Headphones for Midlife Neurodivergent Women: Focus, Calm, and Travel

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I Wear My Headphones in the Shower…

Why? Because showers are soooo boring. My ADHD brain needs something to do! Gimme entertainment!

I added a little stick-on shelf for a tablet and now I can watch shows or YouTube while I shampoo. I wear Shokz OpenSwim Pro bone-conduction, open-ear headphones and let my brain become a media-consuming, happy camper while I do the (yawn) routine.


Note: Shokz says not to use their headphones in the shower—even the OpenSwims (despite their “waterproof to 2m” claim). While I’ve done it for years, it’s at your own risk.

Why Open-Ear Works for Me

My OpenSwims live on my head from wake to wind-down. I love these things like Hot, Damn, and Butter.

They’re light (27.3 g) and don’t put pressure on my ears, though even normal glasses frames bother me. If I notice them at all, a tiny nudge fixes it.

I listen to podcasts or shows most of the day and they almost never die on me; a 10-minute charge adds ~3 hours. They’re one of my favorite tech purchases EVAH.

I also use the Shokz OpenComm for client calls (the mic boom has gnaw marks from my cats X-D). and I’ve happily owned the OpenRun and OpenRun Pro. For volume in the shower, only the OpenSwim and regular OpenRun (not Pro) get loud enough for me. As for sizes, I can wear either the Mini (fits better under a riding helmet) or Standard (doesn't have to sit under my head when lying down).

I’ve tried many cheaper bone-conduction brands but always return to my trusty Shokz. For me, the easy Shokz controls + sound win.

Black over-ear noise-canceling headphones on a wooden desk with two neon-green foam earplugs in soft natural light.

When I Need Serious Quiet

Open-ear headphones are designed for situational awareness — great for safety, not great for blocking noise. My office’s floor A/C is right behind my desk chair and could rival a jet engine.

Enter my backup tools:

  • Howard Leight Max Lite earplugs (bright green) — worn every night for spousal snoring and can combat much of that A/C roar. But my favorite battle weapon:

  • Bose over-ear noise-canceling — simply blissful on planes and in loud rooms.

I loved my old Bose QC15s for years, and they still cancel like champs — but argh, they’re wired, and phones have moved on from physical audio connections.

So, on Prime Day I grabbed the current Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth headphones on sale. They fit my small head (6½ hat size) and don’t press down on my ears or squeeze my skull.

(Truth be told, I REALLY wanted the Bose QC Ultras, but at $450… well, they’re waiting for that day I win the lottery. Which I’m sure will be, oh, any minute now.)

For those times when the noise is loud enough to feel like a cheese grater on my nerves, I add earplugs under the Bose to create a lovely null zone of sound.

Chef's kiss.

Open suitcase on a cozy couch with folded clothes, over-ear headphones on the armrest, and a caramel scarf with a small crescent-moon pin; bone-conduction headphones rest on the suitcase.

The Travel Problem (and My Rule)

Over-ear headphones are still… big. I hate sacrificing space in my underseat bag, even though airplanes are exactly what ANC is made for.

My rule of thumb:

  • Carry-on only? Shokz + earplugs. I play river or ocean sounds and get me ~90% of the relief from the Bose at a fraction of the bulk.

  • Room to spare? Bose and Shokz. ('Cause the Bose still can’t go in the shower, y’all.)

Also-Rans I've Tried (YMMV)

  • Bose QC20 (wired NC earbuds). Compact and decent, but not as effective as over-ear ANC; wired + less comfy on my sensitive ear skin.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 2. If in-ear buds don’t irritate you, they’re a strong everyday option with decent noise cancelling ability. Personally, I’d use some sort of pods leash or I'd lose one at some point and my cats would play hockey with it.

  • NANK Runner Diver2 Pro Bone Conduction. They're marketed as noise-canceling, but to me, the canceling didn't seem to do much (though cyclists might feel differently).

Quick Cheat Sheet: Which Type When?

  • Open-ear / bone-conduction (Shokz): ADHD focus, task-pairing, soothing background sounds, safety, all-day comfort, shower time (with risk caveat).

  • Over-ear ANC (Bose/Sony): flights, loud HVAC and other noisy environments, deep work.

  • In-ear buds: great if your ears tolerate them; small, versatile, easy to pack.

Over-ear headphones on an airplane tray table beside a small earplug case and a steaming cup; clouds and wing visible through the window.

The Last Word…

It's your brain, your ears, your day, and your travels, so get what helps you — from airy open-ears plus a favorite playlist to a full cocoon with earplugs + ANC.

Grab the right tool at the right time to keep you engaged when tasks are boring, soften loud spaces, or support your greatest travel adventures. (I hope you're planning a lot of those!)

Wheels up, (Trip)Witches. 🧙‍♀️ 🛫

P.S. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There's no cost to you and your clicks help this coven thrive — thank you! 🧹✨

Kate riding her horse along a gravel road in the Rocky Mountains on a sunny day, symbolizing freedom, exploration, and midlife journeys.

Hi there! I'm Kate, Chief Hexecutive of TripWitches.

If you're a midlife neurodivergent woman craving travel, adventure, and friendships with people who just get you & all your quirks and sparkle, you're in the right place. Welcome aboard. 🚢

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