Best Headphones for Tinnitus Sufferers : Bone Conduction Headphones

Are you suffering from tinnitus and are looking for a pair of headphones that’ll help you find some peace as you go about your regular, daily activities?

When considering the types of sound therapy for tinnitus masking, have you ever wondered if headphones are actually a safe option for tinnitus?

Well, there’s a unique type of headphones out there called bone conduction headphones that might be an excellent solution for you if you answered yes to either or both of these questions.

Bone conduction headphones can mask tinnitus sounds while still leaving the ears free and unblocked. Therefore, you can get tinnitus relief without having to shut out the sounds of the world around you.

They are great for office use to stay in tune with your coworkers, safe to use while driving, and are perfect for exercising, your daily commute to and from work, or even if you’re trying to relax at home and just want to find some peace from your tinnitus sounds.

Headphones for Tinnitus Sufferers at a Glance

My Pick: The Aftershokz Aeropex bone conduction headphones are the best quality bone conduction headphones overall.

AfterShokz Aeropex – Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones – Sweat Resistant Wireless Earphones for Workouts and Running – Built-in Mic
  • Open-Ear Design – Patented bone conduction headphones deliver premium audio through the cheekbone. Unlike over ear headphones, Aeropex keeps you connected and aware of your surroundings.
  • Lightweight & Comfortable – Experience unmatched comfort with our most lightweight and comfortable sport headset, featuring a bud-free, pain-free design for all-day listening.
  • Eight Hours of Music & Calls – Enjoy 8 continuous hours of music or podcasts, plus dual noise-canceling mics for crystal clear calls.
  • IP67 Waterproof Rating – Completely sweat and waterproof earphones for workouts, fitness and running. Moisture detection alert included for safe charging. (Not suitable for swimming). PremiumPitch 2.0+
  • Wireless Convenience – Easy multipoint Bluetooth pairing with iOS and Android Bluetooth-ready devices. Multifunction Button to play, pause, skip, activate voice assistant, answer calls, etc.with one click.

These headphones have two EQ settings for two different options for listening (more on this below), have the longest battery life, are lightweight and comfortable for all day wear, have the most enhanced sound technology the brand can offer, have faster Bluetooth pairing, and more (scroll down for the full review)

 

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Also Great: The Aftershokz Air bone conduction headphones provide excellent quality at a reasonable price.

AfterShokz Air Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Slate Grey
  • Rebranding Update – Aftershokz has been renamed as Shokz. Welcome to SHOKZ!
  • Open-Ear Design – Patented bone conduction technology delivers audio through the cheekbone, keeping you connected and aware of your surroundings.
  • Comfortable & Durable – Experience comfort with our wraparound titanium frame for a light and flexible design.
  • Multifunction Button – Easy controls to play, pause, skip, activate voice assistant, and answer calls
  • Sweatproof – IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust, and moisture. Perfect for withstanding even the rainiest runs.

Though these headphones have a shorter battery life, slower Bluetooth connectivity, and not the latest sound technology compared to the Aftershokz Aeropex, these are still a very good option.

 

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Earbuds for tinnitus sufferers

Also Great: The Aftershokz Titanium bone conduction headphones are great given their quality and price point.

Aftershokz Titanium Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Brilliant Reflective Strips, Slate Grey
  • Open-Ear Design – Patented bone conduction technology delivers audio through the cheekbone, keeping you connected and aware of your surroundings.
  • Secure & Comfortable – An open-ear design enables bud-free listening and a partial titanium frame keeps the headphones in place through any activity.
  • Sweatproof – IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust, and moisture. Perfect for withstanding even the rainiest runs.
  • 6-Hour Battery Life – 6 hours of continuous music and calls on a single charge.
  • Exclusive Safety Pack – Includes AfterShokz Titanium wireless bone conduction headphones and a pack of Brilliant Reflective Strips to ensure you stay aware and safe.

These headphones compare closely to the Aftershokz Air but are not as lightweight, making them less comfortable to wear all day.

They also lack a few other notable features in comparison (read more on this below).

 
 
 

 

Also Great: The Eken bone conduction headphones are a great quality pair of headphones for a lesser known brand and come at a slightly lower price compared to the Aftershokz Titanium headphones.

These headphones are designed for long term wear and have fast Bluetooth pairing.

 

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2

Tinnitus friendly headphones

Budget Pick: The Vidonn F1 Sports bone conduction headphones are an excellent budget option.

They provide the basics in terms of sound quality and bass, have fast Bluetooth connection, and a reliable battery life of 6 hours.

When considering Vidonn F1 vs Aftershokz, the Vidonn F1 headphones are not as good quality but come at a very affordable price.

Aftershokz Aeropex Bone Conduction

The Aftershokz Aeropex are the best-in-class when it comes to bone conduction headphones.

Let’s begin with my favorite feature of these headphones that I think is extraordinary if you have tinnitus.

