In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a first shield; a spin torque oscillator (STO) sensor positioned above the first shield, the STO sensor comprising a reference layer and a free layer positioned above the reference layer; and at least one shield positioned in a plane that is parallel with a media-facing surface of the STO sensor, the plane also intersecting the STO sensor, wherein one or more of the at least one shield comprises a highly magnetically permeable material that is exchange decoupled and electrically decoupled from the STO sensor. Other magnetic heads, systems, and methods for producing the magnetic heads are described according to more embodiments.