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It turns out that the latest technology in headphones isn’t actually new at all. Bone conduction has existed for centuries—but now, it’s being applied to consumer electronics.
Keeping the ear canal open, bone conduction headphones make it simpler to remain aware of your surroundings while also enjoying high-quality music and calls. This design makes these headphones a good choice for people who use hearing aids or have poor hearing.
The Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 30 top designs, ranking them based on affordability, product weight, battery life, water resistance and more to identify the best bone conduction headphones for poor hearing. Read ahead to discover our top picks.
Note: All product prices are accurate as of the publication date.
AfterShokz are often the standard by which other bone conduction headphones are judged. This particular model of Aftershokz pairs the comfort of bone conduction headphones with the convenience of a boom microphone. It’s a great fit for people who work from home or who often take calls on the road.
SwimAudios by Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones
Despite the name, SwimAudios aren’t suitable for swimming. However, these comfortable headphones have an IPX6 water resistance rating, making them a great pick for sweat-breaking activities like running or cycling. We also love the built-in microphone.
YouthWhisper Lite Bone Conduction Headphones
The flexible titanium headband of these lightweight headphones takes pressure off the ears, and the portion that rests on the cheekbone is made of soft silicone—two features that make these headphones particularly comfortable.
Krcong Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Open Ear Headphones
The enclosed design of these headphones makes them both sweatproof and waterproof, making them a great option for exercise enthusiasts. The IPX7 rating indicates that even a brief immersion in water shouldn’t cause damage.
These lower-priced bone conduction headphones are backed by Lenovo’s reputation for quality. What’s more, sweat is no sweat, as a waterproof plug protects the charging cable connection point.
The Lenoxo X3 are the least expensive headphones on our list, but they still pack a punch. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, they pair quickly with both iOS and Android devices and maintain a stable connection with ease.
If you’re looking for lightweight headphones to wear while on the move, consider the S2, which offers a flexible and durable frame. They also feature super stereo sound quality and sound shock for a crisp and comfortable listening experience.
These bone conduction headphones from Wanfei are both durable and comfortable, thanks to their soft silicone construction. While they aren’t designed for swimming, they’re sweatproof, bendable and come in two color choices.
These headphones have 8 gigabytes of independent memory, which means you can download music and listen in MP3 mode in addition to listening via Bluetooth. And an IPX8 waterproof rating makes the Lenovo X5 suitable for all kinds of sports, including swimming.
The sound quality of these earbuds lives up to the Bose brand reputation. Plus, the truly wireless design means no fussing with the band that’s part of most bone conduction headphones. They fit right around the ear to support your listening needs.
To determine the best bone conduction headphones for poor hearing, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 30 top designs, ranking them based on:
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Bone conduction headphones don’t sit inside your ears, but rather rest on the jawbone and often have a soft band connecting them behind your head for an otherwise wireless experience. The physical contact with the bone is what allows users to hear the sounds being amplified through the headphones.
Traditional headphones bring amplified sound into the ear canal using air conduction. From there, the sound moves through the eardrum and the middle ear to reach the inner ear, where it’s processed and sent to the brain.
Bone conduction devices don’t use air to conduct sound—they use bone. Bone conduction headphones send sound through the skull to reach the inner ear, which is why they can be particularly useful for people with outer or middle ear issues.
In the 17th century, educators began using bone conduction technology to help people with damaged hearing hear better. Today, bone conduction is used in headphones, personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) and hearing aids.
“We test bone conduction during hearing evaluations routinely,” says Abigail Friend, an audiologist with Proliance South Seattle Otolaryngology and 2022 Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “This technology is not new for us in the audiology world.”
If you’re interested in comfortable headphones for exercising, navigating work calls and more, this style might be a good fit for you. Bone conduction headphones are a consumer electronic, so they’re available to everyone.
“If anyone is curious, give it a shot,” says Friend.
These headphones help users avoid the discomfort that may accompany in-ear headphones. They fit well and can be suitable for people with hearing loss. And because the ear canal is left open, users can still hear what’s happening around them while wearing the headphones.
“The nice part is that it allows you to be aware of your surroundings so you hear what’s going on around you,” says Friend. “If I want to run, my ears are open, so I would be able to know what’s happening around me for safety. It’s really important that you hear cars, bikes and other people.”
Friend adds that her husband had trouble keeping in-ear wireless headphones in his ears while working out, but since bone conduction headphones go around the ear, he experienced greater success wearing them. Compare Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Poor Hearing
Price isn’t the only factor to weigh when shopping for headphones. Here are a few considerations that should inform your purchase.
Freedom is one of the goals of bone conduction headphones, and Bluetooth connectivity makes it easier to stay connected while on the go. From syncing with your preferred music app to conducting phone calls, Bluetooth pairs your headphones with iOS and Android devices. When possible, look for Bluetooth 5.0, the latest version of the technology.
Bone conduction headphones sound different from air conduction headphones. With bone conduction, wearers tend to experience fuller, deeper sounds.
“Obviously, they’re not going to be the same as in-ear headphones,” says Friend. “And if people have some hidden hearing loss, they may not hear as well. It depends on the individual.”
Test various headphone options to find the product that sounds best to you.
Review the Ingress Protection (IP) rating of the headphones you’re considering. IP ratings note how protected the instrument is against liquids damaging the device. These ratings range from IPX1, which indicates protection against dripping water, to IPX9K, which protects against powerful, high-temperature water jets.
IP ratings aren’t certified, but they can give you a good idea of headphones’ water resistance. If you want to use bone conduction headphones while swimming, for instance, your IP rating needs differ from those of someone using the headphones while working in an office.
When choosing bone conduction headphones, consider how long you want to use them between charges. The options we reviewed offer battery life ranging from five to 16 hours.
The less headphones weigh, the more likely the user can wear them comfortably during activity and for extended periods of time. Be sure to check how much headphones weigh before purchasing them. When possible, pick a pair that weighs less than 1 ounce.
Comfort is a matter of personal preference, and you likely need to test a few pairs of headphones to determine which style feels best for you. From the materials to the ergonomics of the design, they should feel easy to wear during activity and stay in place so you can almost forget about them.
Find The Best Hearing Aids For You
Get a free consultation from your local hearing specialist.
Not really. Whether you use air conduction or bone conduction headphones, overuse can put you at risk of cochlear damage.
Using earphones of any kind at too high a volume and for extended periods of time can put your hearing health at risk.
“Bone conduction headphones are pretty similar to regular headphones—if you put them too loud, they would have a similar effect,” says Friend. “You have to be very cautious about using them so that it’s not too loud or too long.”
Fortunately, new tools can help you monitor headphone use. For instance, the iPhone’s headphone notification feature lets you know when your headphones are too loud or if you’ve been using them longer than recommended.
It depends on the individual. Bone conduction earphones can be expensive, but they’re easy to wear during physical activity. They can work particularly well for people with hearing loss, too.
“They’re small, light and wireless, and the most important thing is safety,” says Friend. “I think a lot of people will find them a pretty good alternative [to in-ear headphones].”
Insurance coverage varies, but chances are your health insurance won’t pay for bone conduction headphones.
“I don’t know if these headphones are ever medically necessary or covered by insurance,” says Friend. “With bone conduction hearing devices, most insurance will have some consideration … but headphones are more of a consumer product.”
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Becky Brown is a professional writer whose mission it is to empower readers. She tells stories that help people make smart, informed decisions about their health and lives. She’s covered everything from endocrinology to entrepreneurship, food safety to finances. She loves dogs, vegetables and stories that make her guffaw.
Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.