No, it's just a buzzy speaker that sits against your head. If you turn it up too loud it'll start to tickle. Everyone else around can hear what you're listening to and the sound quality sucks. Just get earbuds. Answer from SummitCollie on reddit.com
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Hearing Health & Technology Matters
hearinghealthmatters.org › home › bad to the bone headsets
Bone Conduction Headsets: Bad to the Bone
December 1, 2024 - However, it’s essential to understand that they may have limitations in terms of audio quality, sound leakage, and like with other types of audio devices, there’s a chance that some users will experience discomfort or other potential side effects. Careful selection of models, adjusting the fit, and taking breaks during extended use can help mitigate any issues for the vast majority of people looking to purchase a bone conduction headset. ... Brandy (2013). What is bone conduction? A look at headphones of the future.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/asktechnology › does bone conduction headphones have side effects?
r/AskTechnology on Reddit: Does bone conduction headphones have side effects?
May 26, 2023 - Side effects of bone conduction earphones 3: Pain after wearing for a long time? Inaccurate! It is indeed uncomfortable to wear bone conduction headphones for a long time. Long-term wearing here means that the sound unit is attached to the temple and worn for more than 3-4 hours.
Discussions

Tinnitus Masking: Bone Conduction Headphones (e.g., Aftershokz) — Share Your Experience
I think it does indeed, but many white noise generators are "behind the ear" with "receiver in canal" (BTE/RIC) which leaves your ear "open" to external sounds (to mix in with the noise generator). This would would be different with closed/isolating headphones/ear buds. What’s your opinion on... More on tinnitustalk.com
🌐 tinnitustalk.com
112
March 12, 2014
Does bone conduction headphones have side effects?
No, it's just a buzzy speaker that sits against your head. If you turn it up too loud it'll start to tickle. Everyone else around can hear what you're listening to and the sound quality sucks. Just get earbuds. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/AskTechnology
3
3
May 26, 2023
Is bone conduction headphone safe?
Audiologist here who uses bone conduction headphones. They are no less safe than any headphone that goes in or over your ear. I like bone conduction for the safety factor of when I bike or lift weights, I can still hear what's around me for safety (but some people don't like that and that's fair!) All that matters is the volume of listening to them. You can tell when bone conduction is too loud because you physically feel the headphones vibrating (and that's quite annoying to be honest). So it's not less safe volume wise, but for safety wise I love them and recommend them! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HearingLoss
5
21
December 29, 2022
Bone conduction is just bullshit
Aren't bone conduction headphones aimed at like runners and people who want to have their ears open for spatial awareness in public? How is it bullshit if they still provide that benefit? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/headphones
117
12
May 3, 2023
People also ask

Why are bone conduction headphones more comfortable than traditional in-ear air-conduction headphones?
Unlike in-ear models that can put pressure on the ear canal, bone conduction headphones rest on the temporal bone, eliminating discomfort. Additionally, the open-ear design prevents the buildup of heat and moisture, especially during exercise, which can cause irritation.
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shokz.com
shokz.com › blogs › guides › the-technical-difficulties-of-bone-conduction-headphones
Bone Conduction Headphones: Technical Challenges and Benefits
Does Bone Conduction Headphones Damage Hearing?
Bone conduction headphones are generally safer for your hearing because they transmit sound through your bones, bypassing the eardrum. This reduces the risk of eardrum damage compared to traditional headphones. However, listening at very high volumes for long periods can still be harmful, so it’s best to keep the volume moderate. More info: https://shokz.com/blogs/news/bone-conduction-headphones-hearing-safety
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shokz.com
shokz.com › blogs › guides › the-technical-difficulties-of-bone-conduction-headphones
Bone Conduction Headphones: Technical Challenges and Benefits
How often should I test employee hearing?
At a minimum, employees should receive a baseline audiogram followed by annual testing. Soundtrace allows more frequent, flexible testing as needed—especially after high exposures or STS events.