These headphones have 2 EQ (or equalization, which is the balance between the frequencies in your music) presets for reduced vibration or boosted bass.

So what does this mean?

The EQ setting for reduced vibration allows for listening while wearing ear plugs, and the setting for boosted bass allows for better open ear listening.

The ear plug setting is great for when there’s high ambient noise around you—you can hear the audio better while blocking out the noise around you with ear plugs.

Noise cancelling headphones tinnitus

Also, the Aftershokz Aeropex have the longest battery life (reaching 8 hours) of all of the products I’ve reviewed here (these others have a battery life of 6 hours).

This gives you almost the whole day to play your music for tinnitus masking and even to to make phone calls in-between.

Another way the Aftershokz Aeropex headphones are perfect for all day listening has to do with the weight.

These are the lightest headphones of the ones reviewed here, making them extremely comfortable to wear all day.

Although light, the Aftershokz Aeropex do have a full wrap-around titanium band and frame for durability and stability.

The Aftershokz Aeropex additionally have the best audio quality that this brand can offer. With Premium Pitch 2.0+TM technology, these headphones have a more powerful, deeper bass and higher volume compared to the other Aftershokz headphones.

Bluetooth earbuds for tinnitus

Finally, the Aftershokz Aeropex headphones have one of the fastest Bluetooth pairing of the products here with Bluetooth 5.0 technology.

It boasts reliable connectivity up to 33 feet away. So if you’re moving around your home or office, you have a good amount of room to move without having to carry your phone or laptop (whatever you’re playing your music from) with you.

If you can believe it, the features of the Aftershokz Aeropex headphones don’t stop there. Here are some more:

  • Back-a-track control function (ability to skip back a track as well as forward)
  • Single, multifunction button to play, pause, skip, answer calls, and activate voice assistant
  • Less vibration that won’t disrupt your listening experience
  • Dual noise-canceling microphone to reduce the noise around you, so you can be heard better over the phone
  • IP67 rating makes them fully sweat and waterproof (however, they are not recommended for lap swimming)
  • Moisture detection alert feature

Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
Good for tinnitus masking Some report just average sound quality
Fast Bluetooth pairing with good wireless range Not great for noise-canceling unless worn with ear plugs
Long battery life and easy-to-use magnetic charger Some dislike magnetic charger
Enhanced, premium sound quality Don’t match bass of over-the-ear or in-ear standard headphones

What did people with tinnitus say about this product?

 

  • Work well to hear music and block out ringing
  • Good alternative to headphones that are not in-ear or over-the-ear
 
AfterShokz Aeropex – Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones – Sweat Resistant Wireless Earphones for Workouts and Running – Built-in Mic
  • Open-Ear Design – Patented bone conduction headphones deliver premium audio through the cheekbone. Unlike over ear headphones, Aeropex keeps you connected and aware of your surroundings.
  • Lightweight & Comfortable – Experience unmatched comfort with our most lightweight and comfortable sport headset, featuring a bud-free, pain-free design for all-day listening.
  • Eight Hours of Music & Calls – Enjoy 8 continuous hours of music or podcasts, plus dual noise-canceling mics for crystal clear calls.
  • IP67 Waterproof Rating – Completely sweat and waterproof earphones for workouts, fitness and running. Moisture detection alert included for safe charging. (Not suitable for swimming). PremiumPitch 2.0+
  • Wireless Convenience – Easy multipoint Bluetooth pairing with iOS and Android Bluetooth-ready devices. Multifunction Button to play, pause, skip, activate voice assistant, answer calls, etc.with one click.

 

Also Great: Aftershokz Air Bone Conduction Headphones

Aftershokz Air are the option for you if you’re looking for high-quality bone conduction headphones at a reasonable price.

Firstly, these headphones have the same two EQ settings as the Aftershokz Aeropex, giving you two options for listening: open-ear and listening with ear plugs.

The Aftershokz Air headphones also provide a solid battery life of 6 hours. It may not be 8 hours like the Aftershokz Aeropex, but you still get a decent amount of time during the day to play your music for tinnitus masking or listen to your favorite tinnitus relief app.

The Aftershokz Air headphones also have PremiumPitch+™ technology for a premium audio experience. While this is not the latest, re-engineered technology that the Aftershokz Aeropex have, these headphones still provide great quality sound.

These headphones are lightweight and flexible and are very comfortable if you plan to wear them all day.

The Aftershokz Air headphones have the next fastest Bluetooth pairing with Bluetooth 4.2 technology. Like the Aftershokz Aeropex, they have a wireless range of 33 feet.

Here are some other features of the Aftershokz Air bone conduction headphones:

  • Back-a-track control function (ability to skip back a track as well as forward)
  • Dual noise-canceling microphone
  • IP55 water-resistant (but note, not waterproof like the Aftershokz Aeropex), making them durable as they repel sweat, dust, and moisture

 

Pros and Cons 

Pros Cons
Can effectively listen to music while still hearing your surroundings Can vibrate if volume is cranked up too high
Very comfortable to wear Higher price
Stay on well Some reports that the fit can run too large
Great, quality sound  

What did people with tinnitus say about this product?

