Noise Cancelling Headphones for 5 year old?

[brergnat]

Hi, I am looking for NOISE CANCELLING headphones for our DS5 with Autism. He is slightly noise sensitive (at high levels of sustained noise, he becomes agitated, like at the movie theatre). I would like to purchase him some noise cancelling headphones for various uses. I want ONE pair that can plug into electronics (portable dvd player, netbook, Leapster, etc.) that can also be used on their own as a noise reduction device. Folding headphones are preferred, for ease of portability.

Do they make something like this for KIDS? All the ones I am finding are for adults, and might be too big for him (although, his head is as big as mine!).

We are taking our boys to the upcoming Imagination Movers concert, and will be heading to WDW in April, so I want to get something a.s.a.p. (concert is on Dec. 5).

I'd like any suggestions from fellow DISers who have kids with noise sensitivities.

I do NOT want to buy those "hunting" or "shooting" headphones. He does not need that. This is really only for the WDW stage shows, the concert we are going to, and any other situations like that that arise. He isn't so sensitive that he needs to wear them to reduce everyday noises. He's 5.5 years old, and up until this point has been fine without headphones for the everyday. I also want the same headphones to be used when he NEEDS to use a headphone for his electronics, like on the plane.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You may not want true noise cancelling headphones. Besides the fact that they can be very expensive, they are really designed to cancel all outside sounds. For example, when piloting a light aircraft and wearing noise cancelling headphones I cannot hear the person next to me unless they are using the intercom.

Shooter's muffs will cut down the loud and sharp sounds, but will not cut out conversation. So if he is wearing cancelling headphones he would not hear yuo (or anyone else) talking to him.

And I have a grandnephew with Autism who was started on shooter's muffs when he was about three years old. He now understands (at age almost 8) when he is getting too much sound and will ask for them and put them on by himself.

 

[brergnat]

You may not want true noise cancelling headphones. Besides the fact that they can be very expensive, they are really designed to cancel all outside sounds. For example, when piloting a light aircraft and wearing noise cancelling headphones I cannot hear the person next to me unless they are using the intercom.

Shooter's muffs will cut down the loud and sharp sounds, but will not cut out conversation. So if he is wearing cancelling headphones he would not hear yuo (or anyone else) talking to him.

And I have a grandnephew with Autism who was started on shooter's muffs when he was about three years old. He now understands (at age almost 8) when he is getting too much sound and will ask for them and put them on by himself.

I'm sure there is a difference between the type of headphones you use while flying a plane and what is commercially available for a child.

I actually just purchased a pair of Maxell noise cancelling headphones at Toys R Us for $40. I tried them out with my t.v. on a music channel at HIGH volume. They worked very well to reduce the amount of sound reaching my ears, but I could still hear "ambient" noise just fine. I'd say they reduced the noise level about 50%, not anywhere near 100%. I tested them by snapping my fingers to see how loud it was, and I could hear it just fine.

Problem is, I don't think they will fit my son comfortably (and to be honest, I don't particularly find them very comfortable). I won't know for sure until he comes home from school and I can have him test them out.

I am really not on board with the shooter's earmuffs. They are WAY too big and bulky (we are minimalists when we go out) and it's not the loud sudden noises he has problems with anyway. The noise of sirens, fireworks, etc. doesn't bother him. It's just sustained high sound levels, like the volume of movies these days in the theatres. We had to walk out of Up because it was just too loud for him and he didn't like it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm not sure that you will be able to find earphones that work both the decrease noise when watching movies, etc. and for him to use while listening to music on a portable player. And, you are correct that finding any in child sizes will be hard.

You are correct that shooters earphones are made for a different type of sound you are worried about. They work best for sudden sharp noises like gunshots or fireworks, but many people do use them for general noise, like Cheshire Figment mentioned, and they do a pretty good job of that. They are bulky because they rely on cushioning/padding to block sound.

1. This is a general (not meant for shooters) headphone for blocking sound. It does say that the headband can be adjusted small enough to fit a child of 4-5. They weigh 8 ounces and work without batteries.
   
2. Here's a link to a similar product that has speakers, so it can be used to listen to music and also without music playing.

Both of these and the shooters earphones are 'passive' protectors because they rely on cushioning and fit to block sound.
These shooters earphones from Cabella's have been recommended by some parents of people with autism. Some people like the behind the ear model.
Some of these might work because they seem to have jr sizes- people in the past have posted their child liked some of the colored ones and/or put stickers on them.

Another alternative is in-ear passive earbuds like this. Some people are OK with this type or with just inexpensive earplugs like workers use to block mechanical noise. Those avoid the size problem, but if your child has a problem with items in the ears, they won't work.


Noise cancelling earphones are actually often bigger than passive protectors. Earphones with noise cancelling are called 'active protectors' because they 'listen' to the sound outside and then produce a sound that will cancel out the outside noise. The do have batteries (which make them heavier) and the electronics in them also make them generally bigger than the passive protectors. They were also designed to cancel low, droning type sounds (like airplane motors), so a lot of people have written in the past that they don't do a good job with general loud noise. The noise they make to cancel out the unwanted noise is kind of a hissing, whining noise, which some people with autism find very annoying. So, if you choose to get some, I would see if you can try them first.
Here's one brand I've found online that sounds like they work well, but they are big.

 

[ssawka]

I don't know if these are "noise canceling" or not, but these headphones are perfect for kids. They are just the right size! http://www.amazon.com/Kidz-Gear-Headphones-For-Kids/dp/B0007NWL70 We bought them for DD, but she dosen't like to wear headphones.

 

[purplewowies]

I found these at Amazon: /Califone-Stereo-Headphone-Lightweight-Children/dp/B000EONVWG/ref=pd_sbs_t_5

The product description says "Ambient noise-reducing ear-cup lowers outside noise so volume does not need to be as high," so I'm not sure if it filters out lots of noise, but it does filter out some noise at the very least.

 

[TillyMarigold]

I bought these for my (AS) husband for Christmas last year: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U07C1U/ref=oss_T15_product They fold flat and go in a case. They have a cord that goes from the headphones to your music player, or you can just wear them without the cord and they are noise canceling (he wears them when our neighbor is using the leaf blower, for example). He absolutely loves them.

However, commercial "noise canceling" headphones really only sort of smooth out sound. They make very loud noises, especially very low noises like airplane engines, quieter. But they don't work nearly as well on higher-pitched sounds, and things that vary in frequency (like voices) they hardly do anything with. So I don't know what exact issues your DS has, but this sort of thing may or may not be good enough.

I don't know if they'd fit a child, either, although my DH is pretty short and thin for an adult man.

Also, for the kind of contexts you're talking about (live shows) my DH prefers a special type of ear plugs that's made to reduce noises by a certain dB level and that are sold specifically for concerts. I can't find a link, I'm afraid.

 

[trekkie2]

My AS son uses an ipod with music or pod casts to deal with "outside noise" I have also found that Skull Candy brand headphones are awesome to keep from hearing ourside noise. They are earbuds with adjustable pads for a good fit and run about $20.00 Good luck!