Most people are familiar with hearing a ringing or buzzing in their ears after being exposed to loud noise called tinnitus. While there is no cure for tinnitus, some people find relief from using bone conduction headphones.
The question is, are bone conduction headphones good for tinnitus? The short answer is yes, but there are some things you need to know before buying them.
This blog post will cover what tinnitus is, how bone conduction headphones help with tinnitus, and the best options on the market.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition characterized by a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears. While it is most common after exposure to loud noise, anything that leads to hearing loss can also cause tinnitus.
Things that can damage the ear include exposure to loud noises, ear infections, wax build-up, mites, medications, and aging.
As stated above, tinnitus is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of another underlying condition. Nevertheless, it has been reported by about 15% of American adults. Studies have shown that 50 million Americans are affected by tinnitus.
Globally, 10 to 15 percent of the population experiences some form of tinnitus every year, with about one out of every 100 people suffering from it so severely that they cannot function normally.
Type of tinnitus
There are two types of tinnitus- objective and subjective.
Objective: occurs when the ears pick up the sound. An example would be an object hitting the eardrum or blood flowing through arteries near your eardrum.
Subjective: occurs when tinnitus is only heard by the person afflicted with it.
What Causes Tinnitus?
In general, tinnitus is caused by damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. This can be caused by loud noise exposure, age-related hearing loss, a tumor, or circulatory system disorder.
Other factors can cause tinnitus, such as:
- Head or neck injuries,
- Ear infections and
- Some medications.
Most patients with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss, and it is uncertain whether tinnitus comes first or hearing loss.
As you can see, many factors contribute to tinnitus. The good thing is bone conduction headphones can help with all of them!
Do Bone Conduction Headphones Cause Tinnitus?
Yes and no. Bone conduction headphones use sound waves to transmit sound through the bones of your skull- this is what makes them so unique. This technology leads to a more natural listening experience for wearers as it does not require you to plug your ears with earbuds or headphones.
Our research found that bone conduction headphones are not necessarily better or worse for tinnitus sufferers compared to traditional headphones.
As stated earlier, many factors contribute to the development of tinnitus. There are also multiple types of tinnitus.
The type of bone conduction headphones you choose could make it easier or harder for you to hear your tinnitus. We found some bone conduction headphones with a lower noise-cancellation rating than traditional earphones.
If you cannot hear your tinnitus with these types of headphones, it may be wise to consider trying a pair with a higher cancellation rating.
In general, the better the cancelation is on your headphones, the harder it will be to hear your tinnitus.
Remember, none of this is medical advice, and we are not doctors! Therefore, anyone thinking about trying out a pair of bone conduction headphones should consult their doctor first.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Good for Tinnitus?
As stated above, bone conduction headphones may not be the perfect solution for all tinnitus sufferers.
If you cannot hear your tinnitus with a particular type of headphone, it may not help to use this type of audio technology.
On the other hand, some people find great relief by using bone conduction technology because they are no longer plugged into earphones.
Can You Wear Headphones with Tinnitus?
Yes, you can still enjoy listening to your favorite music even if you have tinnitus. This is thanks to the unique technology of bone conduction headphones.
People with tinnitus can hear better through headphones because the sound that would have gone into their ears is now being delivered directly to their skulls.
If you are suffering from tinnitus or just looking for a way to listen to your favorite music without having to plug anything in, bone conduction technology may be for you.
How Do Bone Conduction Headphones Help with Tinnitus?
There is no cure for the condition known as tinnitus. This unfortunate fact leads many sufferers to look for relief in different ways.
Some people find that sound therapy offers them a reprieve from their symptoms, while others turn to medication or surgery.
Some tinnitus sufferers try bone conduction headphones because they allow you to listen to music without having to plug any earphones into your ears.
It is easier for you to listen to your surroundings with tinnitus because sound waves are transmitted through your skull bones.
If you cannot hear your tinnitus, this might lead to hearing loss over time since there is nothing to protect your ears.
As with any new technology, bone conduction headphones are not perfect for everyone with tinnitus.
If you cannot hear your symptoms when using the product, it may not help you get rid of or cope with your symptoms in a meaningful way.
If this is the case for you, we encourage you to consult your doctor about other treatment options before deciding that these headphones are not for you.
How to Wear Bone Conduction Headphones with Tinnitus?
As mentioned in the introduction, bone conduction headphones use sonic vibrations to transmit sound through your skull. This makes wearing them a more natural experience than conventional earbuds or headphones.
When combined with noise-canceling properties, this technology makes bone conduction headphones perfect for people who suffer from tinnitus.
When compared to traditional headphones, you will be able to fully experience your favorite music without having to plug them into your ear.
The most important thing about wearing bone conduction headphones is making sure they are fitted securely and comfortably. You should never wear a pair of headphones if they cause pain or discomfort!
Which bone conduction headphones are best for tinnitus?
There is no perfect pair of bone conduction headphones waiting around for someone with tinnitus to come along and buy them up, at least not yet!
This said, there are a few models that we think might be worth checking out if you have tinnitus.
Keep in mind that the only way to know whether a particular model of bone conduction headphones can help you cope with your symptoms is by trying it out for yourself!
1. AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones
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AfterShokz Aeropex Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones is a set of earphones with a sleek and lightweight headset that delivers premium audio through the cheekbone.
Using this open-ear design, you can still keep your surroundings in mind while listening to music or making calls.
You can enjoy 8 hours of playback when listening to music or making calls. In addition, it is the world’s first bone conduction headphones to be IP67 waterproof certified, which means you can easily sweat and swim with them.
2. Tayogo Sweatproof Wireless Bluetooth Bone Conducting Earbuds
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Tayogo has again delivered on the promise of wireless sound with these bone conduction earbuds.
They are no different from their wired predecessors, but now instead of using wires, they use Bluetooth to connect to your phone (or any other Bluetooth device).
The audio is good and the battery life is excellent! In addition, I love how comfortable they are, especially when running – which is probably their intended purpose.
You can pair these Tayogo wireless headphones with many iOS and Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, Macbooks, PCs, and laptops.
They come with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for easy connection across multiple Bluetooth devices.
The 35-foot wireless connection distance assures high-fidelity stereo sound quality and stable operation.
3. Pyle Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones
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Pyle Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones uses wireless Bluetooth technology to connect your device.
With no headband required, these headphones are lightweight and provide a comfortable fit for all-day wearing. In addition, the open-ear design lets you listen to music or make calls without covering your ears.
Pyle’s bone conduction headset offers high-quality sound with Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology. Listen to music without wires getting in the way with an operating distance of 33 feet.
Instead, connect with your device quickly and easily via Bluetooth with simple controls on the headset.
Conclusion
Tinnitus is a symptom that many people experience, and it can be very frustrating and even debilitating for those who suffer from it.
As we mentioned above, wearing bone conduction headphones can help lessen tinnitus symptoms for some people by providing an audible signal instead of just hearing ringing or buzzing noise in their ears.
Before purchasing a pair of headphones, we would recommend seeing a doctor so they can determine if you have tinnitus or some other condition.
If your doctor determines that you have tinnitus, it might be worth considering one of the models we mentioned in this blog post. Each model has its unique features and benefits- just like people.
If you are interested in using bone conduction headphones that can help with tinnitus, definitely check out the AfterShokz Aeropex– whichever model suits you best!