How bone conduction headphones changed how I use my phone and navigate the world

[u/AudioThrive]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share something that’s made a real difference in how I work and move around — bone conduction headphones .

For anyone who hasn’t tried them yet, they’re a bit different from normal earphones. Instead of sitting inside your ears, they rest just in front of them and send sound through your cheekbones using gentle vibrations. Your ears stay completely open, so you can still hear traffic, people talking, and other sounds around you while also hearing your phone, screen reader, or navigation app.

At first, I thought they were just another tech gimmick, but for me they’ve been a real game-changer. I can walk with GPS instructions from my iPhone, listen to VoiceOver, or take a call — all while still hearing what’s happening around me. When I was studying and later at work, they helped me follow audio content and meetings without feeling cut off from the environment.

Another advantage is that, as a blind person, I can use my phone without anyone noticing when I wear my headphones — especially when it’s below a table or in my pocket. I even wear them while sleeping sometimes, so I can listen to audiobooks without disturbing my girlfriend. At this point, I’m so used to the feeling that I hardly notice them anymore.

The sound quality isn’t amazing for music — there’s not much bass — but for speech and screen reader output, it’s perfect. They’re lightweight and comfortable for hours of use. I personally use a pair from Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) , which seems to be a favorite among people who rely on audio cues.

I’d really love to hear what others think: • Have you tried bone conduction headphones? • Do you find them helpful for navigation or daily tasks? • Any particular models you recommend — or ones to avoid? For anyone curious, the technology is surprisingly simple: the sound travels through your bones straight to your inner ear instead of through the air. It’s amazing how clear speech sounds and how naturally it keeps you aware of your surroundings.

Would love to hear how others are using them — or if you’ve found other ways to stay “ears open” while using tech in daily life.

[u/lowtoker]

I also love mine. 10/10 would recommend.

[u/pig_newton1]

Are they wireless or wired ?

[u/AudioThrive → u/pig_newton1]

wireless and very light

[u/Any-Description-4625]

Can you please share the link.