Earplugs for kids?

[mark2741]

I have a 4 and 5 year old and we'll be going to WDW this March.

We were there a couple of years ago and unfortunately we couldn't watch much of the fireworks during the evenings due to the noise level - my son especially (the 4 year old) does not like loud noises at all.

We also didn't get to see many shows due to the loud volumes and the darkness (which I'll start a separate thread for help with that).

I do not want to take the chance that their sensitivity to loud noise has changed in the 2 years so I'd like to see if I can come up with a creative solution to this problem as we'd really like them (and my wife and I!) to be able to enjoy the fireworks and the shows.

Has anyone ever tried earplugs for their kids? Do they sell 'kid earplugs'? I would need/want something that is easy to put on and that they could put on and take off by themselves. Any ideas?

Lastly...are my kids really that out of the ordinary in regards to this? The fireworks are *loud* and the shows at WDW are too - I even wish they'd lower the volumes on them.

 

[tam626]

I asked this question a while back on the Disney parents panel & they actually answered it. They suggested the headphones that react to sound. You can still hear someone talk but they shut out loud noises. We had a regular pair here for when dh shoots his guns or plays the drums. Our 3 year old hated fireworks up until this time. He just loved them at Disney with his headphones! I have a picture of him wearing them. I'll try to get it posted.

 

[tam626]

Ok here he is with them on.

 

[bumbershoot]

Fireworks don't bother my 4 year old, but just the regular noises of Disneyland can get REALLY loud. We started our recent trip on the Nemo submarines, and it was too much, and DS couldn't really deal with anything for a couple hours. Buzz was too loud as was Star Tours; he wouldn't even go in the buildings after Nemo.

But the next day I used my own soft squishy earplugs for him, and it made things MUCH better for him. So I too will be looking out for earplugs for kids, and am looking forward to seeing these noise canceling headphones that I hope will be posted!

And no, I don't think your kids are out of the norm. I know Disneyland is loud and I assume WDW is too, and it gets overwhelming for me, too, but I know how to deal with it better than your average 4 year old.

 

[Nissan_Rogue_Squad]

we saw plenty of little ones wearing these in Sept. Although the bad parents we are didn't get any for our DD, but she also fell asleep before the fireworks shows and slept through most of them, that is until I bumped her and woke her up. she was kinda grumpy that we didn't wake her up earlier, but hey she needed the sleep.

Jason

 

[irene_dsc]

We got earplugs for our kids, and used them. I found them at Target - they come in a little plastic box, and are bright orange. (I forget the brand name.) They worked pretty well - they used them for fireworks, and also for the Lights, Motor, Action show. We actually gave away a pair to the little boy by us at LMA, because he was holding his hands over his ears and looking rather upset. If you are careful, you can re-use them 2-3 times, but sometimes they got hair in them and got nasty.

 

[BeckyScott]

We just used regular earplugs, like the ones my DH uses at work. The little foam ones on a plastic string.

DS is 8 so his ears are probably bigger than a 5 year old (not saying he has large ears, I don't know if the ear canal is really any bigger on an 8-year-old than a 5-year-old).

I liked them because they were small and easy to transport. I stuck a bunch of pairs in my fanny pack, and more in the hotel room. After they've been taken out and put back in a couple of times, they start to not work very well. But they're cheap.

We looped the string onto the back of a lanyard or the back of his hat so they wouldn't get lost.

 

[Manda]

My son is very sensitive to loud sounds as well. I carry a pack of Mack's kids earplugs in my purse most of the time. We used them all over Disney World and he uses them at movies, etc., too. I pick them up at Target. There are many rides and shows that he won't go on without his earplugs.

They are like this: http://www.amazon.com/Macks-Earplug...r_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1229116677&sr=8-8

I used them myself for Fantasmic, too. Makes it much more enjoyable. I don't really like loud noises either.

 

[Holly]

I brought these for my five year old twins last year and they worked out great.


http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/Peltor-Kid-Earmuffs.html

 

[tam626]

I brought these for my five year old twins last year and they worked out great.


http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/Peltor-Kid-Earmuffs.html

Those are nice! Not a bad price either.

 

[RMulieri]

I used earplugs for kids.They had them at our pharmacy in our walmart.Worked like a charm.

 

[sskem96]

My 11 year old gets migraines and cannot stand loud noise. I got some earplugs that are on a headband. They can be found near the power tools in most hardwear stores. They're handy because she can put them in when needed, and leave them hanging around her neck or put them in her fanny pack when she doesn't need them. They're around $4 or $5.

