Wireless bone conduction headphones for deaf are an exciting alternative to regular headphones. They’re an especially suitable replacement for workout headphones.
The entire process might sound a little bit too sci-fi to be a reality, but the technology has been around for over a decade.
Bone conduction headphones (or bonephones) are widely used by individuals suffering hearing loss, during scuba diving, as an essential form of military communications, and while performing certain sports such as running and cycling.
1. Aftershokz Trekz Air Wireless Bone Conduction Headphone
Key Features
If you’re looking for a versatile pair of bone-conducting headphones in budget price then AfterShokz Trekz Air is the one with plenty of features.
This is the most organically designed bone conducting headphone that is crafted with titanium which makes it 20 percent lighter compared to other materials and provide all-day comfort.
AfterShokz sport next-generation bone-conduction technology to produce sound. The wraparound construction makes it flexible enough to fit easy and the Open Fit design helps know what’s happening in surroundings.
You get a near-perfect listening experience with the PremiumPitch+, which has wide dynamic range and rich bass. The natural sound leakage is controlled by the Leak Slayer technology introduced in the AfterShokz.
2. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Open Ear Wireless
Key Features
For some people in-, over-, and on-ear headphones are useless if they make their head or ears sweat or they are tight enough that the head starts feeling pain or they want to listen to the surroundings.
Then, AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Mini Bone Conduction Headphones is the best solution that uses bone conduction technology to transfer music as well as allows you to listen to your external environment and lightweight enough that you might forget.
If you are wearing it while running or cycling and can withstand in rain and sweat.
Just to let you know, the Trekz Titanium headphones were crowd funded and they raised almost US$700,000. The Trekz Titanium was purely designed for adults, but they did had a goal of making a smaller version.
Today, the Trekz Titanium Mini is available in the market and offers almost all the features of Trekz Titanium.
The bone conduction technology was invented back in 19s, but AfterShokz continuousely kept improving its patented technology over time to provide quality, wireless music through vibrations on the cheekbones.
3. AfterShokz Bluez 2S Wireless Open Ear
Key Features
AfterShokz is the popular manufacturer of open earphones. So, it’s no surprise that we are going to discuss AfterShokz Bluez 2s Review to know if it suits our needs and budget.
The AfterShokz Bluez 2S is the upgraded version of AfterShokz Bluez 2 and comes with Premium Pitch+ technology which boost the bottom end and avoid sound leakage, and some changes in external design.
The perforated openings allow these lightweight headphones to rest on your cheek, while the previous version had solid surface.
Having this exposed design still makes it meet IP55 standards which makes it water and dust proof.
This upgraded version comes with improved audio quality and volume, thanks to open speaker surface and revamped internals for the slight improvement in sound quality.
You get charging port, LED indicator, volume buttons and the power button at the bottom-side of the headphone. We even noticed some consumers reported about the volume and power button which should be on the side or on the right transducer.
You should already know how to treat bone-conduction headphones compared to regular headphones. Due to the bone-conducting technology there will be a slight difference in music even the music will be bit duller but while listening to the music you will get pleasantly spacious head-feel.
You can keep the volume maximum while hustling on bustling city streets and enjoying the music.
So the Premium Pitch+ reduces sound leakage as well as increases bass and damps vibrations. Unlike the in-ear or on-ear models isolating experience, you can hear both ambient sound and music at the same time.
That allows you to involve in a conversation while listening others carefully and listen to the cars approaching from behind which not only makes it flexible as well as safer.That’s not all, we have lot to talk about this bone-conducting headphone yet.
4. Aftershokz Sportz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphone
Key Features
While using traditional headphones or ear buds we tend to wear one ear bud while driving a car, or running on the street for safety. That’s because we want to listen the music while being aware of surroundings.
AfterShokz Sports Titanium has revolutionized the headphones industry by introducing the bone conduction headphones.
The bone conduction technology allows you to listen the music without covering your ears like in-, over-, or on-ear headphones or ear buds.
The AfterShokz Sportz Titanium rest on cheekbones where it creates vibrations to transmit music to your cochlea and you can hear it from those vibrations while your ears are uncovered which allows you to hear external sounds as well.
This allows you to ride a car, bike or do exercise in gym while listening to your favorite music and external ambient.
