Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids

If you have kids and are concerned about protecting their hearing from exceptionally loud noises, you should consider purchasing some isolation headphones. Many are actually made specifically for children. They can significantly reduce noise levels and preserve your child’s hearing for the years to come. They are perfect for children with sensitive hearing and those who play musical instruments at high volumes. Below, we take a look at three different isolation headphones designed primarily for kids.

Best Kids Noise Cancelling Headphones

Below, we take a look at different isolation headphones designed primarily for kids.

Vanderfields Earmuffs for Kids

If you’re looking for children’s earmuffs that are certified by the American National Standards Institute and by the European Standard, look no further, check out Vanderfields earmuffs. Vanderfields earmuffs may look like your conventional headphones but these durable earmuffs boast excellent noise cancellation. Ideal for crowded areas and airports, the Vanderfields earmuffs cut offending noise effectively.

We noticed how lightweight the Vanderfields earmuffs are. The ear cups’ padding creates a tight seal that blocks noise. The Vanderfields earmuffs are quite travel-friendly too. The quality of the Vanderfields earmuffs is impressive, especially at this price point. Although you can use the Vanderfields earmuffs outdoors, they are also suitable for home use. This is perfect for children with sensory disorders or infants sensitive to sound. The Vanderfields earmuffs have a noise reduction rating of 26NRR.

The product is not only certified by the American National Standards Institute and by the European Standard, but these institutions also recommend the product for children. We only wish that the earmuffs were easier to put on an infant. If the baby is fussing, it’ll be much harder to ease the earmuffs in because of the design.

Although older kids will find the Vanderfields earmuffs, smaller children and babies might find the fit too snug. In addition, the component that holds the ear cups is made from rigid plastic so it is prone to breakage. For this special ed teacher, the Vanderfields earmuffs became an indispensable part of his job and he recommends the product to parents with kids suffering from sensory disorders:

I bought two Vanderfields earmuffs for children that I serve as a special education teacher. They love their earmuffs and wear them constantly. They are easy for them (3rd graders) to manipulate and certainly “do their job” efficiently. Another plus is that Vanderfields offers a large range of colors to choose from, which is a “big” deal. Highly recommend!

HearTek Kids Earmuffs

HearTek kids’ earmuffs are a pair of hearing protection headphones with a flexible headband. The design of the HearTek is that of a traditional headphone although the headband is ridged so it doesn’t slip when worn.

We love how the HearTek kids’ earmuffs are virtually life-proof. It’s water-proof and made to last. It will take more than a few bumps to break it, which is perfect if you are dealing with active kids. Cleaning the earmuffs is easy and you don’t have to worry about accidental spills since the HearTek kids’ earmuffs won’t sustain water damage. The headphone is adjustable so it will fit infants to older children. The grip of the ear cups is comfortable but stable. The band hugs the head without pressing too much on the ears. The earmuffs come in an array of colors so the product will appeal to kids.

As for the product’s ability to block offending sounds, the HearTek kids’ earmuffs did a great job of neutralizing loud noises. It’s the kind of product that will suit children with severe sensory hearing problems. The product has a noise reduction rating of NRR 27dB.  You can also use the headphones to protect the kids from loud noises during a special event. Since the HearTek kids’ earmuffs come with a travel bag, you can carry the headphones around while traveling with the kids! The fit of the HearTek kids’ earmuffs is great, the kids will not complain about headaches or ear fatigue at all.

Although we did not come across any issue while testing the headphones out, some users say the earcups have the tendency to break apart. This could be due to the thin hardware that holds each ear cups. Some users also say that the sizing runs small so ear cups tend to press too hard on the ears. But this satisfied customer gave a glowing review, saying that his children loved the HearTek kids’ earmuffs and didn’t want to take them off:

I’m an engineer with a grad degree in acoustics. Look no further. These things are the bomb. My three small boys (1 yr, 3 yr, 5 yr) all wore them for a monster truck rally, and they were fantastic. They never wanted to take them off.

Vic Firth Kidphones

These non-electric headphones are built specifically for children and are capable of reducing noise levels by about 22 decibels. Your kids will be jamming their hearts out and they won’t lose their hearing as long as they have these Vic Firth Kidphones on. This way, your child can fine-tune his musical abilities on loud instruments like the drums while retaining his hearing. They are tuned to a high frequency and the adjustment band can be customized for your child’s unique head shape. They really do enclose the full ear. They also look quite stylish, so your youngster won’t mind donning them when rocking out with his band buddies or when attending a loud public event like a football game.

In terms of complaints, a few parents have noted that their kids can still hear them while wearing the Vic Firth Kidphones. Some will interpret this as a weakness while others might actually like the fact that they can still conduct a conversation with their child while he is wearing these isolation headphones. Although it is a superficial complaint, some have claimed that the packaging is underwhelming.

The headphones come in an unsealed clamshell-style casing so it appears as though someone has already used them before you actually open them. Others have stated that the plastic on the top has poor craftsmanship. A few parents have stated that these headphones don’t reach the ears of kids who have especially large heads. Some have said that the construction is flimsy and not sturdy enough for reckless children who tend to break whatever they get their hands on.

