Monday, February 18, 2013

Best headphones for kids and teens with autism and sensory issues


This is one of my most popular posts of all time, and I update it regularly.

This is a portrait Sabrina once drew of Max wearing his headphones. They've become as essential to Max's wardrobe as shirts and shoes. As in, he won't leave home without 'em.


I get emails asking what kind of headphones Max wears. They're the noise-reducing Howard Leight Leightning Folding Earmuff. They run $17, with a Noise Reduction Rating of 28 (the highest rating for earmuffs is 31). But they're kind of priceless because they've been an incredible help to him and our family, too. He's more comfortable venturing to new places like museums and restaurants, and less likely to melt down. Like other headphones on this page, they're adjustable. There's also this $10 version, which has a Noise Reduction Rating of 25. They don't completely block out noise (none of the ones listed here do).

We've never gotten the noise-blocking kind of headphones, as we want Max to be able to hear some sounds. But all of the noise-reducing ones here are pretty effective, and if you're flying, they can block out engine noise.


Snug Safe n Sound Kids Earmuffs come in a wide variety of colors; at $15, they're a good deal. (Noise reduction rating: 25). They fold up really small, plus they have a five-year guarantee. They seem to best fit kids under age 6. Lots of wins here!


I know a bunch of parents who like Baby Banz Hearing Protection Earmuffs for kids ages 2 to 10 ($26; Noise Reduction Rating: 21). They look cool and muffle loud noise without shutting out all other sounds. Also available for kids ages 0 to 2: Baby Banz Infant Hearing Protecting Earmuffs.


The Califone Hearing Safe Hearing Protector earmuffs for toddlers to tweens (noise reduction rating: 25) may be a bit cheaply made, but at a mere $8, you can keep them as a spare in the car should you (gasp!) leave the house without your child's usual trusty pair.


HearTek Kids Earmuffs Hearing Protection, which come with a travel bag, also get props from parents. Noise reduction rating: 27; cost: $15. They're comfy, and fit well—although a wee bit on the tight side.


We use the wireless BuddyPhones Play, $40, for listening to videos and music, which block out much of the background noise. They're among the best headphones for the job out there because they're developed with SafeAudio, so they have an always-on circuit that caps the volume at levels recommended for children by the World Health Organization. They also have more than 14 hours of battery life and they are seriously durable.


Another good pair of headphones for listening to videos and music: Skullcandy headphones, $22. 


The first headphones Max ever got were these 3M Peltor Junior Earmuff (Noise Reduction Rating: 25). They worked well but over time the wire got bent out of shape so we decided to try other ones. They're from a dependable brand, come in three colors and are good for juniors ages 13 and up and young adults (Max, however, was wearing them when he was around 9 and he has a small head)!

Max still gets wary at the sight of crowds, but the noise-blocking earmuffs are amazingly comforting. It's not just that they block noise; he's comforted by the slight pressure on his ears. In fact, they've given him so much confidence that sometimes he takes them off when we're out.  

I've tried them on, and they really do block out a whole lot of noise—not all of it, but it's very muffled. Me, I wouldn't mind a pair of my own to block out whining.

23 comments:

  1. This comes at a great time -- I was just looking for headphones for my son. Thank you!

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  2. Charlie refuses headphones, small and large. I think he finds a big 'disjoint' when he can't hear what's going on!

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  3. We have a pair of Peltor headphones for Samantha, and it's just SUCH a relief to know we've got them handy, *just in case.* They were $11.00 on the Peltor website, in the Junior size.

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    1. We used to use Peltor ones, they are a bargain!!! We like the Howard Leight ones more only because the earmuffs are a bit more padded and comfy for Max.

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  4. I am so glad that they are working well for Max and allowing him to have more fun. Did you ever try out the foam earplugs? Those take a bit more getting used to, but they do the trick, too. Muffle the sound as opposed to eliminate it.

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    1. We got them after you recommended them, but since the headphones have been such a hit we haven't used them with Max! Dave likes to wear 'em on flights.

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  5. We just got the Peltor headphones for my daughter, who is supposedly "neurotypical" but has such sensory issues around sound. She likes them especially for the color - she has them in hot pink! I think the trick is getting them to really love them for what they look like, and for her, the hot pink really did it!

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  6. Headphones are like magic for our son! He puts them on when he is feeling nervous and they help him get the courage to go new places! Thank God for them!

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  7. I wonder if it's an individual thing I have CP and I've never had many sensory issues.

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    1. For Max, I think his sensory issues have to do with the parts of his brain affected by the stroke.

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  8. I wear headphones to the air show.

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  9. Ellen, thank you for sharing your (and Max's) experience with the earmuffs. It's such a simple and relatively inexpensive thing to try, and like you both have shown, it can make a big positive difference in the family's lives.

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  10. Does anyone know if the child has to take the headphones off in order to hear the parent speaking? Both my son's are verbal but have huge sensory issues, so taking them off and on may be a problem if I need to communicate with them in a store.Thank you

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    1. Max can still hear me with the headphones on, because he looks at my lips when I talk and also because I talk a little louder when they are on.

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  11. thanks for all of your comments regarding the headphones. I will give it another try with my daughter.

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  12. thank you for your post. Its nice to get a review from a parent who has used products and not just a website saying they are the best. I have an SPD 5 year old.

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    1. My grandson is 5 with spd. Noise is a big one with him. Does your child like these?

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    2. My grandson is 5 with spd. Noise is a big one with him. Does your child like these?

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  13. My son is non verbal. Headphones have been essential to his daily living. He chooses to take the foam out of the earpieces. He can't tell us why, but we assume he wants to hear but it's more for the pressure from the headphones. He now wears two pairs at a time. Yes, double headphones! He can still hear us and understand us. I'm currently looking for a pair that provides even more pressure since this seems to be what he's seeking.

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  14. I wonder if one of those stretchy workout headbands would help

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  15. Any ideas for kid sized earbuds that are noise canceling? My son is very self-conscious about wearing the over ear headphones and also does not like the feel of them.

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    1. Danielle, I don't have personal experience with earbuds but I noticed several sites did end-of-year reviews on them. Perhaps some might fit a child? Here's one roundup that has some reasonably priced options (these tend to get pricey): http://headphonesaddict.com/best-noise-cancelling-earbuds/

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  16. What headphones would you suggest for the classroom that would still allow my 8 year old to hear the teacher?

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Thanks for sharing!