The Best 6 Noise-Canceling Headphones for Little Children
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Noise is known to increase stress levels in people, especially little kids. It is proven that children who grow up in a quieter neighborhood have lower stress hormone levels compared to those constantly exposed to low-level noise according to a study published by The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.
Noise-canceling headphones are recommended for little kids for different purposes, including in-flight stress and frustration reduction.
What are noise-canceling headphones?
Noise-canceling headphones are headphones with built-in functions to reduce or eliminate unwanted surrounding noises. For those who travel, these noises can be airplane engines, passenger chatters, or a baby crying. Blocking out “baby crying” for small children is very important on a long flight because your child might start crying also due to “sympathy cry.”
Type of noise-canceling headphones
There are two types of noise-canceling headphones: active and passive. These types of headphones share the same function, but the way each of them works is different. Understanding how each of them functions will help us to find the one that will suit us the best.
Active noise-canceling headphones:
These headphones use a noise cancellation system which has built-in microphones that actively listening to the sounds outside of the ear cups. Then, the system will generate sounds with opposite frequencies to cancel the unwanted sounds.
Pros:
- Give better audio experience
- Help reduce distractions
- Prevent noise-related health issues
Cons:
- Expensive
- Reduce surrounding awareness
- Might spread ear infections if sharing
- Have short battery life
Passive noise-canceling headphones:
These headphones get their names because they “block” out the unwanted sounds just based on the ear-cup shapes and materials. They don’t have built-in microphones that “actively” seek ambient noise.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Help increase concentration levels
- Reduce stress and irritation due to noise exposure
Cons:
- Pressure issues with extended use
- Do not provide audio experience
Do toddlers need noise-canceling headphones?
Loud noises can be damaging for babies and young children because their earbuds are sensitive. In most case, serve damages are irreversible. Therefore, to protect your child’s delicate hearing, noise-canceling headphones are highly recommended when your child is attending a noisy events, playing/staying near loud operating machinery, or traveling by air or train.
Noise-canceling headphones help to protect your child’s ears from loud noises. In addition, they help reduce surrounding distractions and increase concentration. They help young children stay calm, relaxed, and sleep well during long-haul travel.
How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for little kids?
Not all noise-canceling headphones are created equally. It is always best to do some research before purchasing to ensure you get the products that best suit your needs. There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on noise-canceling headphones
- Your child’s age. You want to make sure that the headphones fit properly and comfortably on your child’s head.
- Noise-reduction level. You will need to check the noise reduction rating (NRR). The higher the rating, the more noise the headphones will reduce. NRR around dBA or more is recommended.
- Passive or active noise cancelation. Depending on your need and budget, you can pick a pair of passive or active noise-canceling headphones. A passive pair is good enough if you simply want to protect your child’s hearing from loud noise. You might want to pick an active pair if you plan to have your child listen to baby music or watch their favorite kid shows during long-haul flights.
Our Top Picks
Snug Kids Ear Protection
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Snug Play+ Kids Headphones
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Dr.meter 27NRR Noise Cancelling Headphones
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Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection
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Alpine Muffy Earmuffs
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PROHEAR 032 Kids Ear Protection
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Remarks
Young children’s hearings are sensitive. They can easily be damaged if not carefully protected from loud noises such as music, engines, TVs, and other operating tools. In addition, young children have a very short attention spans and can be easily distracted by their surroundings.
Thus, noise-canceling headphones are suggested for multiple purposes. I hope the article helps give you more insights about noise-canceling headphones. Comment to let me know which ones you pick for your little kid!
