Various embodiments include methods and systems structured to transmit data from downhole sensors to the surface at a well site. The transmission can be implemented to overcome downhole connections that can act as obstructions to direct electrical and optical communication in a wellbore. Electrical signals from one or more sensors in a sensor unit, located on a side of a downhole connection in a wellbore opposite the surface of the wellbore, can be used to drive an acoustic transmitter to transmit an acoustic signal via a production string or casing or fluid in the production string or casing across the downhole connection, where the acoustic signal is received on the surface side of the downhole connection. Data correlated to the received acoustic signal can be provided to a surface location of the wellbore. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.