Tips on buying Noise Canceling Headphones

[BethCPTSD]

Hi,
I just have a couple of questions about noise canceling headphones. One, for those of you who have used them (these would be for adults, by the way) do you recommend getting a certain brand or make of them (and where online could I buy them)? (Also keeping in mind, this is especially for use at Disney, as you would imagine.) 2. Are they bulky and noticeable? Or is there a kind that is fairly discrete? I have no idea what they might look like. 3. Any other tips about buying these for the trip?

Thank you for your help!

BethCPTSD

 

[SgtTibbs]

First off what are you trying to accomplish? Many people are surprised to find that while wearing "noise cancelling" headphones they can clearly hear the person sitting next to them on the plane. Noise cancelling headphones are specifically made to drown out the white noise caused by jet engines while not blocking sounds around the frequency of human voice (so you can clearly hear songs).

If you want peace and quite in a noisy environment, you want "Noise Isolation" headphones. Isolation headphones are typically not battery powered or discreet.

 

[gap2368]

yes what do you want them for. I use the really big ear protectors when I am at disney as being in a room with a few people talking, any loud noise or certain noises I have a lot of problems with.

I have used a few things I started out with noise canceling but most of the time it was not enough then ( and they broke on the first day of a 6 day trip) I know use ear protectors some times these are not enough and when that happens I put my ear buds on with some music to help take the edge off. the down side is I really can't hear anything. most of the time this is fine since I go alone but with my friend we just text or use ALS since we both know it ( I know more then my friend, although not fluent at all)

how sensitive are you to noises if you are very ear protectors might be your best bet

not that sensitive then maybe some good ear buds with some music

also first aid has the form things you but in your ears that they will give you for free. ( I forgot my earbuds a few too many times and had to use this for a short time)

 

[BethCPTSD]

Sorry for any lack of clarification on my part. I was referencing the suggestions I've gotten previously in regard to going to Disney with my particular disabilities (one being Complex PTSD) and thus, being very sensitive to sensory overload. Sometimes these headphones are recommended for children with sensory processing disorders as well, and those on the autism spectrum. I'm really not referring to issues flying, but more so being at WDW parks, and needing a break from overstimulation. Any and all suggestions are helpful. Thank you, SgtTibbs.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Yes, I can see a place for both: sometimes I think an IPOD with music would help. But sometimes I would need to cut out voices and much extraneous noise, if possible. What are those called, and where (online, preferably) could I buy them? Thank you.

 

[wilkeliza]

Sorry for any lack of clarification on my part. I was referencing the suggestions I've gotten previously in regard to going to Disney with my particular disabilities (one being Complex PTSD) and thus, being very sensitive to sensory overload. Sometimes these headphones are recommended for children with sensory processing disorders as well, and those on the autism spectrum. I'm really not referring to issues flying, but more so being at WDW parks, and needing a break from overstimulation. Any and all suggestions are helpful. Thank you, SgtTibbs.

You want noise cancelling earmuffs which block out all noise not noise canceling headphones. I have Bose noise cancelling headphones and while they block out some noise when turned on and all white noise they do not block out any sudden loud noise (fireworks, someone dropping something, a screaming child, etc). Mine are pretty good at blocking out other people's chatter but that is due to the volume I play my music at when at work and not just the noise cancelling portion.

Earmuffs and ear plugs block up to a certain decibel. Earmuffs work the best are what you would see adults wearing at a gun range or what a lot of families use for infants and sensory sensitive kids for fireworks or other loud events (NASCAR is a bigg). The downfall is they are chunky and not easily hidden. You can use ear plugs as well but ear plus only go up to 32 decibels so only cut out a portion of the over all noise basically muffling everything. IT is like walking around with a head cold.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Ok, thanks Wilkeliza! You say your headphones are Bose, what about the earmuffs? Same company or a different one? Is there a certain place online you would recommend I look for some?