The AfterShokz Sportz Titanium is popular due to its premium features and an impressive battery life. You can literally use the headphones for hours in a single charge.
Just for reference, you can use it continuously for 12 hours in a single charge. Even the standby time is sixty days which makes it one of the best bone conduction headphones.
5. Trekz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Key Features
The next generation of bone conduction technology is what’s inside our lightest and most organically designed open ear headphones to date.
We cut the bulk and used titanium everywhere possible to ensure they not only fit more securely but sound better too. Trekz Air are inspired by the demands of elite and aspiring athletes motivated by their music and their world.
Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds. Complete wraparound titanium design provides a flexible fit for unnoticeable all-day comfort and stability.
Air wireless bone conduction headphones. The flexible titanium material and lightweight design offer a secure, comfortable fit, and the IP55-rated construction repels sweat, rain and dust.
6. JUHALL Bluetooth V4.2 Earphones Wireless Sports Headset
Key Features
The idea of bone conduction headphones appears to be futuristic, but the concept has actually been in use for over a century.
Famed 18th century deaf composer Beethoven used this technique to hear his piano notes, via a stick that was connected to his jaw bones.
Instead of sending sound vibrations through the air like normal headphones, bone conduction headphones send the vibrations through the human skull, bone labyrinth, and the inner ear, which transmits the signal to your brain’s auditory centre via the auditory nerve.
Bone conduction technology has also been used in hearing aids, sports headphones (especially for runners and cyclists), professional police headphones, call centre employees, and in the military.
Apart from benefiting those suffering from a Recession Type Hearing Impairment, bone conduction headphones also come in handy when you need to listen to an audio transmission while paying attention to your immediate environment.
Since bone conduction headphones do not occupy your ear canals, it will not block out the sound waves from your surroundings. You can think of them as the opposite of noise-cancelling headphones.
7. Bone Conduction Headphones Bluetooth 5.0 Vidonn F1 Titanium
Key Features
If you’re interested in this bone conduction thing but don’t necessarily want to go all-in on the premium model, the Vidonn F1 Titanium wireless headset may be the way to go. At $70, it’s less than half the price of our premium pick, but still features a titanium build for enhanced comfort, as well as IP55 ingress protection for rain and sweat resistance.
It uses Bluetooth 4.1 for wireless connectivity, offers up to six hours of playback time and seven days of standby, and charges up in just two hours. Most of these metrics match that of the Trekz Air, making the F1 Titanium an excellent value.
8. AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Key Features
It is the lightest wireless bone conduction headphones you see on this list. In fact, it is 4g (~13%) lighter than the next lightest headphones.
Other than the Xtrainerz, which is bone conduction headphones suitable for swimming, the Aeropex has the best water and dust proof rating on this list with an IP Code of IP67. Together with its comfortable fit and stable wireless connection, the Aeropex is fantastic for workout.
Despite having great technical specs, the Aeropex still suffers from the problems of open-ear headphones. Exercising in a noisy area can be distracting and strong vibration during loud songs can make your ears slightly itchy.
The AfterShokz Aeropex is also the most expensive bone conduction headphones on the list. But if you are looking for the top-of-the-line bone conduction headphones, the price is worth considering.
More About Bone Conduction Headphones
How Does Bone Conduction Work?
Bone conduction sends the sound vibrations directly to the Cochlea trough skull bones, bypassing the external and middle ear. Once the internal ear receives the vibrations it creates a brain signal so you can hear it.
It’s a simple technology that uses bone conducting to transmit sound to the inner ear. Both normal hearing and hearing-impaired people can use it effectively.
Can Bone Conduction Headphones Cause Hearing Loss?
Bone conduction headphones can’t cause hearing loss through ear drum damage but can harm the inner ear (Cochlea) injury if abused.
So, you don’t have to worry about external and middle ear damage but if used for too long at too high “volume” you can damage your Cochlea.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe?
In terms of hearing safety bone conduction stereo headphones are at least as safe as regular headphones if not more. Because you bypass the eardrums and go straight to the internal ear, there are less “parts” to damage.
Also, because your outer ear is completely open to the air, you get perfect environment awareness (no noise isolation). You hear all sounds just like if you didn’t wear any headphones. It’s maximum protection for street runners or any other activity where you need to listen to the world around you.
And, at the same time, you hear the music in your head loud and clear.
