How Does
Where are Neurophones Placed on the Body?
The Neurophone
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A neurophone is an electronic instrument with pads generally placed on the temples, closed eyes or on the face. It is based on the theory that human skin can transfer ultrasonic sound waves directly to the brain and have the brain interpret these sounds, without the use of the ear. The operator of the neurophone transmits modulated ultrasonic sound to the skin at 40 kHz. Several studies show the person attatched to the neurophone can hear music, speech or whatever sound is transmitted.
Invented at Fourteen Years Old
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This invention was created by Dr. G. Patrick Flanagan in 1958. The first simple version was made from a Hi-Fi stereo, a transducer, pads and a plastic bag. In 1962, the Academy of Achievement awarded Dr. Flanagan it's most prestigious prize for cutting-edge inventions.
Patent and Awards
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In 1968, the US Patent Office issued patent #3,393,279 for this invention. According to Dr. Flanagan, the patent officials at first would not grant him a patent since they didn't believe it worked. Dr. Flanagan brought a deaf person and demonstrated conclusively enough his invention's merits to cause the committee to review his documents and issue a patent. That year, Life magazine listed Dr. Flanagan as one of the top young men in the country.
Continuous Improvement
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Dr. Flanagan continued to utilize advances in circuit board and microprocessors to upgrade his original model and produced several versions through the 1980's, 1990's and the first decade of the twenty first century.
Verification
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He worked with Dr. Dwight Wayne Batteau at Tufts University and in the United States Navy Dolphin Communication Project in a study referred to as the "Beat Frequency Test" which utilized the neurophone and traditional headphones placed on the ear to show that the brain registered both sounds. In 1991, Dr. Martin Lenhardt of the University of Virginia, who specializes in Bone Conduction and Acoustic Stimulation, verified that human skin has the ability to detect ultrasonic sound. His researched was published in Science, Vol. 253, 5, 1991, 82. He essentially duplicated Dr. Flanagan's 1958 work using more modern methods and materials. He found that the saccule (an organ in the inner ear thought to be used for balance) can also detect and interpret ultrasonic sound.
Possible Benefits?
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Dr. Flanagan claims the Neurophone also can be used to increase relaxation and concentration. Most scientists would require further studies to verify all of Dr. Flanagan's claims.
eHow Article: Where are Neurophones Placed on the Body?