 

[gap2368]

these are what I have ( or similar )

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/3m-peltor-juniors-earmuff?repChildCatid=1165116

they are big but they do a good job you can still hear some but not as much as if I did not have them I have a zip tie around the head part so they I can clip them on my back pack when not in use

I am thinking of getting these for my next trip

http://www.amazon.com/Decibullz-Cus...&sr=8-11&keywords=ear+protection+for+shooting

not to sure how well they will work as I can only have things in my ears for so long ( about 30 minutes about 2 maybe 3 times a day)

 

[SueM in MN]

Most people who are looking for noise isolation headphone use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-H10...ie=UTF8&qid=1459970836&sr=8-4&keywords=Peltor

Or these:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Ove...ie=UTF8&qid=1459971007&sr=8-5&keywords=Peltor
http://www.amazon.com/Snug-Sound-Ea...id=1459971638&sr=8-17&keywords=Ear+protectors

You can also use ear plugs like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Ear-Plugs-Pro...UTF8&qid=1459971721&sr=1-6&keywords=ear+plugs

Or these:
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Rese...UTF8&qid=1459971796&sr=1-9&keywords=ear+plugs

They are meant to isolate you from sounds as SgtTibbs explained.

Noise cancelling earphones are basically to 'cancel out' sounds so that you can listen to music more easily.
They are battery operated and generally cost between $100 and $500

 

[gap2368]

beth since you really do not know if these will be helpful ( not saying they could) I would not spend that much money on them I would go to amazon and type in ear protectors and see what comes up ( this is more then likely what sue did) I would not spend more then $35 on them bring some ear buds ( agin you can get them cheep) this way you have 2 option if you can put things in your ears ( like the ones sue linked to) then maybe get some of those. the down side to ear protectors is that it can be hard to wear sunglasses or a hat and they are really big.

also how are you in a room with a lot of people talking or some place with loud noises like a gun range where I live there is an indoor ardacaid when a lot of noise a lights going off do you have something like that where you are. I am just suggesting this so you can have an idea of what it might be like at disney to gove you an idea of what you might need.

 

[SgtTibbs]

I am thinking of getting these for my next trip

http://www.amazon.com/Decibullz-Cus...&sr=8-11&keywords=ear+protection+for+shooting

not to sure how well they will work as I can only have things in my ears for so long ( about 30 minutes about 2 maybe 3 times a day)

I use the Decibullz headphones when running (in fact I have them on in my avatar photo there on your left). Can't say enough good things about them. They are custom fitted so I can wear them all day (and I do mean ALL day) comfortably. They block out most sounds and let me hear my music clearly. In your case BethCPDST I can't see going wrong with having both the earplug and headphone versions.

 

[DLgal]

My son uses the 3M Peltor ear protection and we bought from Amazon. They are big and chunky but they were cheap and they work! He takes them to Disneyland every time we go for the loud rides. He also uses them sometimes in noisy restaurants.

We tried earplugs and noise cancelling headphones and earbuds. Nothing comes close to the Peltor muffs.

 

[wilkeliza]

Ok, thanks Wilkeliza! You say your headphones are Bose, what about the earmuffs? Same company or a different one? Is there a certain place online you would recommend I look for some?

I don't have earmuffs but I do use earplugs nightly. If you can use earplugs these are my favorite http://www.amazon.com/Macks-Slim-So...59972617&sr=8-1&keywords=ear+plugs+small+ears They only have a 29 rating instead of my preferred 32 but I have small ear canals and my ears hurt when I use standard size ear plugs and I can not insert them deep enough so they don't reach their full potential anyways. The Macks Slim Soft earplugs seem to work better even though they have a lower rating because they fit correctly.

 

[SueM in MN]

My son uses the 3M Peltor ear protection and we bought from Amazon. They are big and chunky but they were cheap and they work! He takes them to Disneyland every time we go for the loud rides. He also uses them sometimes in noisy restaurants.

We tried earplugs and noise cancelling headphones and earbuds. Nothing comes close to the Peltor muffs.

The Peltor ear protectors are what the majority of people with autism or sensory issues related to sound use and recommend.
That was what I typed in for an Amazon search.

My daughter uses just the little foam in ear plugs when she needs something, but she would not tolerate having the Peltor ear protectors on her head.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Oh, wow! Thank you all so much! I will start looking into all these options and try to figure out what seems like the best bet for myself. I appreciate all the information and suggestions very much!