Earbuds and headphones have a huge impact on our day-to-day lives. From jamming out to music on your morning jog to listening to your favorite podcast as you work from home, at some point you’re going to pop them in and tune out the rest of the world. However, when choosing a set of headphones that fits your lifestyle, it’s worth considering the potential benefits of the best bone conduction headphones.
According to car accident statistics, 68 percent of pedestrians who were killed or injured had headphones on at the time of the incident. This information is pretty scary, considering there’s no telling what could happen if you immerse yourself in music or a phone call while outdoors. Bone conduction headphones can potentially help lower this risk and this piece will explain how.
With that said, there’s a lot to learn about bone conduction headphones. Let’s start with how they work.
Sounds Like Something You Should Know
The best bone conduction headphones are a technological wonder. So, it’s no surprise how much consumer curiosity surrounds these devices.
Let’s explore a few frequently asked questions, starting with the most popular of them all:
How do bone conduction headphones work?
The primary goal of the best bone conduction headphones is to distribute sound without involving the eardrums. These devices work by using vibrations to transmit sound via the cheekbones to your cochlear.
The sound, whether as music or a phone call, reaches the ears as vibrations through the skull bones and skin.
This technology was discovered by Ludwig van Beethoven, the famous 18th Century composer who was deaf. He found that by attaching a rod to his piano, he could “hear” the music if he clenched his teeth.
This finding finally proved sound could be perceived through other channels besides the ear.
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Are these headphones moisture-resistant and waterproof?
The best bone conduction headphones often have moisture-resistant and waterproof properties. Several models have a sweatproof coating to help resist light rain, humid conditions, and sweat from sporting activities.
This is considerate on the part of manufacturers, since most of us take our headphones everywhere and use them daily.
While some bone conduction headphones are extremely water-friendly, others are not. The only way to determine if the model you’re interested in allows complete immersion in water or limited contact with water is to read the product description or owner’s manual.
man walking headphones
Are bone conduction headphones safe?
Yes, these headphones are safe. Audiologists have used the technology to develop hearing aids since the 1970s. These devices are even more reliable than traditional headphones because of their unique mechanism and construction.
The best bone conduction headphones use vibrations to transmit sound through the jawbone and skull while avoiding the inner ear canal altogether. This method protects users from permanent hearing loss and other hearing-related problems caused by prolonged headphone use.
But like every device, these headphones are not perfect.
Bone conduction headphones may be considered unsafe if you use them at extremely high volumes. However, this is also true of regular headphones and earbuds.
Can people with hearing loss use bone conduction headphones?
Absolutely. This is because the ear isn’t the only medium through which sound is transmitted. Our bones and skulls also act as instruments for sound waves.
But before you rush out to make a purchase, you should consider an essential factor. The type of hearing loss may have a significant impact on the sound and its quality.
However, there have been several reports of people with hearing issues being able to hear clearly and comfortably with the best bone conduction headphones without hearing aids.
To make the right decision, we would advise that you consult your doctor for their medical recommendation.
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It’s More than Just a Trend
There are several advantages of using the best bone conduction headphones. We love that these benefits go beyond lifestyle and fashion trends.
Let’s explore a few reasons why you need to invest in a pair today.
Gina Linetti headphones dancing clueless
Situational awareness
A great reason to use the best bone conduction headphones is to promote situational awareness. You can enjoy activities such as jogging, cycling, or running while actively listening to your environment.
This is all made possible by a transducer that sits on your cheekbones, leaving your ears free and ready to soak in surrounding sounds.
If you use bone conduction headphones, you’ll no longer need to turn down your volume to hear approaching vehicles. You’d also have a much better chance of staying safe while on the move.
These benefits contribute to why most people choose the best bone conduction headphones over traditional headphones.
Additionally, they’re ideal for people who enjoy music or prefer to keep their hands free as they go about their day.
For the impaired
Due to their mechanism, these devices can be a valuable asset for people with disabilities.
You can use bone conduction headphones if you have hearing loss. It’s the only auditory technology outside of hearing aids that favors people with hearing disabilities.
If you also have a visual impairment and rely heavily on your hearing, these headphones may be for you.
They promote situational awareness while giving you the confidence to move around safely.
In addition to being beneficial to the impaired, bone conduction headphones can be used as a preventive measure.
If you’re an avid music listener or in the business of using headphones for several hours at a time, bone conduction headphones may lower your risk of developing hearing issues since they avoid the inner ear canal completely.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Bone Conduction Headphones
Now that we’ve explored the benefits of bone conduction headphones, it’s time to move forward. Here, we’ll discuss important things to look out for when investing in a particular model.
Design and comfort
Since these devices have a unique construction, it’s essential to choose a model that’s user-friendly and compatible with your lifestyle and daily activities.