Can a Deaf Person Hear with Bone Conduction?
Some deaf people can hear with bone conducting technology. If the eardrums are damaged and don’t send the vibrations to the inner ear (Cochlea), a person can use bone conduction to hear.
If a person is deaf because of the inner ear or neural problems, then bone conduction isn’t effective. Basically, bone conducting replaces the external and middle ear and sends the sound directly to the inner ear which then sends the signal to the brains.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones as Good as Regular Headphones?
In terms of build quality, comfort, and fit the bone conducting headphones are the same to regular headphones. But when it comes to sound quality, bone conduction is slightly lagging behind.
You can find good-sounding workout headphones with bone conduction technology but won’t find any audiophile headphones with it.
The main issue is the lack of rich bass. Open ear design with bone conduction isn’t best suited for that.
Who is Bone Conduction Best Suited for?
Bone conduction headphones are for people who can hear normally or have an eardrum-related hearing impairment (difficulties with detecting air conduction).
If you find regular earbuds uncomfortable, you might test these. The “earphones” don’t go into your ear canal or over your ear but just rest on the outer side of your skull.
Also, if you’re hearing impaired and you know your inner ear works normally (conductive hearing loss), then bone-conducting headphones are the best choice for you because you’ll actually hear them.
Who Uses Bone Conduction Headphones?
The technology has been mostly developed for the military that uses it for communication on the battlefield where awareness is crucial.
It’s also extensively used in hearing aids for people with conductive hearing loss.
Lately, you can find it in headphones for swimmers and as alternative workout headphones for normal users.
It’s a proven technology that works and offers significant advantages for the right use.
The entire process might sound a little bit too sci-fi to be a reality, but the technology has been around for over a decade.
Bone conduction headphones (or bonephones) are widely used by individuals suffering hearing loss, during scuba diving, as an essential form of military communications, and while performing certain sports such as running and cycling.
1. Aftershokz Trekz Air Wireless Bone Conduction Headphone
Key Features
- Type: Bone conduction
- Back design: Open-air
- Water-resistance: Yes, IP55 (IPX5)
- Connection: Wireless Bluetooth
- Battery: Up to 7 hours (standby time 20 days)
If you’re looking for a versatile pair of bone-conducting headphones in budget price then AfterShokz Trekz Air is the one with plenty of features.
This is the most organically designed bone conducting headphone that is crafted with titanium which makes it 20 percent lighter compared to other materials and provide all-day comfort.
AfterShokz sport next-generation bone-conduction technology to produce sound. The wraparound construction makes it flexible enough to fit easy and the Open Fit design helps know what’s happening in surroundings.
You get a near-perfect listening experience with the PremiumPitch+, which has wide dynamic range and rich bass. The natural sound leakage is controlled by the Leak Slayer technology introduced in the AfterShokz.
2. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Open Ear Wireless
Key Features
- Wireless range up to 33 feet
- Running play limitation: 6 Hours
- Charge within 1.4 hours
- Bluetooth: v4.1
For some people in-, over-, and on-ear headphones are useless if they make their head or ears sweat or they are tight enough that the head starts feeling pain or they want to listen to the surroundings.
Then, AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Mini Bone Conduction Headphones is the best solution that uses bone conduction technology to transfer music as well as allows you to listen to your external environment and lightweight enough that you might forget.
If you are wearing it while running or cycling and can withstand in rain and sweat.
Just to let you know, the Trekz Titanium headphones were crowd funded and they raised almost US$700,000. The Trekz Titanium was purely designed for adults, but they did had a goal of making a smaller version.
Today, the Trekz Titanium Mini is available in the market and offers almost all the features of Trekz Titanium.
The bone conduction technology was invented back in 19s, but AfterShokz continuousely kept improving its patented technology over time to provide quality, wireless music through vibrations on the cheekbones.
3. AfterShokz Bluez 2S Wireless Open Ear
Key Features
- Model Number: AS500G
- Running play limitation: 6 Hours
- Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 2.4 inches
AfterShokz is the popular manufacturer of open earphones. So, it’s no surprise that we are going to discuss AfterShokz Bluez 2s Review to know if it suits our needs and budget.
The AfterShokz Bluez 2S is the upgraded version of AfterShokz Bluez 2 and comes with Premium Pitch+ technology which boost the bottom end and avoid sound leakage, and some changes in external design.
