How wireless headphones work and how to connect

From call centres to fitness centres, wireless headphones are used by millions of people every day for work and play. For example, wireless headphones are popular with gamers, since it frees you up to move around without having to worry about a cord. People doing a workout at the gym or in front of their TV in the living room love the freedom of wireless headphones. They are also perfect for people who want to watch late-night television without disturbing others.

Wireless headphones are headphones that connect to a device, such as a smartphone, stereo speaker, television, gaming console, computer or other electronic devices, without using a wire or cable. Wireless headphones work by transmitting audio signals through either radio or IR (infrared) signals, depending on the device.

Wireless headphones work by connecting, or pairing with the device you want to use through a radio or infrared signal. Many devices use Bluetooth technology to make connecting easier for the user. Devices with Bluetooth technology can connect and exchange data over very short distances using radio transmissions. Headphones with Bluetooth also let you connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

A product with Bluetooth technology has a tiny computer chip inside that contains the Bluetooth radio, and software that makes connectivity between devices possible. So when Bluetooth-enabled products, such as a cell phone and headphones, are in close proximity to each other, they connect, or pair. This enables you to talk on the phone or listen to music without wires.

Connecting a wireless headphone differs depending on the device you are using, but it’s easy once you know how. Here is a list of the most popular devices that people use with wireless headphones and how to connect them.