As parents or caregivers, we’re always looking for the best products to care for our tiniest family members. So, it’s safe to say that finding the best means of protecting their delicate little ears is a priority if they’re going to be exposed to extreme noises. While it might seem to be a safer idea to avoid loud environments altogether, sometimes it’s just impossible. (Cue the vacuum cleaner.)
That’s where baby noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver. These headphones can create a quiet environment no matter where you are while reducing the risk of hearing damage. You definitely want quality and comfort when it comes to headphones for your baby, so we’re breaking it down for you and sharing some of the best baby noise-canceling headphones on the market, so you can find the perfect pair for your little one’s ears.
The Best Baby Noise-Canceling Headphones- Our Picks
With so many options for infant ear protection on the market, we’ve found the best, based on user reviews, product specs, and personal experience. As a parent of a child who is extremely sensitive to sounds, I know how important it is to have ear protection that is comfortable, stays in place, and blocks out unwanted noises.
Alpine Muffy Baby Ear protection
- Decibel reduction rating (NRR rating) – 26DB
- Band- Elastic, anti-slip, adjustable headband can be detached and is washable
- Soft foam padding on ear cups
- Very Lightweight- 3.5 oz
- Sustainable hypoallergenic material without silicone, BPA free
- Created in the Netherlands
- CE certified
- Available in 6 different colors and patterns and includes a cute carrying bag
LYSIAN Baby Earmuffs
- Noise reduction rating (SNR rating)- 25 dB (EU certified)
- Band- soft, non-slip elastic nylon headband
- The band is removable
- Soft cups made of foam material covered with artificial leather
- Designed for babies 3 months- 3 years
- Available in 4 different colors
- Includes storage bag
Mumba Baby Ear Protection
- Decibel reduction rating (NRR rating)- 26DB
- Band- Soft, padded adjustable headband
- Designed for ages 3-24 months
- Soft foam ear cups with large open areas to avoid pressure on baby’s ears
- Available in 10 different colors
- Does not include a carrying case
BANZ Infant Hearing Protection
- Noise reduction rating (NRR rating)- 28 dB
- Band- soft, padded headband is adjustable
- Soft foam cups
- Designed for babies 3 months- 2 years
- Collapsible design
- Lightweight- less than 5 oz.
- Available in over 10 different colors and patterns
Walker’s Infant Earmuffs
- