Bone conduction headphones work by sending sound through your skull and into your ear. This is in contrast to traditional headphones that send sound into the ear canal.
Bone conduction headphones were first invented back in the nineties but have recently gained some traction due to their growing popularity in fitness devices. Most notably, Fitbit recently released a set of bone conduction headphones that are targeted towards runners.
How does it work? How do they protect your hearing? And are they worth the money if you can’t hear them unless you’re working out? All worthy questions! Let’s dig in.
Bone conduction technology was initially developed by companies looking to develop new hearing aids. They soon discovered that it could be used for other purposes as well, including wireless headphone use. By placing sensors on or near the auditory bone, sound is picked up and transmitted to the brain.
Many people believe that because bone conduction headphones “don’t block out noise,” they are safer than traditional headphone models. However, this is not entirely true.
Learn about bone conduction
Bone conduction headphones work by sending sound vibrations to your head through your skull and into your ear. This is in contrast to air transmission, where sound travels through a medium such as air or water to reach your ear.
Bone conduction headphones have sensors that pick up sound from the devices they are paired with. These sensors then send vibrations through the head to the ear. This is how you can hear with these headphones on!
They are more widely used by military personnel and athletes due to their durability and ability to be used in high-intensity situations. The only downside is you cannot hear what is going on around you unless you take them off.
These are popular for fitness enthusiasts as well, as they help you hear your music clearly while you’re working out and nothing gets in the way.
Understand how bone conduction headphones work
Bone conduction headphones work by sending sound through your head to your ear. This is done by placing two vibrating pads against your temples and a speaker in the earpiece.
The vibrating pads send sound waves into your head, where they eventually reach your inner ear and are recognized as sound. This is how you can hear music or a phone call on them.
By having the vibration pass through your head, you can still hear what is around you. This is great for safety when running or working out!
The downside to these headphones is that they do not block out external noise. If someone calls you while using them, you will also hear the call on the other end, but not what is around you.
They are also more expensive than other types of headphones, which may be a deal breaker for some people looking to purchase them.
Listen to your environment
Although bone conduction headphones let you listen to your music, they also let you hear your environment. This is an important feature that makes them safer to use while running.
If you are listening to music via traditional headphones, you may be distracted by the music and not hear oncoming traffic or other sounds around you. With bone conduction headphones, you can still hear what is going on around you.
Road and car noise will still get to you, which is a good thing if you are running on a road or trail. You do not want to miss the sound of a car coming up behind you or hitting the brakes.
If you are worried about missing some of the music while running, try switching between them every few songs and only listen to the music through the headphones for a bit to check if anything is happening around you.
Provides privacy
Unlike traditional headphones that transmit sound through the air, bone conduction headphones transmit sound through your head. This means that you can still hear what’s going on around you.
This is a great feature for those who are looking for privacy while listening to music or watching a movie on their phone or tablet. You can also still hear what’s going on around you, so you won’t be distracted.
People around you will not be able to hear what you are listening to unless they have their own set of bone conduction headphones. This is a great security feature for those who are in vulnerable situations.
Bone conduction headphones are also great for athletes as they will not get in the way when performing certain sports activities. They are also lightweight and comfortable to wear, which helps with performance.
Stay aware of your surroundings
Although you can listen to music or a podcast through bone conduction headphones, you cannot completely block out the world around you.
They will not filter out noise like the latest Apple headphones, but they will let in some ambient sound. This is an important safety feature that many do not consider.
Bone conduction headphones will let in some of the sound of your environment, as well as what is being played on your device. This makes it much more aware of what is going on around you.
If you are walking or running and using these headphones, then you will be able to hear what is going on around you – like other pedestrians or vehicles – which is a safety feature. You will not be totally oblivious to what is happening around you.
This is an important safety feature that many do not consider when buying these headphones. It is also something that many users do not know how to use properly. Make sure to keep this in mind when using them.
What are the benefits?
Bone conduction headphones are a great way to listen to music or podcasts. They are becoming more popular as companies create newer models. They are also becoming more popular as companies create cheaper models as well!
Bone conduction headphones work by sending sound through your bones and allowing you to hear through your ears. This means you can still hear what’s around you, like someone calling your name or a car horn honking.
Some models are in-ear which helps block out some noise too. This makes them great for working out or exercising as you can still hear what’s going on around you and your music or podcast is coming through clear.
Some people find them more comfortable than traditional headphones because they do not put any pressure on the head or ears. This can be helpful for those who have sensitive skin on their ears or who have headaches from tight-fitting accessories.
Bone conduction headphones are great for those who want to be able to hear their music clearly but still be aware of their surroundings.
Who are they for?
Bone conduction headphones are designed for people who are hearing impaired. They are also great for those who want to listen to music in a quieter environment, like at the gym or while working out.
They are also great for those who want to watch TV or a movie with the sound turned down but still want to hear the background music and sounds. Since they use your own head and body as the conductor, you get more of a true sound.
The only drawback is that you have to be moving in some way for them to work. If you are sitting or lying down, then you will not hear any sound coming from the headphones. This is why they are not ideal for people who are totally deaf.
They are also not suitable for situations where there is a lot of noise as it will block out all of the external sounds.
Are they right for me?
Bone conduction headphones are a great option for many people. If you are looking to buy new headphones, try your best to check out the different types and see which one is best for you.
Many people prefer over-the-ear headphones because they are comfortable and keep external noise out. With bone conduction headphones, this is not the case! You will still be able to hear some external noise, which may be a good thing.
People who are blind or have limited vision may also like the ability to listen to music without having to see what they are doing. Once you get the hang of adjusting the volume and switching songs, it is easy to use!
If you have trouble hearing but do not want a headset, then bone conduction headphones may be for you! You will still be able to hear the music coming through on the bottom of your head.
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