If you're considering purchasing Bluetooth audio glasses, you may have heard of air conduction and bone conduction technologies, but what is the difference between them? VocalSkull is a brand specializing in bone conduction glasses and is here to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
In this blog post, we will explore the unique features and benefits of air conduction and bone conduction technologies. From sound quality to comfort, we will cover everything you need to know to choose the technology that suits your needs.
Differences between Air Conduction and Bone Conduction
We see air conduction audio products everyday, whether in-ear headphones or over-the-head headphones; they all work by transmitting sound through the eardrum via air vibrations. Bone conduction, on the other hand, is different; it is a method of transmitting sound that bypasses the outer and middle ear, directly stimulating the inner ear using the vibrations of the skull. When sound waves enter the skull, they create vibrations, stimulating the hair cells in the inner ear and generating electrical impulses interpreted by the brain as sound. Simply put, bone conduction doesn't require sound to pass through the eardrum, relying on the vibration of audio product sensors, with signals directly reaching the auditory nerve after passing through the cochlea.
Pros and Cons of Bone Conduction
Bone conduction technology is commonly used in glasses and headphones. You may have heard that bone conduction, due to its unique sound transmission method, has slightly weaker sound quality in terms of detail, but this does not affect overall listening enjoyment.
However, that is only part of the story. Shokz is one of the few brands that focus on bone conduction products, offering some of the best bone conduction headphones on the market. Despite using bone conduction technology, their audio quality still surpasses many other Bluetooth headphones using air conduction speakers.
As a brand that started selling bone conduction glasses in 2017, VocalSkull has accumulated over six years of experience in the development of bone conduction technology. Their bone conduction sports sunglasses have sound quality on par with Shokz bone conduction headphones and other air conduction headphones.
Compared to headphones, glasses have limited space for speaker placement. Bone conduction transducers need to be small enough to fit the arms of the glasses while still providing sufficient vibration to transmit sound effectively. VocalSkull has achieved this feat with their new bone conduction sports sunglasses.
Bone conduction glasses offer a unique way to enjoy audio while keeping your ears open to the surrounding environment. Unlike air conduction glasses, bone conduction technology sends sound waves directly through your skull to your inner ear, bypassing the eardrum. This means you can listen to music, podcasts, or make phone calls without blocking out important ambient sounds.
Bone conduction glasses are also perfect for outdoor activities such as running, cycling, or hiking, as they allow you to listen to music or take phone calls without compromising your awareness of your surroundings. For those who wear prescription glasses or sunglasses, bone conduction glasses can easily be fitted with prescription lenses or sunglasses.
Everyday Hearing Damage
According to the World Health Organization, over 5% of the world's population (about 430 million) has hearing loss. By 2050, nearly a quarter of the population (2.5 billion) is expected to have some degree of hearing loss. Whether you are immersed in music, passing through noisy streets, or working in a noisy environment, everyday sounds can gradually affect your life and damage your hearing. Don't ignore the sounds you hear daily; your ears need more protection than you might think, even if you believe your hearing is fine.
One significant advantage of bone conduction glasses is their usefulness for individuals who need hearing aids. For those with conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness, bone conduction glasses can provide sounds that traditional hearing aids cannot. For the general population, using a more efficient way to protect both eyes and ears simultaneously makes these "two-in-one" glasses an attractive option.
What do you think?
Both air conduction and bone conduction technologies can provide high-quality audio. While bone conduction glasses might be a better choice for those who need hearing aids, air conduction glasses offer a wider range of styles to choose from. What is your preference? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.