The basic design of bone conduction headphones is akin to a neckband with two earpieces situated in front of your ears on your temporal bones. While this is the basic design, they’re not all the same.
So, your goal should be to choose a pair of headphones that fit your face perfectly.
Durability
Sound quality doesn’t mean much if the overall construction is terrible. This is why you should pay particular attention to the strength of the bone conduction headphones you’re buying.
If you live an active lifestyle, consider choosing a model that can withstand the vigorousness of the activities you enjoy. Also, you may want to pick a water-resistant model with a fast-charging system that allows for several hours of music and talk time.
Wired or wireless?
Wires can be a hassle — especially when they get tangled up with other objects. But they’re particularly annoying when they get in the way during sporting activities.
When choosing a wireless model, consider the connectivity and battery life. Additionally, select a model that has the latest Bluetooth technology to enjoy effortless pairing.
How We Rounded up Our Top Picks
To bring you an unbiased review, we researched several bone conduction headphones and selected only those that met specific criteria. We looked at the battery longevity and picked models with a fast charging time.
Another area we considered was the overall design.
It’s imperative to us that the headphones blend effortlessly into your lifestyle — whether it’s an active one or business-centered. We also analyzed the various features each pair of headphones brought to the table and made sure they’re user-friendly, technologically advanced, and have incredible sound quality.
The 5 Best Bone Conduction Headphones You Can Buy
We explored the world of bone conduction headphones to bring you the very best that can stand against the test of time.
So, in no particular order of relevancy, meet our finalists:
1.Wissonly Hi Runner
Wissonly is a headphone brand that attaches great attention on health, and that does not hurt the ears. Their team is also the first one to design non-in-ear headphones that are used to listen to songs. They began to explore the application of bone conduction technology to Bluetooth headphones as early as 10 years ago. After 10 years of accumulation, they have made great progress in the sound quality improvement and sound leakage reduction of bone conduction headphones. And these technologies are applied to their Wissonly Hi Runner headphones, their flagship product.
In order to solve the problem of sound leakage of bone conduction headphones , wissonly developed full closed sound leakage reduction technology. They comprehensively improved the vibration of the headphones, body design, software optimization and other directions. They finally reduced the sound leakage by 90%. In terms of sound quality, most of the bone conduction headphones have average sound quality, but the sound quality of Wissonly Hi Runner is undoubtedly better in bone conduction. They used a large-sized vibration unit, and through structural optimization, and finally increased the effective vibration area, so that the sound range was wide. The official claimed sound quality reach the HIFI level, but I don’t think that they reached. They are just close to the HIFI sound quality, which is enough to satisfy me.
The excellent performance of these two characteristics, sound leakage reduction and sound quality, makes Wissonly Hi Runner
have the basic conditions to become an excellent bone conduction headphone. Their other configurations are also very good. They are with a built-in 32GB of memory, and can play music even without connecting the phone. You can use them as an MP3 player. They support IPX8 waterproof level in swimming, even in underwater scenes that do not support Bluetooth, they can be used with MP3 function.
h4. 2. Vidonn F1
The best bone conduction headphones are the safest alternative to traditional headphones and earbuds. So, it should be no surprise that the Vidonn F1 headphones work by using vibrations to transmit sound via the cheekbone to your inner ear.
These headphones use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology for effortless wireless pairing.
This makes it easier for users to enjoy top-notch convenience. With just one button, you can answer and reject phone calls, as well as pause, play, and switch songs.
We also love that it has a secure fit design that holds the device in place even as you partake in vigorous activities.
h4. 3. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
As already established, AfterShokz is no stranger to manufacturing the best bone conduction headphones. The AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones help promote situational awareness.
Because they’re designed for long-term wear, these headphones consist of titanium wraps that are lightweight, flexible, and durable. These properties work together to help you focus on the activities you love without worrying about the headphone’s performance.
h4. 4. Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones
These Tayogo headphones are some of the best bone conduction headphones for many reasons. They’re a smart alternative to earbuds and headphones.
The Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones provide high-fidelity sound with improved comfort and clarity without blocking out the world around you.
They include advanced Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity that’s compatible with various devices, such as smartwatches, tablets, and iOS or Android devices.
You’ll appreciate the comfortable, lightweight design that wraps around your head, creating a form-fitting experience. Another incredible feature of these wireless headphones is the sound quality.
h4. 5. WGP On-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
WGP uses a straightforward mechanism to provide users with an on-ear experience. These wireless headphones work by sending vibrations through the skull and transmitting sound via the cheekbones to the cochlea. This method prevents sore ears and hearing impairment issues caused by traditional headphones and earbuds.
The WGP On-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones feature an anti-drop design with a titanium wraparound headband. They also make use of a food-grade silicone outer cover with an attachment design that promises to shield your ears from pain after extended use.
