If your child has an acute sensitivity to sound, you should take a look at this list of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism and find headphones or earplugs that will suit their needs. Hyper-reactivity to audio stimuli is a very common problem in children with autism spectrum disorder and it is the most common sensory hypersensitivity in those individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s. Persons with hypersensitivity to sound have problems when they are in a loud environment such as movie theaters, birthday parties, supermarkets, crowded streets, etc., because they hear other sounds that people who are not on the autism spectrum cannot hear. Some describe this sound as having a microphone that picks up and magnifies everything and the sound can hurt their ears like dentist’s hitting the nerve. This comparison makes it pretty easy for people who are not on the autism spectrum to imagine the pain and the amount of stress that hyper-reactivity can cause. Tito Martin-Nemtin shared his experience of living with Asperger’s and hyper-reactivity to sound. He described it as being allergic to the outside world and headphones can help him to stay longer outside and endure the sounds of a busy everyday life.
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This is even bigger problem for children since they often cannot articulate what is the cause of their unusual behavior and cannot find the way to cope with hypersensitivity to audio stimuli. I came across a blog, where a parent of an autistic child explains the problems caused by hypersensitivity to sounds. Her son started having panic attacks every time the washing machine clicked to change the cycle, when they were in crowded places or if he would hear a door bell ring. Some of the best ways to minimize their anxiety are to avoid noisy places or gradually increase the exposure to uncomfortable sounds. It is also good to allow distractions, such as an iPad or iPhone. You can take a look at our list of 10 Best Educational Apps for Children with Autism and download some of the fun applications that will occupy your child’s attention. Headphones and earplugs are a great idea since they immediately minimize the noise and provide relief and comfort.
Price and effectiveness of headphones and earplugs can vary depending on the type you choose. The cheapest option is buying earplugs, which need to be adjusted properly in order to minimize sound. The good thing about earplugs is that they are almost invisible and can be worn at various social events without attracting much attention. However, if they are placed too far into the ear, they can cause ear canal inflammation and ear infection. Proper hygiene is a must if you want to avoid infections. Noise-cancelling headphones come in a variety of designs and prices. They are generally more expensive than earplugs and their design eliminates outside noise while one can listen to music and focus on something else at the same time. According to Autism Stuff, the price range of high-quality noise-cancelling headphones is between $150 and $400.
In order to compile this list of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism, I consulted several sources: National Autism Resources’ recommendation of calming toys and products (singled out headphones and earplugs), Love that Max Blog (a blog about kids with disabilities), My Asperger’s, Alpine Hearing Protection website, and Autism Products. I’ve included users’ opinions from Quora, reviews on Discover Vibes and various blogs. I’ve singled out most frequently recommended headphones and earplugs. Bose headphones definitely take number one spot since they are mentioned as the best choice on every website. Other products are ranked according to their price from lowest to highest. Since a lot of parents on different forums express their dissatisfaction with earplugs, this list of best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism contains more recommendations for headphones rather than earplugs.
7. Califone Hearing Safe Hearing Protector
Price: $12.15
Smaller ear cups of these headphones are designed specifically to completely cover the ears of the students. They are a great tool for autistic children with hyper-reactivity to audio stimuli because they block external noise. The noise is muted enough to keep the child comfortable and at the same time able to hear instructions and engage in conversation. These headphones can only be used for blocking the noise which is usually enough for most children. If you want headphones which block the noise and are used for listening to music as well, then these are not the best choice. Some users also noted that these headphones are not as durable as the very expensive ones but the price compensates for such a design and they are easily replaceable with a new pair.
6. Hush Buddy Headphones
Price: $14.99- $21.99
These noise-cancelling headphones, next on the list of best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism are perfect for younger children. They work great for kids with autism spectrum disorder and sensory sensitivity. Your kid will definitely enjoy the cute design of these headphones which come in three different designs: panda, bear, red and tiger. Ear pads cover the ear but do not squish it to create discomfort and at the same time, they do wonders in cancelling the outside noise. Hush Buddy headphones have noise reduction rating of 27 dB which is pretty high and lets 24% less sound than the closest competition. Padded headband is very comfortable to wear and it is adjustable to fit every kid’s head perfectly. They could be a perfect choice if you are looking for cute and effective noise-cancelling headphones designed for younger kids.
5. Alpine Pluggies Kids
Price: $17.50
Alpine Hearing Protection that ranked 5th on the list of best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism produces a variety of earplugs and they have a section designed for kids with disorders. Protection is up to 30dB which is very high for earplugs and Alpine design won the Red Dot award in 2015. Among different versions of their earplugs, I would single out Alpine Pluggies Kids, recommended for children ages 3-12. They are multi-functional and can be used as protection against loud noise (cinema, concerts, crowded events, etc.), to prevent an earache during flights, to prevent water getting inside the ear canal while swimming and most importantly to assist with concentration problems.
4. Professional Safety Ear Muffs
Price: $21.97
Professional Safety Ear Muffs by Decibel Defense offers a very powerful noise protection and is considered to be one of the highest rated products (of this kind) on the market. Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for these headphones is 37dB. According to user’s reviews, they are very comfortable to wear and fulfill their purpose of cancelling the outside noise. Comfort is another important aspect when choosing perfect noise-cancelling headphones for your child. If they are uncomfortable, the child can easily become agitated after some time and refuse to wear them. It’s definitely worth trying since the price is quite affordable for every pocket, making them one of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism.
3. Discover Vibes Earplugs
Price: $23.99
These earplugs, next on the list of best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism use a very interesting system which reduces decibel levels from the environment and at the same time allows the person to hear clear, controlled and yet natural sounds. They filter specific frequencies and lower the levels of harsh sounds which can damage hearing. This combination is a perfect fit for children with autism because it reduces the noise that causes anxiety and stress but at the same time they are not completely isolated and can participate in conversations without distracting sounds. These earplugs have a minimalist design and outer sound tube is “clear-as-glass” which makes it practically invisible. This makes them perfect for an occasion where you do not want people to stare at your child’s earplugs or headphones. You can also read the positive reviews for these earplugs before you decide to buy a pair for your child.
2. b-Calm GP System
Price: $129.00
We are continuing our list of best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism with these headphones that create special “acoustic shield” which enables the individual to have control over the sounds from their environment. Every b-Calm system is preloaded with so-called Audio Sedation tracks. These tracks are designed to calm down the user and make typically distracting noises noticeable for the user. You can also read the experience of parents of an autistic boy who could peacefully sit with his B-Calm headphones and his anxiety would simply go away.
1. Bose QuiteComfort 35
Price: $349.95
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are a top recommendation on almost every website you can come across. The technology of these headphones is something really amazing. It continuously measures outside noise and then cancels it with opposite signals. According to CNet, Bose QuiteComfort 35 are the ultimate noise-cancelling headphones you can buy at the moment. It is truly the gold standard when it comes to noise cancelling aspect. Moreover, they are wireless headphones with rechargeable battery (lasts up to 20 hours) made out of impact-resistant materials. Since they are very durable, you don’t have to worry if they will break as soon as they fall on the ground for the first time. They are very comfortable and besides ear cushions, there is extra silicone bead added for passive noise reduction. Yes, they are perfect but everything comes with a price and this might be a bit high. Probably the only negative aspect of these headphones is the price but then again, if you want a top product it will cost you some extra money. Bose has other models as well, which are great to take a look at since all of their products receive top reviews from people with autism spectrum disorder or parents of autistic children. If these headphones are too expensive, make sure to choose another pair from our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for kids with autism.
