Several navigation apps we recommend for people with vision impairment use audio narration to give directions or to describe scenes and points of interest. So, which headphones should you use while operating these apps outside your home? This page explores different headphone types, safety and awareness, and handy gesture shortcuts.
Discover our guide to the best accessible apps for people with a visual impairment, including apps for reading, navigating and identifying.
If you are looking for tailored and unbiased recommendations on products and apps that can help you with your daily activities and more, try the Tech selector which will help you filter products as per your needs.
Guide Dogs is committed to integrating technology into our service delivery and promoting excellence in accessibility and usability. Our staff undergo comprehensive training in technology and accessibility in collaboration with industry leaders like Apple. We foster knowledge of technology and create content through our Technology Champions, comprising Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists. We review this content periodically to ensure that it is up to date and includes new features and changes with operating systems. We work with our partners to ensure accessibility is at the centre of the design. To find out more, there is more information in our accessibility policy.
Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites and third-party applications which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.
When travelling independently, it’s essential that you’re aware of your environment and surroundings. This awareness can be impacted when using headphones, particularly over-ear or inner-ear models. Guide Dogs recommends using open-ear headphones so you can still hear changes to your environment, such as traffic, while using technologies to support and enhance your independent mobility.
Using technology for navigation should support and enhance your skills, not replace them. Ensure that any additional information provided by technologies – and the concentration required to use the technology – doesn’t impact your core orientation and mobility skills.
It’s your responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your guide dog – keep this in mind when you’re deciding whether to wear headphones when you’re out and about with them. You should always have a strong awareness of your surroundings, particularly when you’re walking near to or crossing a road.
Before you think about factors such as the brand, comfort level, or technical specifications, you’ll need to decide which type of headphone you’d like.
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In this video, Sam, who has a vision impairment, navigates new routes with the help of assistive technology, Shokz bone-conducting headphones, and his guide dog Henri.
Although all the following headphones are classified as ‘open-ear’, keep in mind that it’s only bone-conducting headphones, neck headphones, or audio glasses that leave your ear completely open to hear your surroundings.
Shokz offer a variety of open-ear headphones that use bone conduction to transmit sound to your ear.
These headphones are air-conducting, so they act as small but powerful speakers that sit close to your ear canal. Users report that the sound quality is good and the battery life is excellent. This model is water resistant.
Olodance offer a range of air-conducting headphones that are reported to have an impressive battery life, good water resistance, and minimal sound leakage.
Airpods and Airpods Pro by Apple offer five hours and six hours of listening time respectively, but the charging case gives you up to 30 hours extra listening time. The advantage of the Pro model is that the charging case is MagSafe (a magnetic technology that allows for wireless charging and attaching accessories to Apple devices), whereas you have to manually plug in the Airpods’ charging case. Both models are described as dust, sweat, and water resistant.
Aside from the method of charging, the main difference between the models is that Airpods Pro offer noise cancellation. However, we strongly advise against using this feature when using Airpods when you’re walking because it’ll decrease the level of ambient noise you hear, meaning you’ll be less aware of your surroundings. The Pro model does have a Transparency Mode which allows you to hear outside noise, but some users report a small lag.
Since the introduction of the iOS 18 software update, AirPods Pro can now be used as over-the-counter hearing aids, offering features like Live Listen. This uses the microphone in your iPhone to send audio to your AirPods, which could help you hear better in noisy environments.
Neck headphones are starting to crop up in the headphone market. While they offer a true open-ear headphone experience, they might not be ideal for sport or private listening.
Sony offer a small range of wireless neckband speakers that vary in price and size. BRAVIA Theatre U is the larger, more expensive model and is optimised for gaming and a cinema-like experience. The SRS-NB10 is the more affordable and more compact model that’s designed for working from home.
Smart glasses (internet enabled glasses with built-in wireless audio) are another open-ear audio option. Although they’re technically not headphones, they’re still a great choice if you want to listen to navigation apps while you’re out and about.
Headphones are a great investment for navigational purposes, but they can be used for much more. Before you choose a pair of headphones, it’s worth considering other activities you enjoy and getting a pair that suits those, too.
Other things to consider before choosing a pair of headphones:
Many modern headphones allow you to control the audio using gestures – this is handy as it means you don’t need to use your phone to adjust the volume, answer a call, or skip a song. Different headphones will require different gestures to perform the same function. For example, Olodance headphones usually require a squeezing action, whereas Apple Airpods use a tapping action.
If you’d like some support in using one of these products, speak to your Habilitation Specialist, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist or call Guide Line on 0800 781 1444 and someone will be happy to assist you.
Wired headphones are the simplest and most budget-friendly option available. The fact that they plug into your phone means that you don’t need to charge them or worry about connecting them to your phone through Bluetooth. Make sure that your phone has a headphone jack, as not all phones do, and this is generally being phased out of newer phones.