There is a new technology for listening to music during workouts that is gaining ground especially among runners and cyclists: bone conduction headphones . Bone conduction headphones allow you to listen to playlists, podcasts or receive phone calls while leaving your ear free (and therefore perceiving everything that is happening around you), transmitting the audio through vibrations to the bones of the skull.
Perceiving everything that is happening around you, such as traffic noise, when running on the street has always been the concern of many runners who love running to music. Bone conduction headphones seem to have solved this problem: are they the future for all sportsmen who don’t want to give up on music during an outdoor workout? Let’s see everything there is to know.
Bone conduction headphones: What are they?
Bone conduction headphones are a real innovation. They are basically headphones that allow you to listen to audio not through the external auditory ducts, i.e. the ears, but by exploiting the bones of the skull.
The first commercial bone conduction headphones were introduced in the Japanese market during 2002 and have subsequently been adopted in other countries as well. Only in the last few years, however, have these headphones really started to become popular.
However, bone conduction technology is not new at all. It was, in fact, developed for the first time in the seventies by Doctor Yanagisawa, a Japanese doctor who for years had been working on the search for solutions to help people with hearing problems to hear music better.
To date, the operation is very simple: these headphones are composed of small transducers that convert sound into mechanical vibrations, which are then transmitted through the cheekbones and jaw to the inner ear, where they are interpreted as sound. Unlike a traditional headset, therefore, they leave the ear free to listen to both music or a call and what is happening around at the same time.
3 Reasons to Choose Bone Conduction Headphones
Bone conduction headphones can actually be an excellent solution for all runners who like listening to music while running and, in general, for any other type of outdoor sporting activity, at least for three reasons.
1. Safety
These headphones allow you to listen to music or calls without completely isolating yourself from the outside world. This way, athletes can stay aware of potential hazards, such as moving vehicles or approaching other athletes, making running safer.
2. Comfort
Basically very light, these headphones do not exert pressure on the ears, so it is possible to wear them even for prolonged periods. Also, unlike Around-Ear or Circumaural headphones that completely surround the auricle while leaving the speakers slightly detached from the ear, bone conduction headphones prevent overheating and excessive sweating during physical activity.
3. Sound quality
Although the listening transmission channel is not the ear, the perceived sound quality is still very good. The listening experience is certainly different from traditional headphones but, thanks to the new tested technologies, it is still particularly appreciated by those who have tried them.
Do Bone Conduction Headphones Hurt?
Like everything new, the new bone conduction technology has also raised several doubts about the possible negative consequences it can have on the human body. However, science fully agrees on this: bone conduction headphones do not hurt, the vibrations produced by these headphones and transmitted to the bones of the skull are not harmful to health. Only if the headphones are worn too tightly, for an extended period of time, could they cause discomfort or skin irritation on the contact areas.
4 Models of Bone Conduction Headphones not to be Missed
Open Run Pro
Top model of Shokz, one of the most important brands in the field of bone conduction headphones. The OpenRun Pro features the latest 9th generation bone conduction technology, with two added bass enhancers and a comfortable open-ear fit. Water resistant and capable of transmitting music and calls with an autonomy of 10 hours.
TAA6606
Philips bone conduction headphones boast an IP67 waterproof level, and can be used safely even when it rains or sweats a lot. The lightweight neckband design ensures that you can wear it for a long time, without messing up your hair or putting pressure on your head. A single charge ensures about 9 hours of playback.
WF-05280 4-US
Wanfei headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology; the maximum wireless connection distance of 10 meters ensures high-fidelity stereo sound quality. Crafted with a titanium headband, these headphones are lightweight and flexible, ensuring maximum comfort during extended use. With a long-lasting battery, they allow for 4-5 hours of continuous use, with a charge of just 2 hours.
OpenMove
The OpenMove are very light, only 29 grams, and therefore almost imperceptible: no danger of overheating the ears even on the hottest days. With a quick charge of 2 hours they guarantee 6 hours of playback. Equipped with bluetooth 5.1 technology. guarantee a stable connection, in all conditions.
