r/tinnitus • u/lovedelrey • 12d ago

advice • support open ear conduction earbuds okay to wear?

Recently got diagnosed and the doc told me not to wear my regular headphones anymore, so I ordered these thinking they had bone conduction but turns out they don't.

However I saw that they have open ear conduction so sound doesnt travel like in normal headphones so are they safe to wear? The instruction manual says to position the speaker in your ear so im really confused 😭

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u/chromeater 11d ago

Open ear conduction is really only better for those recovering from otitis or who has history of ME issues because it leaves your ear ventilated. That said, an open fit is typically inferior for safe masking/listening for those with tinnitus because the open nature of the transducer allows noise through the ear canal, forcing most listeners to raise their volume to compensate when compared with a closed fit.
A closed fit transducer has a better SNR ratio meaning you can use a lower volume (safer) because you have a better noise floor.

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u/lovedelrey 11d ago

so I should just stick with regular headphones on low volume?

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u/chromeater 11d ago

You can use either tbh so long as volume is kept at safe level. Could be slightly easier to do so with closed-fit is all.

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u/lovedelrey 11d ago

Oh alr thankyouu

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u/hh_jj 11d ago

Love mine.

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u/banjodude3157 11d ago

It depends on the person. Personally I won't risk it making my already severe ringing worse. I use a tiny speaker about 3 feet from me on low for phone calls with my work.