Headphones for Rick Steves 'Whispers'

Plug-in headphones are almost a thing of the past. It is most blue tooth or some other option. There are a number of good option sub $50.

This might be a good question for the RS office, as it could depend on the tours you are on. Though Frank is correct that wired headphones are a thing of the past, in whisper systems on RS tours they seem to be the standard. On my Best of Turkey tour I was able to use an inexpensive pair like these (and I have an adapter to use them on my phone that has no headphone jack). I only put in one of the ear buds because I don't like to be walking down a street or through a museum having both ears blocked off so you can't hear outside noise (like cars). Now I see they sell wired single ear buds - if I go on another tour I may look into that option.

Frank, not a thing of the past for RS tours. We've done 3 tours including last spring and they've all had standard audio jacks.

We used this plugged into one Whisper. It bluetoothed to my husband's hearing aids and my earbuds.

You could share a set of earbuds. Always carry the earbud storage/charging case with you.

I second the AirFly device referred to in the above post. I used it on our last two RS tours, connecting to the tour-issued Whisper unit via my Apple AirPods. It will also connect to my hearing aids, which I'll use on our upcoming RS tour in September.

We use a cheap set we bought at Dollar General. I can’t use most earbuds, so headsets are a must.

Thanks for the AirFly recommendation. I just bought it for my trip next month. Otherwise, I've used my wired personal headphones with an adapter and that has worked well with the whisper.

MnAnnie, thank you SO much. I didn't know something like this was available. I've bookmarked Don's post for future travel shopping.

The Whisper earpiece and jack connection to the receiver are a work in progress, in my opinion. Third party earpieces, etc. surely are good solutions.

Thanks for the tip about the AirFly. I’d never heard of it. My husband uses inexpensive Sony headphones that fold up. Not only do they make it easier for him to hear the guide but it did the best job of blocking street noise. He has been putting them over his hearing aids and is just careful when he takes them off. I use an earbud that hooks over my ear because the issued set falls out randomly.

I am currently on a Rick Steves tour.
I do not need/use hearing aids, but find the provided VOX earpieces uncomfortable, and have always brought and used my own.

Unfortunately, VOX changed something recently and although my earbuds still fit just fine, they end up staticy and unusable.

"Unfortunately, VOX changed something recently and although my earbuds still fit just fine, they end up staticy and unusable."

@ Liz! Oh no! This is distressing to know!

I’m on the same tour with LizinPA and using my Airfly with no problem BUT I use it with this adapter:
https://a.co/d/0cezeEF because the Airfly plug is stereo while the RS units are mono. I tried to use the Airfly on our last RS tour and had trouble. With the adapter it’s working perfectly.

Liz: Ask to try a different box. My first one had a loose jack. I got a sub and it’s fine.

I had the same issue on my previous RS tour so it seems clear the issue is with a change in the VOX receiver. I asked our guide for one of the earpieces that are suggested for hearing aid wearers that loop over the ear and that solves the problem. Doesn't hurt or fall out and the sound is crisp and static free.

This might be a solution, for compact easy to pack, decent sound and economical criteria.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-ErgoFit-In-Ear-Headphones/44298019?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=970&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=44298019_10000000948&wl14=panasonic%20earbuds&veh=sem&msclkid=16f340b96ba91e399129274381bf6d9b&gclsrc=ds

The problem is that the non-VOX earbuds, etc. plugs fit in the receiver, but somehow don't connect correctly and don't give a good experience.