These vibrating vests bring music to life for deaf gig-goers

Haptic tech is making music accessible to people with impaired hearing

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There’s a long history of deaf people going to concerts and attending gigs using items such as inflated balloons or pipes to feel the vibrations of the live performance.

In spite of this, there remains a belief that anyone who is deaf is unable to enjoy live music. But while a deaf person may not be able to hear the sound of the music, they can feel it through the vibrations produced by the powerful speakers being used, or even the instruments themselves if they’re close enough.

The US tech company Not Impossible Labs has seized on this concept and, in collaboration with musicians, venues, and production companies, built on it to create a haptic vest that makes these vibrations more accessible to both deaf and hearing music lovers.

GETTING SUITED UP

"Nothing is impossible forever," boasts the home page of notimpossible.com proudly in large font. A bold claim, but one that matches the unique nature of the products the company is working on.

Led by founder Mick Ebeling, Not Impossible Labs is built around innovation that provides accessibility where it wasn't previously available. While there's a lot of development occurring in the world of accessibility tech right now, Not Impossible Labs takes an unconventional route.

Whether it's helping blind skateboarders ride via echolocation; creating navigational 'super-hero' suits for a deaf and partially blind children, or something as simple as text messaging service that helps local people going hungry find food, Not Impossible has learned to think outside the box.