| What we think of typically as sound consists of | | | | Bone conduction technology type swimming |
| vibrations in the air reaching our ears. But there are a | | | | headphones can work exceptionally well for listening to |
| couple of obstacles that get in the way when we | | | | music or podcasts while you are in the water. But like |
| want to make headphones that work underwater. | | | | all good things, there are still a few problems. |
| You would think that just using waterproofing material | | | | Hearing, either in the air or in the water, through bone |
| to made a set of ear buds would work. But the way | | | | conduction is quite a bit less efficient than normal |
| we hear is actually more complicated. | | | | hearing in the air. While bone conduction is still a very |
| There are two ways in which we hear things in the | | | | workable method of hearing while in the water, there |
| open air. The main method is that the sound waves in | | | | may be problems with getting adequate volume from |
| the air vibrate on our eardrums and the inner ear and | | | | your waterproof mp3 player. |
| the brain converts these signals to what we think of | | | | Many people report excellent results with the bone |
| as sound. But we also 'feel' the sound wave vibrations | | | | conduction technology and love being able to take their |
| in our bones. Especially the bones in our skull. And | | | | waterproof headphones anywhere in or under the |
| these also add to the quality of sound we hear. | | | | water. But there are also some who report that they |
| The first type of hearing, sound waves vibrating on our | | | | must have their player at the highest volume which in |
| inner ears and eardrums, doesn't work when we are | | | | turn reduces battery time. More volume is needed |
| underwater. The water in our ears stops the eardrum | | | | since hearing by bone conduction is less efficient. |
| and inner ear from being able to vibrate the same | | | | Bone conduction technology will continue to improve. |
| way it does in the air. Therefore, this part of our | | | | We are at the point where there are many very |
| hearing is greatly diminished unless we come up with a | | | | workable and quality products on the market. And |
| way to to keep the ear buds and our inner ears dry | | | | these will undoubtedly improve through time. |
| underwater. Some swimming headphones use this | | | | By doing some checking and keeping up to date on |
| method with special gaskets that keep all the water | | | | the latest offerings and models, you'll find that you will |
| out. This is quite effective, but usually a bit | | | | be able to find a very affordable and workable solution |
| cumbersome to wear. | | | | that will enable you to jump in the pool with your |
| Many waterproof headphone manufacturers use a | | | | waterproof mp3 player and your swimming |
| new upcoming method called bone conduction to | | | | headphones blissfully listening to your favorite tunes |
| enable us to hear while underwater. | | | | without giving it a thought. |