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soundtrace.com
soundtrace.com › blog › the-hidden-risks-of-bone-conduction-headphones-revealed-safeguarding-your-hearing-health
The Hidden Risks of Bone Conduction Headphones Revealed: Safeguarding ...
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Soundtrace
soundtrace.com › blog › the-hidden-risks-of-bone-conduction-headphones-revealed-safeguarding-your-hearing-health
The Hidden Risks of Bone Conduction Headphones Revealed: Safeguarding Your Hearing Health | Soundtrace - Digital Hearing Conservation Program
June 19, 2024 - Cory Portnuff and Elliott Berger's seminal piece, "The Truth about Bone-Conduction Earphones" (The Hearing Journal, 65(6):p 4, June 2012, DOI: 10.1097/01.HJ.0000415192.03538.d6), delves deep into this matter. Contrary to popular belief, bone conduction headphones are not immune to causing harm to our cochlea, the delicate auditory organ responsible for translating sound into neural signals.
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Soundcore
soundcore.com › home › blog center › headphones blog › are bone-conduction headphones safe? what you need to know
Are Bone-Conduction Headphones Safe? Unveiling the Truth
September 9, 2025 - While some users adapt and grow accustomed to this feeling over time, others may find it discomforting. If you're questioning whether bone-conduction headphones can cause hearing loss, it's not out of the realm of possibility.
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Shokz
shokz.com › blogs › guides › the-technical-difficulties-of-bone-conduction-headphones
Bone Conduction Headphones: Technical Challenges and Benefits
1 week ago - Discover the biggest challenges of bone conduction headphones—sound quality, vibration, battery life, and sound leakage—and why Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the best bone conduction headphones.
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Drip-Fly
drip-fly.com.au › home › what are the side effects of bone conduction headphones?
What Are the Side Effects of Bone Conduction Headphones? – Drip-Fly
July 9, 2025 - ... For people who require situational ... Users need to be mindful of the possible negative effects, though, like headaches, discomfort, and audio limitations....
Find elsewhere
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Sanag Shop
sanagshop.com › blogs › blog › what-are-the-side-effects-of-bone-conduction-headphones
What are the side effects of bone conduction headphones? – Sanag Shop
June 3, 2024 - If headaches persist, consider ... Headphones. Bone conduction headphones, like any wearable device, may lead to skin irritation, especially in sweaty conditions or with prolonged use....
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ALOVA
alovaaudio.com › home › knowledge › are bone conduction headphones safe for long-term use?
Are bone conduction headphones safe for long-term use? - ALOVA
March 11, 2025 - For example, you can take off the ... conduction headphones don’t transmit sound through the ear canal like traditional headphones, high volume levels can still damage your hearing....
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Soundly
soundly.com › blog › bone-conduction-headphones-safety
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe?
This is the concept behind bone conduction technology, and it's a type of audio transmission that uses transducers to transmit sound waves directly through the bones of the head, bypassing the outer and middle ears. This means that with bone-conduction headphones, you can enjoy music without blocking off your ears or covering them up.
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Quora
quora.com › Are-there-any-potential-long-term-health-risks-associated-with-wearing-in-ear-headphones-such-as-deafness-or-hearing-impairment
Are there any potential long-term health risks associated with wearing in-ear headphones, such as deafness or hearing impairment? - Quora
Answer: The risks associated with headphone use have to do with the volume of the sound you are listening to. If you listen to the sound at a normal conversational level, it is not loud enough to damage your hearing. However, once it hits 85dB, it can start to damage your hearing if you listen t...
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PubMed Central
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC10126703
Hearing Through Bone Conduction Headsets - PMC
The difference in ear canal sound pressure at threshold (in dB) between BC and AC stimulation when the BC stimulation is at (A) the ipsilateral and (B) the contralateral side. The vertical bars indicate ± 1SD and are slightly shifted for visibility. AC: air conduction; BC: bone conduction. As already explained, masking of the nontest ear in BC threshold testing can elevate the hearing thresholds due to central masking, which is not observed in AC testing. Surendran and Stenfelt (2022) previously assumed that this effect could range from 5 to 10 dB.