The perforated openings allow these lightweight headphones to rest on your cheek, while the previous version had solid surface.
Having this exposed design still makes it meet IP55 standards which makes it water and dust proof.
This upgraded version comes with improved audio quality and volume, thanks to open speaker surface and revamped internals for the slight improvement in sound quality.
You get charging port, LED indicator, volume buttons and the power button at the bottom-side of the headphone. We even noticed some consumers reported about the volume and power button which should be on the side or on the right transducer.
You should already know how to treat bone-conduction headphones compared to regular headphones. Due to the bone-conducting technology there will be a slight difference in music even the music will be bit duller but while listening to the music you will get pleasantly spacious head-feel.
You can keep the volume maximum while hustling on bustling city streets and enjoying the music.
So the Premium Pitch+ reduces sound leakage as well as increases bass and damps vibrations. Unlike the in-ear or on-ear models isolating experience, you can hear both ambient sound and music at the same time.
That allows you to involve in a conversation while listening others carefully and listen to the cars approaching from behind which not only makes it flexible as well as safer.That’s not all, we have lot to talk about this bone-conducting headphone yet.
4. Aftershokz Sportz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphone
Key Features
- Weight: 0.16 ounces
- Running play limitation: 6 Hours
- Battery: 12 hours
While using traditional headphones or ear buds we tend to wear one ear bud while driving a car, or running on the street for safety. That’s because we want to listen the music while being aware of surroundings.
AfterShokz Sports Titanium has revolutionized the headphones industry by introducing the bone conduction headphones.
The bone conduction technology allows you to listen the music without covering your ears like in-, over-, or on-ear headphones or ear buds.
The AfterShokz Sportz Titanium rest on cheekbones where it creates vibrations to transmit music to your cochlea and you can hear it from those vibrations while your ears are uncovered which allows you to hear external sounds as well.
This allows you to ride a car, bike or do exercise in gym while listening to your favorite music and external ambient.
The AfterShokz Sportz Titanium is popular due to its premium features and an impressive battery life. You can literally use the headphones for hours in a single charge.
Just for reference, you can use it continuously for 12 hours in a single charge. Even the standby time is sixty days which makes it one of the best bone conduction headphones.
5. Trekz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Key Features
- 20Hz~20KHz Frequency
- 33 ft (10m) Wireless range
- Running play limitation: 6 Hours
- Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.6 x 6.6 inches
The next generation of bone conduction technology is what’s inside our lightest and most organically designed open ear headphones to date.
We cut the bulk and used titanium everywhere possible to ensure they not only fit more securely but sound better too. Trekz Air are inspired by the demands of elite and aspiring athletes motivated by their music and their world.
Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds. Complete wraparound titanium design provides a flexible fit for unnoticeable all-day comfort and stability.
Air wireless bone conduction headphones. The flexible titanium material and lightweight design offer a secure, comfortable fit, and the IP55-rated construction repels sweat, rain and dust.
6. JUHALL Bluetooth V4.2 Earphones Wireless Sports Headset
Key Features
- Weight: 0.16 ounces
- Running play limitation: 6 Hours
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 2 x 5.1 inches
The idea of bone conduction headphones appears to be futuristic, but the concept has actually been in use for over a century.
Famed 18th century deaf composer Beethoven used this technique to hear his piano notes, via a stick that was connected to his jaw bones.
Instead of sending sound vibrations through the air like normal headphones, bone conduction headphones send the vibrations through the human skull, bone labyrinth, and the inner ear, which transmits the signal to your brain’s auditory centre via the auditory nerve.
Bone conduction technology has also been used in hearing aids, sports headphones (especially for runners and cyclists), professional police headphones, call centre employees, and in the military.
Apart from benefiting those suffering from a Recession Type Hearing Impairment, bone conduction headphones also come in handy when you need to listen to an audio transmission while paying attention to your immediate environment.
Since bone conduction headphones do not occupy your ear canals, it will not block out the sound waves from your surroundings. You can think of them as the opposite of noise-cancelling headphones.