  • Can connect to phone via Bluetooth and listen to tinnitus relief app
  • Work great for streaming tinnitus relief app, are comfortable, and have good sound quality
  • Good option if you have tinnitus and don’t want to damage your hearing any further
  • Sound is comparable to good quality set of earbuds

 

Also Great: Aftershokz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones

The Aftershokz Titanium headphones are the best choice if you’re looking for quality you can trust provided by the Aftershokz brand at the lowest price.

Here are the key features of the Aftershokz Titanium headphones:

  • Same two EQ settings as the Aftershokz Aeropex and Aftershokz Air
  • Same PremiumPitch+™ as the Aftershokz Air
  • Titanium frame for stability and durability
  • Dual noise-canceling microphone
  • IP55 water-resistant (but note, not waterproof like the Aftershokz Aeropex), making them durable as they repel sweat, dust, and moisture
  • Bluetooth 4.1 technology for reliable connectivity and multipoint pairing

I should point out that these headphones are not as light in weight compared to the Aftershokz Aeropex and Aftershokz Air, which were designed to be lightweight for comfortable, all day wear.

 

Pros Cons
Good for tinnitus masking Some report shorter battery life
Doesn’t block hearing Difficult to wear if you wear your hair in a ponytail
Two EQ settings for two listening options Some report range connectivity issues
Reliable stability and durability Some report sound quality is just average

 

What did people with tinnitus say about this product?

  • Could hear clearly, even at the lowest volume setting
  • Great for masking tinnitus, including in the office (can still hear coworkers)
  • Good alternative to in-ear or over-the-ear headphones for tinnitus sufferers and those with tinnitus in addition to hearing loss
  • Good option for tinnitus sufferers to continue to listen to music throughout the day for tinnitus relief without having to shut out the world around them
  • Few report not effective for tinnitus

Also Great: Eken Bone Conduction Headphones

If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones but the Aftershokz headphones are a bit out of your price range, then the Eken bone conduction headphones are a good option for you.

Here are the key features of these headphones:

  • Long battery life that lets you play music for up to 6 hours
  • Very lightweight (25 g) that makes them comfortable to wear
  • Titanium band for stability and durability with a soft silicone patch closer to the head that makes them more comfortable to wear all day long
  • Faster Bluetooth pairing with Bluetooth 5.0 technology and a wireless range of 33 feet
  • IP54 waterproof (anti-sweat)

It should be noted that the sound quality of these headphones are not as good as what you get with the Aftershokz line of bone conduction headphones.

Pros Cons
Effective bone conduction technology that works well Sound is not high quality
Comfortable to wear while moving around Sound quality more like a personal speaker than earbuds
Easy to use button to switch between music and calls  
Less expensive  

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Budget Pick: Vidonn F1 Sports Bone Conduction Headphones

When considering Vidonn F1 vs Aftershokz, you’re sacrificing significant quality but getting a fairly low price.

The Vidonn F1 Sports headphones are a solid option if you’re looking to spend a lot less. Here are the key features:

  • 6 hour battery life to listen to music or take calls
  • Designed to produce more bass (however, it should be noted that some reviewers reported insufficient bass with these headphones)
  • Calls can be taken with CVC call noise reduction technology, so you can be heard better over the phone
  • Faster pairing with Bluetooth 5.0 technology
  • Simple operation function with only one button required to answer or reject phone calls, play or pause music, or switch songs
  • Comfortable, ergonomic design and secure fit, staying put around your ears even during physical activity
  • Frame made from ABS + titanium alloy, making these headphones lightweight but durable
  • Can be folded without getting damaged
  • Waterproof (resist light rain and sweat)

 

Pros Cons
Good sound quality Fit is too large
Hands-free calling, clear sound Pulls when moving neck
Good range with Bluetooth connection Bass is inadequate
Controls well-placed Sounds is good but not the best for bone conduction headphones

 

FAQs

Do headphones help with tinnitus?

Standard in-ear or over-the-ear headphones can actually make tinnitus sounds seem louder. This is because they block out external sounds that would otherwise mask your tinnitus sounds.

Unlike standard headphones, bone conduction headphones leave the ears unblocked. External sounds can still be heard with these headphones, so you can have the best of both worlds: tinnitus masking while still being able to listen to music.

Do headphones cause tinnitus?

Listening to anything through headphones with the volume too loud can cause hearing loss which can lead to tinnitus.

Also, because they fit so deeply within the ear, in-ear headphones are more likely to cause damage that lead to hearing loss and tinnitus compared to over-the-ear headphones.

Bone conduction headphones can be safer in this regard, since they don’t go inside your ear. However, it’s still important to not listen to anything at too high a volume with this type of headphone too.

What should I listen to for tinnitus?

For tinnitus masking, there are many options for what you can listen to: