Ear protection for kids is very important, as children and toddlers have very sensitive and accurate hearing. As a result, noisy environments such as concerts or sports events can be uncomfortable for them.
Choosing the right kids ear protection can be daunting, with many options available. Finding the right size and fit for your child can also be difficult.
Should you get earplugs or earmuffs? What devices offer the best comfort, protection and value for money? Let’s look at some of the best products for protecting your kids’ hearing.
Note: This review is mainly for children 5+ years until they can use adult hearing protection. Check out the post on the best baby ear protection for younger children.
The Best Ear Protection for Kids
Here are our picks for the best hearing protection products for children 3-12+.
Many children today are exposed to devices and surroundings with loud noises; traffic, events, activities and general noise. These sounds can affect the hearing capacity and well-being of young ones. The hearing of children and that of dog’s hearing, are two of the more vulnerable when it comes to hearing sensitivity.
Since hearing loss is usually cumulative over time, it is important to begin protecting the hearing of young ones at an early age. This also teaches them the importance of wearing ear protection (If you are an adult, visit this page here).
Kid’s Hearing Protection Reviews
Kids hearing protection prevents common hearing problems such as wax buildup and swimmer’s ear and prevents young children from inserting foreign objects into their ears. They can keep your child focused and calm in certain situations or when they need to fall asleep.
Alpine Muffy Noise Canceling Headphones
The Alpine Muffy Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids are the perfect way to protect your child’s hearing from loud noises. These headphones are made from ultra-soft and lightweight material, making them comfortable and easy to wear all day.
The adjustable headband provides a snug fit around kids ears, ensuring maximum noise reduction of up to 25dB, tested and certified under US & EU Regulations. Whether it’s a party, concert or parade, these headphones for a kindergartner provide much-needed protection for kids with autism or sensory issues by reducing external triggers and offering sensory relief.
The Muffy Kids Noise Cancelling Headphones have been expertly designed in the Netherlands and come with an award-winning design as they won the 2021 Red Dot Design Award!
They also come with a free travel bag, so you can easily take them wherever you and your children go!
Product Features:
- Ultra soft & lightweight material, silicone-free.
- Certified acoustic attenuation of up to 25dB of external noise.
- Prevents hearing damage due to exposure to loud sounds.
- Perfect children’s headphones for autism or sensory issues (reduces external triggers).
- Easy to clean and features an adjustable headband for a snug fit over kids ears.
- Comes with a free travel bag for convenient portability.
- Award-winning Dutch design; 2021 Red Dot Product Design Award winner!
Snug Kids Earmuffs – Adjustable Headband Ear Defenders For Children
Snug Kids ear muffs are some of the best sound-dampening earmuffs for youth. They’re great if your child is regularly in a noisy environment. They’re ideal for eliminating noises from household tools, airports, concerts, and large crowds. They are meant to fit children with any head size.
A big plus for these earmuffs is comfort. The ear cups and headband fit comfortably on children’s heads and don’t require insertion into the ear canal. The earmuffs are lightweight, and the padded ear cushion in the headband fits snugly and helps block out sound. In addition, the headband is adjustable, so toddlers can continue to use the earmuffs as they grow older.
Snug Kids hearing protectors have excellent build quality and are portable. In addition, they feature a low-profile design that offers a stylish look. They also come in a variety of colors which small children love. The SnugKids earmuffs have a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon from over 4,300 reviews.
Snug Kids earmuffs are favorites among many. They offer great value for money and come in at an affordable price. So if you’re looking for a stylish, well-built sound-dampening ear defender for your young ones, these earmuffs will be the right choice.
Peltor Sport Earmuffs
Peltor Sport or 3M Peltor Junior earmuffs are general-purpose ear protection headphones for children. They feature a 22 dB noise reduction rating which means that they block out dangerous noises while allowing your child to listen to milder noises. Thus, your children can wear them to sporting events, concerts, or the range.
Peltor Sport Earmuffs feature an adjustable headband making them suitable for little children and young adults. The headband is soft and comfortable, and the earmuffs come with gel-filled cushions in the ear cups, which make them wearable for long periods. On the minus side, the earmuffs aren’t the most durable and must be handled with care.
The 3M Peltor Junior earmuffs are great for kids hearing protection. The 3M Peltor brand has been producing ear protectors for over five decades. The earmuffs are available on Amazon in black and pink. They have a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from nearly 1,500 customer reviews. The product also comes at an affordable price. So if you need solutions for children’s hearing protection for concerts or other noisy events, the Peltor Sport earmuffs are worth your consideration.
Pro Ears ReVO Youth and Women Safety Earmuffs
Another excellent choice of kids ear protection is Pro Ears ReVO earmuffs. These ear protectors are designed for youths and toddlers but can be used by female adults. They have a noise reduction rating of 25 dB, making them great for protecting your child’s hearing in loud noise environments.
The earmuffs feature comfortable ProForm leather ear seals and foam-padded, adjustable headbands designed to fit snugly on the head size of youth and young adults. The safety earmuffs do not contain any harmful, potentially hazardous parts. They offer protection in various scenarios, including shooting ranges, sporting events, concerts, and construction areas.
The Pro Ears ReVO Child’s and Women noise-canceling headphones feature excellent build quality. The company behind the product – ProEars – has leveraged decades of experience in crafting the ProEars ReVO. The ear seals and headbands are modular and, thus, replaceable. In addition, the company offers a one-year warranty for earmuffs.
They are great for youth ear muffs for shooting, concerts and other loud environments. They’re designed with a lot of attention to detail and fit very nicely and comfortably.
Vanderfields for Young Ears
The Vanderfields Kids Ear Protection Earmuffs are a great way to keep your little ones safe and protect their hearing. Designed for children aged 3-16, these ear muffs can reduce sound levels by up to 26dB, meaning loud and uncomfortable noises like fireworks and concerts won’t be as troublesome.
The comfortable ear cups on the hearing protectors will completely cover and protect your kid’s ears from any noise level below 110 dB.
The ear muffs have an ABS & steel construction that ensures durability and comfort, so you don’t have to constantly buy new pairs. With improved noise reduction technology, certified safety ratings, and a toxin-free design, you can rest assured that your child’s ears are well protected in any environment.
Empower your child with the Vanderfields Kid’s earmuffs for protection against loud noise and guarantee their safety when needed!
Product Features:
- Certified 20dB NRR (ANSI S3.19-1974) & 26dB SNR (CE EN352-1) sound reducing headphones
- Adjustable headband design creates a comfortable fit
- Made of ABS & steel construction for durability & long-lasting material
- Suitable for ages 3 – 16
- Soft ear cushions provide superior comfort while in use
- Toxin-free material & non-toxic paint finish
- Help reduce the sound level by up to 26dB
Banz Ear Muffs
The BANZ Kids Headphones provide hearing protection for kids of all ages and are specially designed with an industry-leading NRR of 28dB; they will block more sound than other kids hearing protectors on our list. The adjustable headband ensures a perfect fit for all ages and is extremely lightweight and durable.
These ear protection headphones are great for sporting events, music concerts, airports and other loud activities, allowing children to feel protected from harmful noise and too much sound. Additionally, the collapsible design makes them easy to store in your bag, so you’ll have them ready whenever you need them!
The super soft padding provides incomparable comfort and has multiple stylish color options. Whether used while flying on an airplane or going to an amusement park, these headphones offer superior sound protection that is ideal for any child.
Walker's Children's Muff
The Walker’s Youth Children’s Low Profile Padded Headband Adjustable Folding Noise-Reducing Earmuffs are specially designed to provide safe and secure hearing protection for children aged 6 months to 8 years old.
These earmuffs are lightweight and comfortable and provide an NRR of up to 23 dB. The soft foam ear pads, adjustable headband and low profile design, ensure optimal fit while providing long-lasting comfort.
Additionally, these earmuffs easily fold into a compact size that fits perfectly in your child’s pocket or bag.
Product Features:
- Provides superior protection up to 23dB on the NRR scale
- Designed for maximum comfort with lightweight construction & soft foam padding
- Easily adjustable padded headband fits children comfortably
- Features a low profile contoured design for a refined look & feel
- The compact folding design allows for easy storage & transport
Em’s 4 Kids Hearing Protection Earmuffs
The Em’s 4 Kids ear muffs are lightweight, durable noise protection devices for kids and toddlers. Weighing just 190 grams, these earmuffs can be folded very compactly to fit in the palm of your hand. They’re also very sturdy and durable.
The Em’s 4 Kids ear protectors are ISO9001-approved and have a noise reduction rating of 25dB. Thus, children can use them in various settings such as NASCAR race events, amusement parks, concerts, and sports games. The products are designed to place little pressure on children’s heads and feature soft, smooth materials for a comfortable feel on the skin.
The earmuffs have an adjustable elastic headband which guarantees a comfortable fit on different head sizes and when a child wears glasses. They feature a stylish, attractive look and come in various colors, including pink, silver, blue, and green mint.
Several parents and kids love these super portable earmuffs. If you need a stylish, lightweight solution for protecting the hearing of your child or infant, then Em’s 4 Kids protective earmuffs are a great option to consider.
Mack's Pillow Soft Kids
Mack’s Soft Moldable Silicone Putty Ear Plugs – Kids Size offer a fun, brilliant color for kids and are perfect for swimming, bathing, travel, loud events and more. They are the #1 Brand Recommended by Doctors to help prevent swimmer’s ear infections and are used by elite and recreational swimmers.
These ear plugs have an NRR of 22 decibels, and their original, soft silicone putty formula provides a better, more comfortable fit than custom molded ear plugs. The moldable silicone putty molds to the individual contours of any ear for maximum comfort while blocking out noise or water.
Mack’s original Soft Moldable Silicone Putty Ear Plugs are lab-tested and proven to relieve airplane ear.
Flents Quiet Please - Best Earplugs for a Child
If you decide to use earplugs to protect your child’s hearing, Flents Quiet Please earplugs are one of the best for children and those with little ears to consider. These cylinder-style earplugs are manufactured out of soft foam and are inserted into the ear. They significantly dampen loud noises and reduce the decibel levels of everyday noises, making them great for protecting your hearing and shutting out external sounds when you’re trying to focus or relax.
Being cylinder-style plugs, parents can easily insert them properly in the ear canal of their children without pressing them in too much. They are also easy to take out, and they can be safely disposed of. The earplugs are great for helping children who have difficulty sleeping due to noises in the home sleep peacefully. In addition, they have an NRR of 29, leaving parents confident that their children’s hearing is well protected.
The Flents Quiet Please earplugs are sold in packs containing as little as 6 to as many as 100 pairs of plugs. The 50 and 100-pair versions feature a reusable storage jar and more savings. The products come at affordable prices and can be used by both kids and adults. If you prefer earplugs to noise-cancelling headphones and earmuffs, Flents Quiet Please earplugs are an excellent choice for protecting your children’s ears and yours.
Tell me the importance of hearing protection for children?
Kids can’t understand what happens in life; we spend hours trying to keep them safe. This is also the case with their hearing and louder sounds. But, likely, there hasn’t been any noise-induced hearing loss yet.
Young ears can hear more high-frequency noise than most adults and teens. This is because young children haven’t been exposed to too much loud sound yet (hopefully). Little ears are more sensitive to noise levels as well.
What they don’t see may be painful, so a kids hearing protection device is essential when your child will be regularly exposed to sounds louder than 85 dB. Remember, headphones can never replace sound protection. Ear protectors block more noise and have some of the same features anyway. Children can’t even fit into adult sizes with headphones that use active noise cancellation.
Children and toddlers should have clear rules about keeping their ears safe in places with loud sounds.
What age should kids wear hearing protection?
We Recommend Kids should wear hearing protection based on their age and size. KIDS ear protectors should be worn from six weeks to 15 years. We have put together an article about baby earmuffs for baby’s ears, for those really small heads.
Can Young Children Wear Earplugs?
We recommend only older children wear earplugs. When children under 10 wear earplugs, they can further push earwax into the ear and cause buildup. Also, the smaller ear canals may not allow the plugs to fit properly unless meant for small children. The best earplugs for children are Mack’s or Flents.
Over-ear hearing protectors fit toddlers much better than earplugs and are much more accessible.
What Loud Sounds Should a Child Wear Ear Protection for?
Children should wear hearing protection at concerts with loud music, loud events like ball games, fireworks displays, out shooting guns, or any place where sounds over 90-100 dB occur.
Permanent hearing damage can occur without the use of a hearing protector.
How Much Noise Reduction Rating is needed for children?
AT least 25 dB NRR but more would be great for loud situations; for regular situations, it’s whatever works for your child’s ears.
The hearing protection should be certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Is Noise Cancelling good for kids?
Noise-cancelling earmuffs are a good accessory for any child to protect their hearing. They are also a way of improving focus and concentration and reducing tension and anxiety. Additionally, the best noise-canceling headphones for the autism spectrum help reduce sensory overload.
Conclusion
So we’ve looked at our top five picks for the best kids hearing protection. These are some of the best choices for protecting your child’s hearing. We hope you’ve found our article helpful and chosen hearing protectors for your little one’s head.
These earmuffs and earplugs provide excellent hearing protection and can be used in various settings. They also offer great value for money and come in at affordable prices. If you have kids and need hearing protection, check out the products reviewed above.
It is wise to read customer reviews and factor in other considerations such as price, the age of your ward, and the environments you frequent with your child before making a buying decision. In the end, whether your choose to get noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs, make sure to get a solution that works best for you and your child. Protect your child’s hearing now, and they will thank you later.
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