7. Bone Conduction Headphones Bluetooth 5.0 Vidonn F1 Titanium
Key Features
- Type: Bone conduction
- Back design: Open-air
- Water-resistance: Yes, IP55
- Connection: Wireless Bluetooth
- Battery: Up to 6 hours
If you’re interested in this bone conduction thing but don’t necessarily want to go all-in on the premium model, the Vidonn F1 Titanium wireless headset may be the way to go. At $70, it’s less than half the price of our premium pick, but still features a titanium build for enhanced comfort, as well as IP55 ingress protection for rain and sweat resistance.
It uses Bluetooth 4.1 for wireless connectivity, offers up to six hours of playback time and seven days of standby, and charges up in just two hours. Most of these metrics match that of the Trekz Air, making the F1 Titanium an excellent value.
8. AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Key Features
- Only weighs 26g
- Comfortable and snug fit
- 8 hrs of continuous playback
- Bluetooth V5.0
- IP67 – Sweat and dust-proof
It is the lightest wireless bone conduction headphones you see on this list. In fact, it is 4g (~13%) lighter than the next lightest headphones.
Other than the Xtrainerz, which is bone conduction headphones suitable for swimming, the Aeropex has the best water and dust proof rating on this list with an IP Code of IP67. Together with its comfortable fit and stable wireless connection, the Aeropex is fantastic for workout.
Despite having great technical specs, the Aeropex still suffers from the problems of open-ear headphones. Exercising in a noisy area can be distracting and strong vibration during loud songs can make your ears slightly itchy.
The AfterShokz Aeropex is also the most expensive bone conduction headphones on the list. But if you are looking for the top-of-the-line bone conduction headphones, the price is worth considering.
More About Bone Conduction Headphones
How Does Bone Conduction Work?
Bone conduction sends the sound vibrations directly to the Cochlea trough skull bones, bypassing the external and middle ear. Once the internal ear receives the vibrations it creates a brain signal so you can hear it.
It’s a simple technology that uses bone conducting to transmit sound to the inner ear. Both normal hearing and hearing-impaired people can use it effectively.
Can Bone Conduction Headphones Cause Hearing Loss?
Bone conduction headphones can’t cause hearing loss through ear drum damage but can harm the inner ear (Cochlea) injury if abused.
So, you don’t have to worry about external and middle ear damage but if used for too long at too high “volume” you can damage your Cochlea.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe?
In terms of hearing safety bone conduction stereo headphones are at least as safe as regular headphones if not more. Because you bypass the eardrums and go straight to the internal ear, there are less “parts” to damage.
Also, because your outer ear is completely open to the air, you get perfect environment awareness (no noise isolation). You hear all sounds just like if you didn’t wear any headphones. It’s maximum protection for street runners or any other activity where you need to listen to the world around you.
And, at the same time, you hear the music in your head loud and clear.
Can a Deaf Person Hear with Bone Conduction?
Some deaf people can hear with bone conducting technology. If the eardrums are damaged and don’t send the vibrations to the inner ear (Cochlea), a person can use bone conduction to hear.
If a person is deaf because of the inner ear or neural problems, then bone conduction isn’t effective. Basically, bone conducting replaces the external and middle ear and sends the sound directly to the inner ear which then sends the signal to the brains.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones as Good as Regular Headphones?
In terms of build quality, comfort, and fit the bone conducting headphones are the same to regular headphones. But when it comes to sound quality, bone conduction is slightly lagging behind.
You can find good-sounding workout headphones with bone conduction technology but won’t find any audiophile headphones with it.
The main issue is the lack of rich bass. Open ear design with bone conduction isn’t best suited for that.
Who is Bone Conduction Best Suited for?
Bone conduction headphones are for people who can hear normally or have an eardrum-related hearing impairment (difficulties with detecting air conduction).
If you find regular earbuds uncomfortable, you might test these. The “earphones” don’t go into your ear canal or over your ear but just rest on the outer side of your skull.
Also, if you’re hearing impaired and you know your inner ear works normally (conductive hearing loss), then bone-conducting headphones are the best choice for you because you’ll actually hear them.
Who Uses Bone Conduction Headphones?
The technology has been mostly developed for the military that uses it for communication on the battlefield where awareness is crucial.
It’s also extensively used in hearing aids for people with conductive hearing loss.
Lately, you can find it in headphones for swimmers and as alternative workout headphones for normal users.
It’s a proven technology that works and offers significant advantages for the right use.
0 Comments