy music simply through the vibrations. Also signed song is another, where the songs lyrics are interpreted into sign language of tactile (for Deafblind) through poetic movement conveying the songs message-is very enjoyable to watch for both hearing and Deaf. Also you will find some Deaf people aren't to phased by music because basically 'you cant miss what you've never had'.

Answer 5

There is an interesting development, still in the testing stage, which may enable some blind people to see. Not in the conventional sense, but by converting other stimulii into sight and by passing the traditional optic nerve inputs to go directly to that center of the brain that deals with sight. There are similar advances for the hearing impaired, that may allow them to hear by transmitting vibration (which is all that sound is) to the brain by an alternate route.
Amazing, isn't it?

Answer 6

no, deaf people can't hear the music to their own ear... but they can feel sound wave to the body parts.

and deaf person can feel body to body together when the soulmate moans and laughs during making love