Tinnitus can be a very uncomfortable condition, making it harder for you to hear things clearly. Because of this, it’s common for people who have tinnitus to turn a range of devices to help them overcome the condition, so are bone conduction headphones good for tinnitus?
Bone conduction headphones providing relief for tinnitus
For some forms of tinnitus, bone conduction headphones might be an effective way of providing relief. In most cases, this type of headphone is unlikely to make the condition any worse. Because of this, they are often a safe option for tinnitus sufferers to explore.
Bone conduction headphones are very different from the conventional headphones on the market. So, what makes them unique and how do they impact your hearing?
Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about bone conduction headphones.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often characterized by a phantom noise, which only you can hear. For example, it’s most commonly known as ringing in your ears. However, it might also manifest as a buzzing, clicking, or roaring noise.
There are many different ways that someone can be affected by tinnitus. Depending on the severity of the condition, it could be present constantly, or come and go sporadically. In severe cases, the constant ringing in your ears can make it harder for you to focus on the current events.
There are generally two different types of tinnitus. The first is tinnitus which only the person with the condition can hear. This is known as subjective tinnitus.
However, there are some times when the doctor might also be able to hear the noise. This is called objective tinnitus.
The type of tinnitus that you have can partly explain the reason why the condition might have developed. For example, subjective tinnitus is often caused by things like prolonged exposure to loud noises. For those with objective tinnitus, the issue is likely caused by a problem with a blood vessel.
Tinnitus is fairly common, affecting around 15 percent of the population. Often, if handled properly, you might be able to treat the condition or ease its effects.
Once you start to develop symptoms associated with tinnitus, you should make sure to contact a health professional.
This is especially important when the ringing in your ears is starting to impair your sense of balance. Another big problem might occur when tinnitus starts to cause hearing loss.
What Causes Tinnitus?
There are many reasons why you might develop tinnitus. For example, it’s common for loud noises to cause the condition. In other cases, it might be linked to certain medications.
Though there are several factors that might contribute to tinnitus, the most common cause is prolonged exposure to loud music.
This can result in damage to the ear. There are many ways that this can occur. For example, you might stand next to the speakers at a concert, or not wear ear protection when using gardening equipment.
In rare cases, medication might make existing conditions, like tinnitus worse. If you suspect that this might be the case, you should talk to your doctor. In most cases, they can try a different drug, to see if it alleviates the symptoms.
Can Bone Conduction Headphones Cause Tinnitus?
Bone conduction headphones won’t have any impact on whether or not you develop tinnitus. Instead, the way that you use them will impact your potential risk.
Because of this, in the clear majority of cases, you’ll be able to use bone conduction headphones without any increased risk of hearing damage.
Before we can start to discuss the risks associated with bone conduction headphones, we need to understand how this technology works.
Bone conduction headphones technology
When using a bone conduction headphone, the noise is transmitted through the bone directly to the cochlear, which transforms the waves into sound.
This works differently to a traditional headphone, which goes through the auditory canal, into the eardrum, then into the cochlear.
Because of this, when using a bone conduction headphones, you’ll be able to listen to background noise. Due to this, these headphones have been used extensively by the police forces and military.
Though bone conduction headphones might seem like a new invention, they have been around since the 70s. Though this time, the technology has evolved, and they are now cost-effective, making them freely available.
These headphones don’t have any impact on the risk that you will develop tinnitus. Instead, the way that you use the headphones continues to play a big role in determining your risk level.
For example, if you play loud music for a long time, you might be placing yourself at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Can You Use Headphones if You Have Tinnitus?
Whether you’ll be able to use headphones can depend on the type of tinnitus that you have. However, most people, will be able to continue to use headphones.
Whether or not you should use headphones might depend on the type of tinnitus you have. For example, if you have noise-induced tinnitus, caused by loud noises, you might not be able to use any type of headphones.
As a general rule, people who have tinnitus will be able to use headphones. The key is making sure that the music isn’t played too loud for too long, as this is likely to damage your ears.
In fact, headphones might be able to help people with tinnitus, making it easier for them to hear sounds clearly. For example, some people might combat the effects of hearing loss, by using a hearing aid.
These techniques can be especially effective when combined with a technique like sound therapy. This uses headphones to play particular noises. In some cases, this has been able to eliminate the tinnitus altogether, at least for a while.
However, if you are unsure about whether you should use headphones, you should make sure to consult a healthcare professional. They will be able to tell you how to avoid making your tinnitus worse.
How Can You Manage Tinnitus?
If you are unable to cure tinnitus, you will need to find a way to treat it effectively. The best way to do this is to try to stick to a normal routine, rather than constantly monitoring the volume of the tinnitus. You shouldn’t let this condition stop you from doing the things that you enjoy.
There are many ways that you will be able to cope with tinnitus. However, the best strategy is to prevent it from dominating your life. If possible, try to stick to a normal routine, rather than obsessing about its effects.
You should also talk to your doctor about your condition. If your hearing is starting to be impacted, you might want to discuss the possibility of wearing headphones or a hearing aid.
Final Thoughts
Tinnitus can be a very challenging condition, causing ringing in the ears. Wearing bone conductive headphones won’t increase your chances of developing tinnitus.
In most cases, wearing headphones can help some people overcome the condition, making noises clearer, so they can focus on the world around them.
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source: https://headphoneuniversity.com/are-bone-conduction-headphones-good-for-tinnitus/
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