Ear plugs/protectors for younger ones...

[janets]

We're going again to the world in February for DS#1's 8th birthday. DS#2, who is just about 3.5 yo, loves the fireworks, but hates the sound of them. He'd think it was perfect to watch them from the parking lot. Now, I know all about watching them from the beach at Poly, but really, since it's my older son's birthday, I don't want to have to tell him we can't stay for fireworks.

Has anyone had experience with some type of ear plug or noise protector for younger kids? We've had a devil of a time finding headphone for him to use with our new portable DVD player, since the earbuds are just too big for his little ears. They simply do not fit and fall out. We had to get ones that sort of hang over the ear and while they are a bit too big, at least if he stays still he can hear. He doesn't love them but if he wants to watch the movie, he'll use them.

I'm afraid that childrens earplugs will just be too big for his tiny ear canal. Any suggestions?

 

[ryanally]

When our kids were little we brought along cotton balls. I had to rip them in half and tuck them into their ears, but it was inexpensive and worked well for us.

 

[KimR]

I tried the earplugs for my DD, but they didn't work. I wound up holding her ears for her during the fireworks and louder attractions.

 

[mom22princesses]

Hi! We are going Feb 4-11th and my 3.5 yr old DD doesn't like loud noises, either. I just bought hearing protection headphones at Wal-Mart yesterday. They were in the "gun" section near the camoflauge-wear etc. They look like the old-style headphones (a bit bulky) but no cords etc. Even though they are adult-size they seem to fit her head o.k. I also sprung for the $13 pair over the $8 pair because they fold up a bit. I told her we can decorate them with disney stickers. We will probably use them for the fireworks and all the shows/movies. Hope this helps!

 

[scouthawkk]

I'm afraid that childrens earplugs will just be too big for his tiny ear canal. Any suggestions?

This is what we use for our DS3: http://www.epinions.com/content_117424361092
He hates loud noises, even made us leave MK during Wishes in August because we forgot them, and the fireworks were to loud for him. We have been using them since he had tubes inserted at 18 months. At first it was to keep water out of his ears, but not it is mainly to help block out the loud noises at fireworks or other loud places (like hocky games ). They do not block out all noise, so he can still hear us talk (when he wants to actually listen, but that is another issue all together ). We carry one full set in a contact lense case, one in each side. Slides right in a pocket or purse easily. They last for several uses, as long as they don't get all gunked up or fall on the ground. And pretty cheap to buy, too.

These earplugs are not like most out there. They do not actually go into your ears. They squash and spread out over the ear opening. DS hates the kind that go into the ear, and they also fall out. This kind is great, and he loves the bright orange color, too (I believe they also have bright green and clear ones...and if not in child sizes, you can use one adult sized one split in two, half for each ear). We get them at our local grocery store in the ear care section.

Hope that helps. Good luck!