Headphones are one of the most used gadgets on the planet. Everybody wants the best experience when listening to music, receiving a call, playing games, working out, and more. A good pair of headphones can beautifully enhance sound.
There are different types of headphones available on the market with varying designs. Bone conduction headphones are special headphones that transmit vibrations to emit sound using the jaw and head bones.
Bone conduction headphones have recently become more popular because of their usefulness for people with hearing disorders. In this article, we will discuss what makes bone conduction headphones different from normal headphones as well as their pros and cons.
What Are Bone Conduction Headphones?
Bone conduction headphones are a good example of ever-changing technology. Instead of supplying sound directly into your ear, bone conduction headphones direct sound on your cheekbones and around your neck.
The design of the bone conduction headphones is such that your ears are left exposed, and you can listen to surrounding noises, unlike the regular headphones with noise-canceling features.
How Do Bone Conduction Headphones Work?
Bone conduction headphones use waves and vibrations to transmit sound just like every other type of headphone or sounding producing device. However, the method of delivery of bone conduction headphones differs.
Regular headphones go over your ears, and they send vibrations from your outer ear through the ear canal and into the inner ear. The inner ear connects to the auditory nerve, and the sound is then interpreted in the brain.
Bone conduction headphones are designed to go around your head and rest on your cheekbone or the outer area just outside your ear. The position of the bone conduction headphone is key to how it works because it sends vibrations directly to the inner ear.
The inner ear lies just below the cheekbone, and the sounds produced by the headphones are carried as vibrations directly to the inner ear and the auditory nerve.
The bone conduction method of sound transmission is an eye-opener, and it has quite some advantages over the regular type of headphones. Let’s look at some pros and cons of bone conduction headphones pros and cons below.
Bone Conduction Headphones Pros and Cons
Pros Of Using Bone Conduction Headphones
If you’re looking to change your taste in headphones, here are some reasons why you would like bone conduction headphones.
Convenient for Someone Suffering From Hearing Loss
Damage to the outer and middle ear is a common cause of hearing loss or hearing disorders, and it is difficult for people in this category to interpret sound or get it to the inner ear.
The design of bone conduction headphones makes it possible for people with damaged outer and middle ears to still enjoy sounds. The headphones rest on the cheek or jaw bone and transmit sound into the inner ear using the bones.
Compatibility With Hearing Aids
Many people with hearing disorders wear hearing aids. The problem with this is that it is often very uncomfortable to wear hearing aids while wearing regular headphones.
However, bone conduction headphones allow people using in-the-ear hearing aids to enjoy music as well. Bone conduction headphones lie on the cheekbone and send sounds directly to the inner ear, so there’s no interference with the hearing aid.
Staying Alert to Your Surroundings
People often use headphones when going for a jog or participating in an outside activity. The problem with this is that headphones have noise-canceling abilities, and people will have decreased awareness of their surroundings if they are using normal headphones.
However, bone conduction headphones don’t cover the ear, leaving your outer ear exposed. With bone conduction headphones, you can easily hear what is going on around you and enjoy your favorite tunes at the same time.
It Is Safer
The ear is an interesting part of the body, and it contains wax that traps dirt and self-cleans. The inside of the ear is very sensitive, and if you aren’t careful, you can easily get an infection.
The regular headphones that go over your ear or into your ear often expose your ear to infections. This is because the buds of these headphones can easily accumulate dirt and debris that can attract bacteria.
However, bone conduction headphones do not go inside your ear, making them completely safe. This is an especially useful trait if you are someone who constantly suffers from ear infections.
Another interesting thing about bone conduction headphones is that they are wireless and suitable for people that have tinnitus.
Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones
Let’s take a look at some of the cons of bone conduction headphones.
Sound Quality
The method of operation of bone conduction headphones is such that vibrations are transmitted directly to the inner ear. As a result, the sound quality produced is not bad, but it is also not the best.
The sound quality of regular headphones is better than bone conduction headphones.
Price
These headphones use high-quality and innovative technology that is understandably more expensive than regular headphones.
It is costly to get a pair, which can be a problem if your headphone budget is not very high.
Outside Sound Production
One of the reasons we use headphones is because we like privacy or want to listen to something sensitive. However, bone conduction headphones produce outward sound, and others can hear what you’re listening to if your volume is loud.
If you like loud music, these headphones might not be to your taste.
Conclusion
Bone conduction headphones are very interesting and especially useful for those who suffer from hearing loss or other hearing disorders.
The headphones deliver sound directly to your inner ear, making them more suitable for use. They are also wireless and have a reasonable battery life. After reviewing the pros and cons of bone conduction headphones, it is now up to you to decide if these are the right headphones for you.
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