To wear open swim headphones, you position them securely behind the back of your neck, with the earhooks fitting over your ears and the transducers resting in front of your ears. This unique design ensures comfort and allows for environmental awareness, crucial for activities like swimming.
How to Properly Wear Your Open Swim Headphones
Wearing open swim headphones, often featuring bone conduction technology, is straightforward and designed for a secure, comfortable fit, especially during active use in water. Follow these simple steps:
- Pick Up the Headphones: Hold the headphones with both hands.
- Position Behind Your Neck: Bring the flexible band or frame of the headphones behind the back of the base of your neck. This is the primary support point.
- Place Earhooks on Ears: Once the band is behind your neck, gently position the earhooks over your ears. They should rest comfortably and securely.
- Align Transducers: The transducers, which produce the sound, should rest in front of your ears, specifically on your cheekbones, just forward of your ear canal. They do not go into your ears.
- Enjoy Your Music: With the headphones properly positioned, you are ready to enjoy your music while swimming or engaging in other activities.
Key Steps for Wearing Open Swim Headphones
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Orient | Pick up the headphones, ensuring the earhooks and transducers are facing the correct way to wrap around your head. |
| 2. Place | Bring them behind the back of the base of your neck. This provides the stable anchor for the headphones. |
| 3. Secure | Position the earhooks on your ears. They should sit comfortably without pinching or feeling too loose. |
| 4. Align | Ensure the transducers should rest in front of your ears, sitting on your cheekbones. This is where the bone conduction technology transmits sound effectively. |
| 5. Enjoy | Make any minor adjustments for comfort and fit, then enjoy your music while maintaining situational awareness. |
Understanding the Open-Ear Design
Open swim headphones utilize bone conduction technology, which differs significantly from traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones. Instead of sending sound waves through your eardrums, they transmit vibrations directly to your cheekbones, bypassing the outer and middle ear. This allows your ear canals to remain open, offering several benefits:
- Situational Awareness: You can hear your music and ambient sounds (e.g., lifeguard instructions, other swimmers) simultaneously, enhancing safety.
- Hygiene & Comfort: No earbuds are inserted into your ear canal, reducing the risk of ear infections and providing a more comfortable experience, especially during long swims.
- Water Safety: The design is often waterproof, making them ideal for use in pools, lakes, or the ocean.
Tips for Optimal Fit and Performance
- Adjust for Snugness: While designed for a universal fit, some models might have slight flexibility. Ensure the band feels snug enough to keep the transducers in contact with your cheekbones, but not so tight that it causes discomfort.
- Wear with Goggles and Caps: Open swim headphones are designed to be compatible with swim goggles and swim caps. Typically, you'd put on the headphones first, then your goggles (with the strap over the headphone band), and finally your swim cap if you use one.
- Clean Regularly: After each use, especially in chlorinated or saltwater, rinse your headphones with fresh water to prevent damage and maintain longevity.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure a secure, comfortable, and effective listening experience with your open swim headphones.