As far as performance goes, one user called these headphones a lifesaver for children with hearing and sensory disorders.

I would recommend this product to every parent of an autistic child with sensitive hearing and sensory issues. This was wonderful at our trip to Disneyland. They fit great and he wore them for 12 hours straight.

Em’s 4 Kids Hearing Protection Earmuffs

These isolation headphones retail for around $25. They are designed for kids 6 months and older. They are very lightweight, sturdy, and reliable. Em’s 4 Kids Hearing Protection Earmuffs come in three colors: Silver, pink and blue. You can fold them up and they’ll fit right into the palm of your hand so that you can take them with you on the road as you cart your child off to his band practice. They can be used in all sorts of loud environments, whether it is a car race, band practice or a sporting event. On average, they reduce 21 decibels.

While it might take your child a bit of time to become comfortable wearing these earmuffs, he’ll eventually take to them. While they don’t block out all sound, they do prevent your child’s ears from being harmed. They remain firmly in place on your child’s head even if he is running or dancing.

Some have stated that their child can hear them clearly when they wear these headphones. A few have criticized these earmuffs for being a bit too bulky. They also cause the ears to sweat as well. A few have mentioned that you have to have them on the head just right to prevent sound from coming through. Some kids will struggle to unfold them properly and apply them to their heads without parental assistance. An Amazon reviewer loved Em’s children’s earmuffs for their snug fit:

These headphones are amazing! They are a great size and snug against the head but I’ve tried them on myself and they don’t pinch and are not tight feeling. Just snug enough to seal off the ears.

What Kid Needs Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

Kids born with autism or auditory processing disorder are extremely sensitive to loud noises. Background noises can also cause anxiety and distraction, which causes kids to struggle processing information.

Noise-canceling kids’ headphones help block outside noise, especially in loud spaces. These headphones are designed specifically to lower the decibel rate of background noises without blocking certain sounds, such as your voice when speaking to the child. This way, your child can still hear when being spoken to.

Noise-canceling headphones for kids are also smaller in size than standard, adult-sized headphones, ensuring a comfortable fit. In addition, these products work for infants too!

These headphones will come extra handy in the mall, room with echoes, loud, noisy streets, airports, concerts, and other venues where multiple convos or loud music can be heard.

Should You Invest in Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

Some children are more sensitive to sounds than others. A little peace and quiet are important if your child is suffering from auditory processing disorders. Some situations make external noise hard to filter. Below are some of the reasons why you should invest in noise-canceling headphones for your children:

Protecting Developing Ears

Babies, toddlers, and young children are more susceptible to hearing damage and auditory problems. That’s because their ears are still developing. Children’s ears are so sensitive that they can hear up to 20 decibels louder than adults so protecting their ears from damaging sounds is a must. Unfortunately, hearing damage is irreversible. Once the damage has been done, no treatment can restore a child’s perfect hearing.

Sensory Breaks

It’s easy for a child to be overwhelmed by excessive sounds but unfortunately, sensory overload is inevitable at some point. You can reduce the risk of a sensory meltdown by using noise-canceling headphones. Just bring a pair of noise-canceling headphones whenever you and your child are heading out to block out unwanted noise.

Incite Calmness

Some kids get nervous or uneasy when exposed to an unfamiliar place or situation. Loud, unpleasant sounds could stress out a child and trigger an outburst. A pair of noise-canceling headphones soothes frazzled nerves. They reduce grating sounds that could upset a child suffering from sensory problems.

Enhance Mental Focus

Loud sounds can be distracting for children suffering from auditory processing disorders. With a pair of noise-canceling headphones, your child can focus on learning. The headphones can filter background noise to ease listening problems and enhance mental focus.
Important Kids Headphone Features to Consider

Volume Control

Most noise-canceling headphones for children have a volume range of 85 decibels. However, there are times when louder noises have to be blocked. Children’s headsets with volume control can filter out greater ambient noise in certain situations.

Headband Size

Most noise-canceling headphones for adults come with adjustable headbands to fit children. But, opting for headsets that are designed for kids to get a perfect fit. Most adult-sized noise-canceling headsets cannot fit a baby or a toddler’s head.

Audio Jack

Virtually all noise-canceling headsets for kids come with a standard 3.5mm audio jack. This size will fit most types of mobile devices, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Get a pair of kids headset with a compatible audio jack so you can use your mobile devices when needed.

Ear Cup Size

Adult-sized noise-canceling headsets have larger ear cups that won’t fit a small child’s ears. Even those earbuds offered on airplanes do not fit children’s ears. Save yourself the frustration of dealing with a meltdown. Use noise-canceling headsets made specifically for children. These headsets come with smaller earcups than adult-sized headsets.

Noise Cancelling Features

It’s hard to find true noise-canceling headsets for children. But, we’ve outlined some of the best noise-canceling headsets for kids in this article, some of which can block out loud and ambient noises.

Summary

A pair of noise-canceling headphones work great for children suffering from auditory disorders. Being selective in the type of headsets to get may reduce meltdowns and stress among sound-sensitive kids. We hope that this review has been helpful in your search.