As a co-founder, one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey is interacting with customers firsthand understanding their needs, answering their doubts, and introducing them to the future of healthy listening. Events like I-Connect @ ISB Hyderabad give me an incredible opportunity to not only showcase NG EarSafe’s innovative technology but also to educate people about how open-ear headphones can revolutionize the way we listen.
From Surprise to First-Hand Experience at ISB Hyderabad
At the event, I saw shock and amazement on many people’s faces when they realized that open-ear technology even exists! Many had never even heard of bone conduction technology, even though it has been around for over a century.
Bone conduction works by transmitting sound vibrations through the bones of the skull, bypassing the eardrum and directly stimulating the inner ear. This allows users to listen to audio while staying fully aware of their surroundings a game-changer for those who prioritize both safety and sound quality. Interestingly, this technology was first used in World War I for soldier communication and has now evolved into a safe listening alternative to traditional in-ear headphones, which can cause ear fatigue, infections, and long-term hearing damage.
With this in mind, I introduced over 350 attendees at the 5th edition of I-Connect @ ISB Hyderabad (March 7-8, 2025) to this breakthrough technology. As they tried our bone conduction and air conduction headphones, their initial skepticism turned into excitement.
Clearing Doubts & Answering Questions
Naturally, many people had questions:
“Is it safe to use?” – Yes! In fact, it's safer than traditional in-ear headphones because it doesn’t block or damage the ear canal.
“How does sound travel without being in the ear?” – Bone conduction uses vibrations to transmit sound through the skull directly to the inner ear.
“How’s the sound quality compared to regular earphones?” – Our NG EarSafe products deliver clear, high-quality sound while ensuring environmental awareness.
Hearing expert Dr. Rachana Mehta (ENT Specialist) also reinforced the importance of healthy listening habits, explaining how in-ear headphones can lead to long-term hearing issues. Many people even started questioning their past choices, realizing how much risk they had unknowingly put their ears through.
Overcoming Listening Challenges: Innovating for Inclusivity
As I interacted with attendees, I learned about some unique challenges that prevent certain people from using traditional headphones:
- People who wear turbans (especially in Punjab, India) struggle because most headphones don’t fit securely over their head coverings.
- Women with long, thick, curly hair face difficulty wearing bone conduction headphones due to the density of their hair interfering with the fit.
Understanding these concerns, we have already implemented a solution for the second challenge (NG EarSafe OpenBuds) a new product design is on the way in bone conduction! And for the first challenge, we’re working on a special innovation for turban wearers, ensuring that NG EarSafe products cater to everyone.
Our goal? To make open-ear technology accessible to as many people as possible.
Customer Stories That Inspire
One of the most rewarding moments at the event was meeting long-time NG EarSafe users. Some had been using our products for over 9 months, and hearing their stories was incredibly fulfilling.
- 100,000+ products sold in 4+ years – and still growing!
- Customers shared how our products helped them in real-life scenarios, from safer outdoor running to avoiding ear infections.
- Some attendees purchased additional products on the spot for their loved ones.
- Even elderly attendees, unfamiliar with online shopping, placed orders with our help.
These moments remind me why we do what we do it’s not just about selling a product but about improving lives.
Personalized Listening: A Solution for Every Lifestyle
One of the biggest takeaways from the event was understanding that everyone uses headphones differently.
- Some need them only for office calls.
- Others use them for workouts or outdoor runs.
- Some prefer them for music and entertainment.
- And many are switching to open-ear technology for ear safety.
Each person’s lifestyle is different, and our job is to help them find the perfect fit. By listening to our customers and understanding their habits, we gain valuable insights that help us design better products tailored to their needs.
Bringing Safe Listening to More Lives: Our Mission to Expand Across India
This event reinforced our mission: to make open-ear technology accessible to more people. Whether it’s cyclists, swimmers, professionals, runners, music lovers, or health-conscious individuals, everyone deserves a safer way to listen.
The enthusiasm and feedback we received gave us even more confidence to continue attending offline events across India, meeting new people, and spreading the message of healthy listening.
We’re not just selling headphones—we’re creating a movement. And this is just the beginning.
