In 2011, Shokz, introduced their bone conduction headphones. 🎧 🎶
These headphones not only deliver high quality sound, but also enhance your situational awareness, allowing you to stay connected to your surroundings.
Unlike traditional headphones, these headphones sit outside the ear, making them an ideal choice for extended use, especially if you find typical in-ear headphones uncomfortable for long periods. ( 🙋🏻♀️ as someone with small ear canals, traditional headphones tend to get uncomfortable for me after about 30 minutes)
How They Work: Sound is transmitted through the zygomatic process, your cheekbone, bypassing the eardrum via vibrations.
Considerations:
(1) They may be especially useful for individuals with damaged eardrums, but a healthy cochlea
(2) These headphones are best suited for those who enjoy solo activities like running, biking, hiking, or swimming. (For instance, my dad should get a pair so that he can listen to music but also hear oncoming cars when biking through the streets of south Florida!!)
(3) In noisier environments, such as a bustling coffee shop or gym, sticking to your typical headphones might be a more practical choice
(4) Prices range from $80 to $180, with water-resistant or waterproof options, depending on the specific product you choose
(5) While the size guide was quite helpful, both (1) the Mini and (2) Standard sizes have an extended portion that wraps around the base of your skull that I wish was adjustable. Despite this feature, I’ve found that the headphones stay in place no matter how much jumping, dancing, jostling, and head banging I do (trust me, I tried)
*These photos feature the OPENRUN PRO in the mini size, and I found them to be remarkably lightweight, easy to connect to my phone, and indeed quite comfortable.
After getting caught in a winter storm, it's safe to say they work well in wet environments.
Feel free to check them out using the links below!
Social media: @shokzusa
Website: https://shokz.com/
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