When you take your Beleth out of the case, they're on and ready to use. When you put them in your ears, your Beleth automatically play the audio from your device. If you take an Beleth out, audio pauses. Take them both out and audio stops. If you're listening with one Beleth and you take it out, the Beleth pauses. If you put it back in your ear within 15 seconds, play resumes automatically.