While many people associate assistive technology with specialized devices that are expensive or hard to find, many mainstream technology devices have started supporting accessibility features and built-in assistive technology that can make specialty tools more financially and publicly accessible for all. Peripheral accessories like headphones enable users to customize how and when they access information through auditory modalities, and are an essential part of workflows that involve audio access. Here are features to consider when choosing headphones for users with vision loss, as part of my ongoing Mainstream Technology and Low Vision post series.
Identify how the headphones will be used
Before choosing headphones for visually impaired users, it is important to consider when, where, and how the headphones will be used, as well as how they will be stored when not in use. For example, choosing a pair of headphones for listening to music or audiobooks with immersive audio may require different considerations compared to choosing headphones that can be used for following along with a screen reader at school or work, or choosing headphones that can be used outside. Knowing what device(s) the headphones will be used with is important as well to ensure they will be compatible with the device.
The portability of the headphones can also affect potential storage options. Small earbuds may need a carrying case to keep them from getting misplaced that provide an auditory or tactile indicator to confirm the case is closed (like a ridge or a clicking noise), while large headphones may need a protective case or stand to protect them from damage.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Smartphones
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Computers
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Tablets
- Choosing A Phone Case With Low Vision
Headphone styles
In-ear headphones (commonly known as earbuds) are designed to fit inside of the ear canal and provide a portable option for high quality sound while blocking out background noise. In-ear headphones may be used with a wireless or wired connection depending on the model, and are frequently made with materials like rubber, silicone, or foam. Visually impaired users may choose to wear one earbud instead of two so they can listen to a screen reader or text-to-speech without completely blocking out their surroundings.
Over-the-ear headphones feature large ear cups that are designed to fit over the entire ear, surrounding the ear with padded foam cushions that are attached to an adjustable headband. Over-the-ear headphones often feature higher sound quality than in-ear headphones and additional noise cancelling properties, though are less portable due to their larger size. Over-the-ear headphones may be preferred for immersive audio experiences like listening to audiobooks or playing video games.
Related links
- Audio Games For Blind/Low Vision Gamers
- Audio and Nonvisual Entertainment Ideas For Blind and Low Vision
- Streaming Audio Description For Performing Arts Videos
Sound leakage
Do you hear what I hear? Sound leakage or sound bleeding occurs when sound from the headphones “escapes” and is audible to others in the surrounding area, not just the person wearing headphones. While there are no headphones that are 100% immune from sound leakage, leakage may be more distracting in classroom environments or shared workspaces, especially if the sound volume is high; this can also have an impact on user privacy if others can hear their audio. This may be more prevalent with on-ear headphones that do not surround the ear or that have thinner material, which are not ideal for visually impaired users.
Open ear designs
Open ear headphones provide users with the option to listen to audio content from their headphones while still being able to hear their surroundings. Air conduction and bone conduction headphones are both examples of open ear design, with the primary difference being that bone conduction designs do not rely on the eardrums and instead transmit sound directly to the inner ear through vibrations of the cheek or jaw bones. Bone conduction headphones may have lower sound leakage compared to other open ear designs.
Open ear designs may be ideal for classrooms, meetings, or other group collaboration activities where the user doesn’t want to block out sound in their environment, but may have lower sound quality compared to closed-ear designs. The trade-off in sound quality may be reasonable for users that want to balance listening to a screen reader or other audio content while maintaining awareness of their surroundings or listening to someone talking.
Headphone colors
For users with low vision, the color of headphones may also play a role in choosing the right pair. When possible, choose a pair with a high-contrast color that stands out against common surfaces such as a desk or inside of a backpack so that the headphones can be located easily. If there are several people in a group that have similar looking headphones, add distinguishing markings, colors, or labels so that the user can identify which headphones are theirs.
Related links
Comfort and fit
When choosing headphones for low vision or blind users, it’s important that the user has the opportunity to try on the headphones and provide feedback on the materials, fit, and comfort level. Involving the end user in the selection process reduces the likelihood of device abandonment and ensures that the selected headphones can be worn comfortably for extended periods of time. This may include having the user try on headphones by wearing them for several minutes and trying them on while moving around or standing/sitting in different positions.
Examples of characteristics that can impact the comfort level of headphones include:
- Clamping force of the headband, which can be adjusted if it feels too tight/too loose
- Headband size (some models have multiple sizes)
- Padding
- Ear pad/ear cup materials and thickness
- Size of earpads/ear cups
- Placement of headband on head
- Padding around temples
Glasses can also play a significant role in headphone fit and comfort, especially since more rigid headphone materials may create gaps in the area surrounding the eyeglass frames. Thick earpads that surround the ear may provide a better fit and cushioning for wearing glasses with headphones and avoiding sound leakage.
Wired vs wireless headphones
Wired headphones may provide a higher sound quality and reduced audio latency (delay in transmitting audio), though users may have less freedom of motion since the headphones are “tethered” to the device they are connected to. Wireless headphones provide more freedom of movement due to fewer cables and connect to multiple devices automatically but may have lower sound quality and higher latency due to the delay in transmitting audio. This latency may not be an issue when listening to music but can be frustrating for screen reader power users who experience delays when interacting with content at a high speech rate.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
Accessible controls
Accessible headphone controls may feature tactile buttons or auditory cues to assist users with adjusting audio settings like volume or operating other device features. Again, it’s important to ensure that the user can operate these controls independently, especially for headphones that also have a microphone built in.
Another option to consider is the availability of Multipoint Bluetooth for wireless headphones, which can be paired with multiple devices and switch automatically depending on which device is in use. This can make it easier to switch between devices, such as a computer and a phone, without having to manually disconnect or pair the headphones with another device. Multipoint Bluetooth is different from shared audio, which can connect two pairs of headphones to one device for listening to the same audio simultaneously.
Battery life
While this isn’t an issue with wired headphones, battery life is an important consideration for wireless headphones. Users should take into consideration how often the device will need to be charged and how they will charge it during the day if their device’s battery does not accommodate for a full day’s worth of use- having a backup pair of headphones may also be helpful to have in case the other pair needs to be charged unexpectedly.
Summary of features to consider when buying headphones with low vision
- Identify when, where, and how the headphones will be used, as well as how they will be stored when not in use. Ensure the headphones are compatible with the device(s) they will be used with.
- Preference for headphones style. In-ear headphones fit inside of the ear canal, and users can choose to wear only one earbud. Over-the-ear headphones surround the entire ear and may provide higher sound quality.
- The level of sound leakage. While no headphones are 100% leakproof, users should assess how much sound “leaks” from their headphones into the surrounding area, which can be distracting or reduce privacy.
- Consider open-ear designs, which can provide users with the option to listen to their surroundings and headphone audio simultaneously.
- For low vision users, headphone colors may play a role in locating and organizing headphones.
- Ensure that users have the opportunity to try on headphones and provide feedback on adjustments. Examples of characteristics that can impact the comfort level include clamping force, padding, size of headphone components, materials, and placement on head.
- Connection options include wired headphones that connect directly to the device and provide lower audio latency or wireless headphones that provide more freedom of movement, though with some increase in latency. Latency is a significant factor to consider for screen reader power users who have a high speech rate
- Accessible controls ensure that users can operate headphones and adjust settings independently with tactile and/or audio cues. They can also assist with connecting a set of headphones to multiple devices
- When purchasing wireless headphones, consider the battery life and make plans for how the device will be charge. Having a pair of hack-up headphones may also be helpful for users who primarily access information in audio formats.
Published October 27, 2023. Updated August 2024