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Shokz
uk.shokz.com › blogs › guides › how-safe-are-bone-conduction-headphones
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe?
March 8, 2024 - Discover how bone conduction headphones work and whether they’re safe for your hearing. Learn the real facts, common myths, and how they compare to traditional headphones.
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Langsdom
us.langsdom.com › home › news › news
How To Protect Your Hearing While Using Bone Conduction Headphones
January 8, 2025 - Prolonged exposure to loud, high ... in irreparable hearing damage, often unnoticed until significant harm has already been done. NIHL should be particularly worrying, since damage often develops gradually without immediate notice until irreversible damage has already taken place. Prolonged exposure to high-intensity sound waves from any audio device can have long-term harmful effects on hearing health, contributing to permanent hearing damage...
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NG EarSafe
ngearsafe.com › blogs › open-ear-headphones › bone-conduction-headphones-side-effects
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe? Myths & Truth Explained
There are common side effects and how they can be easily prevented: Some users may feel slight pressure from wearing bone conduction headphones, especially for extended periods. (More than 4+ hours) Solution: Choose lightweight models like NG ...
Published   October 31, 2025
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Nagish
nagish.com › post › are-bone-conduction-headphones-safe
Bone Conduction Headphones: Everything You Need to Know
July 5, 2025 - Even though bone conduction headphones bypass the eardrum, the cochlea is still involved in the hearing process. Listening at excessively high volumes for extended periods can strain the cochlea, leading to potential hearing issues over time.
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Hearview
hearview.ai › blogs › news › are-bone-conduction-headphones-safe-for-people-with-hearing-loss-a-complete-guide
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe for People with Hearing Loss? A Co – Hearview
October 27, 2025 - On-ear and over-ear headphones can also cause heat and sweat buildup. By leaving the ear canal completely open, bone conduction headphones promote natural air circulation, keeping the ear canal drier and healthier.
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Medium
medium.com › @2972333263 › what-are-the-side-effects-of-wireless-wireless-bone-conduction-headphones-f933d4779a1b
What Are The Side Effects of Wireless wireless bone conduction headphones? | by Author | Medium
May 24, 2023 - Side effects of bone conduction earphones 3: Pain after wearing for a long time? Inaccurate! It is indeed uncomfortable to wear wireless bone conduction headphones for a long time. Long-term wearing here means that the sound unit is attached to the temple and worn for more than 3–4 hours.
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Tinnitus Talk
tinnitustalk.com › forums › treatments
Tinnitus Masking: Bone Conduction Headphones (e.g., Aftershokz) — Share Your Experience | Page 3 | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
March 12, 2014 - I keep them on up to 8 hours a day, but I am gradually ramping down. No adverse effects. It's funny, because I discovered their benefit while doing video conferencing. I can't avoid headphones in my line of work.
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Ars OpenForum
arstechnica.com › forums › ars lykaion › news & discussion
Bone-conduction headphones: Long-term test and review of AfterShokz | Ars OpenForum
July 12, 2021 - Mic sucks and battery life is quite mediocre (plus the charging led is really bright at night) One very minor point, they have a tendancy to get caught when wearing a mask and you take the headphones or mask off in the wrong order, ditto helmet strap ona bike. But that's hardly the headphones fault. ... No mention of comfort. Bone conduction requires some mechanical pressure to transfer vibrations to bone.
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Shokz
shokz.com › blogs › news › bone-conduction-headphones-hearing-safety
Does Bone Conduction Headphones Damage Hearing: Complete Guide
December 5, 2025 - Learn if bone conduction headphones damage hearing, how they work, and why Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 offers safe listening for sports, running, and daily use.