Need recommendation for ear protection..

[hiclarke]

I've searched all over and can't find any threads on ear muffs for children (I know this has been discussed, my searching skills aren't that good!)

Does anyone have a recommendation for a 4.5 DD who doesn't like loud noises? I don't think ear plugs will work because she probably won't put them in her ears. She wears head phones all the time in the car when watching DVD's so I'd like to go that route if possible.

Does anyone have a brand name or website recommendation?

Thanks!

Hanne

 

[2by2kat]

I know this my not be what you want, but my 3 1/2 year old is terrified of loud noises. For the 4th of July she wore a cute pair of Dalmation ear muffs. These were just regular winter ear muffs, but in her mind, they blocked the noise. When looking at the pictures of the Castle with the fireworks behind it she has told me that she will need her muffs. Yes, I will be packing them! So if you see the cute little redhead in the parks in 10 days walking around in 80 degree heat with ear muffs on it will be us! Much better to go with the flow than deal with a meltdown and a frightened child!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

When my DS had an MRI they put these foam ear "covers" on him because the machine is VERY loud. I wore regular ear plugs while I was in the room with him. I don't know if a medical supply place would have them or could order them. You might call your pediatrician and see if they have any suggestions.

We had our MRI at a pediatric hospital so I don't know if most hospitals have them or not.

 

[bytheblood]

For noise, we got my daughter the orange child-sized earplugs at Wally World (Wal-Mart) for less than 3 dollars. You tear them in half, roll them into a ball and stick them in their ears. I tried them as well and you really do not feel them too much because they form to your ear shape instead of wanting your ear to form around them like the foam plugs. They are made for swimming to keep the water out, but they were great for keeping the noise out.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Shooters wear ear protectors that look like "headphones" like the old style used for listening to the stereo. DH just tried his on our 5 yr old and they fit fine (they are adjustable). These block out almost all outside noise. Dh says they are about $10 and you might be able to find them at Walmart, but also a Bass Pro Shop or other sporting goods or shooting/hunting store.

Not sure if I can post a link so if you would like to see a photo to get an idea of what I am talking about PM me.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I take our earmuffs to WDW every year. My DS5 still wears them, DS7 doesn't need them anymore. It is a sense of security for them, they even used to wear them to see movies. I can tell you from experience (personal) that earplugs do not plug out noise very well. They are difficult to get into little ears and they fall out. The best thing you can buy is ear "muffs" that are used at a shooting range. We have two pair from when DH and I used to go target practice. They are big, red covers that surround the entire ear, and they work really well. The band slides to adjust to little heads, and you can just hang them over the stroller handle when you aren't using them. I imagine if you can find those "antique" stereo headphones that we used to use when I was a kid, they would work too. I can't imagine that the kind you use to keep your ears warm would block out any noise.

You could also go to a hardware store and see what they have available for ear protection. I got DS5 to stay for the entire time at Fantasmic wearing those things, and I thought I would have to leave after the first loud noise...

Good luck!!

 

[HueyDewey&LouiesMom]

We bought ours in the rifle area of our local WalMart. They are the kind mentioned above that look like the hold stereo headphones.

My Autistic son wore them for our last trip...and he wears them in thunder storms too.

The neat thing is that he can hear me talk to him, but it totally muffles the booms to an acceptable level.

Oh...and they were quite cheap!! Under $10

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We bought ours in the rifle area of our local WalMart. They are the kind mentioned above that look like the hold stereo headphones.

My Autistic son wore them for our last trip...and he wears them in thunder storms too.

The neat thing is that he can hear me talk to him, but it totally muffles the booms to an acceptable level.

Oh...and they were quite cheap!! Under $10

There ya go!!

 

[Kez250]

My son (3 1/2) loves watching fireworks but normally from a distance because of the loud noises - took a short trip to WDW at the end of Sept with him - bought a pair of shooters ear protectors before we went - he was more than happy to stand and watch the fireworks from main street.

He also used them in Bugs Life and Philharmagic and sat through each show and loved it

We had previously tried noise reducing ear phones - the type you use on airplanes and have to use batteries with - we also tried the ones you actually put in your ears - nothing worked as well as the shooters ones

The pair I got were around $20 slightly more expensive - maybe because they fold very neatly into a 4 inch block

K.

K.

 

[DazedandConfused]

I agree with the walmart "shooters". We bought ours in 2004 at walmart for our VERY sensitive 3 y.o. They were/are great. I got them in the sporting goods section of walmart. They are about $10.00. They look just like the big headphones from the 70's! Whenever we were going on a ride my son would ask for his headphones. He even slept through Illuminations! They were a blessing on our trip! We also bought and tried earplugs from walmart and he HATED having them in his ears and they really blocked out too much. He couldn't hear us at all through them. With the headphone type he could still hear us if we talked to him (course we were talking loud!). They really help make the trip stress free for little ones with sensitive ears.

 

[Leighannapb]

I agree with the walmart "shooters". We bought ours in 2004 at walmart for our VERY sensitive 3 y.o. They were/are great. I got them in the sporting goods section of walmart. They are about $10.00. They look just like the big headphones from the 70's! Whenever we were going on a ride my son would ask for his headphones. He even slept through Illuminations! They were a blessing on our trip! We also bought and tried earplugs from walmart and he HATED having them in his ears and they really blocked out too much. He couldn't hear us at all through them. With the headphone type he could still hear us if we talked to him (course we were talking loud!). They really help make the trip stress free for little ones with sensitive ears.

I totally agree with this one. Dh is a police officer and uses these when qualifying each year. I took some with us on our last trip for ds who is five. He hates loud noises and doesn't like the fireworks at the end of Soarin. This time he rode the ride with no problems. Ds also wears them when watching fireworks on July 4th and New Years Eve. He would never sit outside with us before. They work like a charm!