What are bone conduction headphones and are they safe?

If you’ve been shopping for a new pair of headphones, there are plenty of types to choose from, and one such type are bone conduction models which look slightly different to more traditional pairs. 

To help you decide whether a pair of bone conduction headphones would be right for you, we’ve explained what you need to know about them. This includes what bone conduction headphones are, how they work and whether they’re safe for your ear health.

Otherwise, if you’re seeking out your next new set then our best headphones and best wireless earbuds lists offer more choices.

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What are bone conduction headphones?

We’ll start by covering the basics. Bone conduction headphones look different from traditional in-ear and over-headphones, as they rest over your ears while avoiding blocking your ear. 

They work differently from traditional headphones too, with the sound that you hear produced by the speaker that creates vibrations against your skull.

How do bone conduction headphones work?

Bone conduction headphones are fitted with transducers, a device that converts energy from one form to another, and in the case of bone conduction headphones it converts audio into vibrations. These vibrations are then transmitted through the bones of your face and jaw. 

Once these vibrations reach your inner ear (specifically the cochlea), your brain recognises them as sound.

Are bone conduction headphones safe?

Generally speaking, bone conduction models are deemed a safer choice of headphones for multiple reasons. Firstly, as they don’t sit inside your ear canal it’s thought that you can reduce certain issues such as earwax build-up that come with more traditional products.

The open-nature of bone conduction headphones means there’s also a lack of direct pressure on the eardrum too, which means there’s less risk of damage too.

Ear health aside, there are many other reasons why bone conduction headphones are seen to be a safer choice than traditional options. As they don’t cover or block your ears, they naturally let in ambient sound which allows you to stay aware of your surroundings.

While many of us would prefer to opt for the best noise-cancelling headphones, in some instances where you’re jogging or walking late outside it’s important to stay aware of traffic and others around you.

However, bone conduction headphones don’t provide any protection against loud sounds. They’re not the type of headphones that would work well in consistently loud environments, like the metro/subway/underground or on an airplane.

Are bone conduction headphones better?

This depends on what you prefer. If you are concerned about hearing loss, struggle with traditional in-ear headphones or want to stay aware of your surroundings while listening, the bone conduction headphones are a better choice as their design means you don’t need to stick them into your ear canal. 

However, if you want a pair with ANC that can protect you against loud sounds and offer better sound quality, then a more traditional set of headphones is a better choice. 

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