Bone Conduction Headphones

[donjehle]

I read this article https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-bone-conduction-headphones/ on bone conduction headphones last month, and I have been meaning to post it here and see if anyone has tried any of them for acoustic neuromas.  The article was speaking of using them more for safety while exercising.  But I'm wondering if a bone conduction headphone could allow those of us with single-sided deafness to hear better while listening to music, podcasts, etc.?  Any thoughts?

[carriekartman]

Hi Don,

My hearing is totally gone on the AN side. I'm 2 weeks post fractionated radiation treatments, and dealing with fatigue, more dizziness and balance problems, but it's incrementally getting better.  I just met with my ENT who referred me to audiology, with recommendation to either "do nothing" or try one of several bone conduction aids, which I will definitely try. ADHear is one, Ponto from Oticon Medical is another, and Cochlear.com BAHA system is another. My brother, who has no hearing loss, using over the counter ones for swimming and bike races and says the sound quality is excellent. I'm unsure what it will be like however, to have the good side taking in sound from both sides. . but want to try it out. If others already have tried any of these, I'd love to hear about it.

Carrie

[donjehle]

Please let me know, Carrie, if you try any of them and what you think of them.

Thanks,
Don

[popularcampus]

I have a little hearing problem, using Shokz OpenRun Pro and Philips Go A7607. I personally prefer using the Philips Go A7607 because it's quite convenient and the sound is super smooth, without being shrill.

[carriekartman]

Hi Don,

The Adhear was terrible. I used it for less than 24 hours. It made little difference in my hearing, and left me wiht a sore area where it attached for several days. I'm sad I wasted 6 weeks waiting to try it. I've since learned on a BAHA Facebook group, that everyone says the same thing about it; utterly out of date and not much help with hearing. I will try the BAHA "softband" next, though that same community warns that it is no where as good as the real BAHA implant. I'm using a Cros system now, which is so so.

[donjehle]

Thank you, both, for your replies.  I tried one of the Shokz one, and it was okay, but I got tired of charging it all the time.

[carriekartman]

Don, Have you noticed any increase in tinnitus since using the Cros? I'm worried about the bluetooth signal for so many hours per day. My tinnitus has gotten much worse, and I've only had a Cros for a couple of weeks, so there may be no correlation; I'm just looking for any ideas. Thanks.

[donjehle]

Hi. Carrie!

Like you, I was very concerned about the Bluetooth signal.  And I expressed my concerns to my audiologist. I told her, "You might think I'm crazy, and I know everyone says Bluetooth is safe, but I don't want to take the risk of any damage to my brain from EMF or Bluetooth sources."  So, she listened to my concerns and told me that she was going to recommend a CROS unit where I can turn off the Bluetooth.

I replied, "If I turn off the Bluetooth, will the device still work?" And she said that it did, but it would not connect to my phone app, TV, etc , but it still would send the audio from the transmitter to my receiver in my good ear. To which I replied, "I don't want any EMF going through my brain."   She said that the model she was recommending did not penetrate the brain, but used bone conduction and traveled on the outside of the skull. I was very skeptical, but when I read the claims of the manufacturer, they said the same thing.

When I charge my CROS system overnight, the charger automatically turns the Bluetooth back on. So, every morning, I turn the Bluetooth off, and it stays off until I put it back on the charger.

So, I was very firm with my audiologist on what I wanted and didn't want, and she listened to my concerns to match my expressed needs. And I have not noticed any worsening of my tinnitus or my hearing. I purposely didn't list my model here because I'm not trying to promote any brand, and there are newer and better units which have come on the market since I purchased mine. But I hope my experience is helpful for you.

Best wishes on your continued journey!
Don