The Best Kids’ Headphones for Sensitive Little Ears (2024)

FAQs

The Best Kids’ Headphones for Sensitive Little Ears? ›

The World Health Organization recommends that children spend no more than 40 hours listening to a personal audio device per week, at levels no higher than 75 decibels, to prevent hearing damage. Even many “kid-safe” headphones go up to 85 or 90 decibels.

The World Health Organization recommends that children spend no more than 40 hours listening to a personal audio device per week, at levels no higher than 75 decibels, to prevent hearing damage. Even many “kid-safe” headphones go up to 85 or 90 decibels.

Despite claims that kids headphones limit volume to 85 dB (the level the World Health Organization considers “safer”), when we measured kids headphones with pink noise in our tests, up to one-third of them exceeded that level, allowing higher volumes—sometimes much higher.

Though ADHD varies from person to person, being easily distracted by noises could be a part of a person's symptom profile, Kendra Mathys, PsyD, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, told Health. “If external noises are a distraction, being able to minimize that with noise-canceling headphones could be helpful,” she said.

Headphones with higher sensitivity require less power to deliver the same volume as those with lower sensitivity. For instance, headphones with a sensitivity rating of 100 dB SPL/mW will sound louder than those rated at 90 dB SPL/mW when powered by the same amount of input power.

It can be safe for a child to use headphones or earbuds, depending on a combination of volume, listening duration, and the size of the ear canal. One song played at high volume will not likely damage a child's hearing.

The World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union recommend children listen to devices at no higher than 75 decibels for no longer than 40 hours a week. However, many products marketed as 'Kid Safe' do not limit the volume to 75 decibels.

Woolford recommends that parents encourage their children to follow the “60/60 rule”: no more than 60 minutes of headphone use at a time at no more than 60 percent volume. Sekhar points out that limiting headphone use doesn't have to mean forgoing digital entertainment.

Should kids have noise Cancelling headphones? ›

Use noise cancelling or volume limiting headphones

However, children should avoid using noise cancelling listening devices in situations when perception of sounds is crucial for safety.

In a nutshell:

Based on the author's product testing, we chose Mumba Baby Earmuffs as the overall best baby headphones, due to a combination of their high levels of noise protection and our child tester's eagerness to wear them.

Many people with autism experience heightened sensitivity to sounds, making everyday noises seem overwhelming and distressing. Wearing headphones provides a barrier that reduces the intensity of external sounds, helping to create a more soothing and manageable auditory environment.

Conclusion. Headphones can be a valuable tool for autistic people, helping them to block out overwhelming noise and sensory stimuli. They can also provide a sense of calm and focus, and in some cases may help autistic people communicate better with others.

Half of parents (49%) agree that using headphones or earbuds helps keep their child entertained. Among parents who say their child uses headphones or earbuds, 16% say on a typical day their child uses audio devices for at least 2 hours, 24% for 1-2 hours, 52% for less than an hour, and 8% none.

They may be too big, too small, or too tight. Note: Try different designs and shapes to find one that fits comfortably. You may be experiencing a symptom called listener fatigue. That is where your eardrums work hard to manage the volume that flows through your ear canal.

If your headphones hurt your ears, it may be because you're wearing them for too long. Give your ears a break by taking your earbuds out at least every hour. If you wear over-the-ears headphones, taking a break can be helpful for both your ears and your head, as the compression of headphones can also cause headaches.

The best headphones for ear health are generally open-ear or over-ear headphones. Open-ear headphones don't trap moisture or heat, minimizing the risk of ear infections. On the other hand, over-ear headphones with noise-canceling features reduce the need for high volumes to prevent hearing damage.

It could be that the headphones are too tight, causing too much pressure on your ears. The headphones might also be too heavy, causing strain on your head and neck. Additionally, wearing headphones for extended periods can cause your ears to become hot and sweaty, which can lead to discomfort.