 

[jpeppers]

my daughter did great with the foam earplugs

 

[asoko]

We got earplugs for our kids, and used them. I found them at Target - they come in a little plastic box, and are bright orange. (I forget the brand name.) They worked pretty well - they used them for fireworks, and also for the Lights, Motor, Action show. We actually gave away a pair to the little boy by us at LMA, because he was holding his hands over his ears and looking rather upset. If you are careful, you can re-use them 2-3 times, but sometimes they got hair in them and got nasty.

We used these too for our DD3.5 and DS 5, but got them at Walmart. We used them for anything that was remotely loud, even Philharmagic.

 

[scouthawkk]

We got earplugs for our kids, and used them. I found them at Target - they come in a little plastic box, and are bright orange. (I forget the brand name.) They worked pretty well - they used them for fireworks, and also for the Lights, Motor, Action show. We actually gave away a pair to the little boy by us at LMA, because he was holding his hands over his ears and looking rather upset. If you are careful, you can re-use them 2-3 times, but sometimes they got hair in them and got nasty.

Sounds likes Mack's (see the link that was posted in #8). That is what we also used for DS (we use the adult sized ones now). My grocery store also, at one time, carried the kid's ones in bright green. But DS liked orange better. Also, if you can't find the kid sized ones, the adult ones can be split in half to make a pair for smaller ears. But those are clear silicone, so no fancy colors. But they work great! Blocks the loud noises, but DS can still carry on a conversation at regular levels without shouting!

 

[chrisnkristin1]

I have a 4 and 5 year old and we'll be going to WDW this March.

We were there a couple of years ago and unfortunately we couldn't watch much of the fireworks during the evenings due to the noise level - my son especially (the 4 year old) does not like loud noises at all.

We also didn't get to see many shows due to the loud volumes and the darkness (which I'll start a separate thread for help with that).

I do not want to take the chance that their sensitivity to loud noise has changed in the 2 years so I'd like to see if I can come up with a creative solution to this problem as we'd really like them (and my wife and I!) to be able to enjoy the fireworks and the shows.

Has anyone ever tried earplugs for their kids? Do they sell 'kid earplugs'? I would need/want something that is easy to put on and that they could put on and take off by themselves. Any ideas?

Lastly...are my kids really that out of the ordinary in regards to this? The fireworks are *loud* and the shows at WDW are too - I even wish they'd lower the volumes on them.

i had the same problem! and it really did put a damper on everyone else's fun... a couple years ago,a fellow disboarder told me to get Peltor headphones for kids. these are the headphones the stagecrews use at loud concerts. you mentioned something they couldn't take off themselves.... these fit quite snug and aren't as easy to take off as a hat but not "locked on" either so not sure how you feel there, however.. i thought for sure my son would want nothing to do w/ them but when we explained that these would keep all that uncomfortable loudness away but still let him enjoy the sights he got very excited and kept reminding us at every ride to bring his headphones. he was able to do so much more w/ those! he loved sitting through the fireworks to which i thought i'd never see him do! i highly recommend these! i bought them new off ebay from a seller in the UK for maybe $30? they have bright fun colors for kids like flourescent pink and green. i hope this helps and i hope you have a little more of an enjoyable trip this time! good luck!

 

[mark2741]

Thanks for the tip chris. Actually - I do want the kids to be able to put them on/take them off themselves.

 

[Savsmommy]

I brought these for my five year old twins last year and they worked out great.


http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/Peltor-Kid-Earmuffs.html

I bought the same ones for my DD8 when she was 3. They have sinced been passed on to my DS4. They used them for the parades, fireworks, shows and even some loud rides. They worked great! It was so much better than having them sit there with there hands over there ears.

We also just went to our local Christmas parade and I brought them for my DS. He wore them when the loud bands went by. My nephew who is 3 sat there the whole time with his hands over his ears. My sister said she's definitely buying him some. They were leaving for Disney the next day and I let her borrow them for her trip. It's funny seeing all her pictures now and seeing my nephew wearing them in half the pics.

 

[chrisnkristin1]

Thanks for the tip chris. Actually - I do want the kids to be able to put them on/take them off themselves.

anyways.. .. *holly* posted a link for earmuffs.... those are the same ones we bought at a lot better price! they are SO worth it! good luck!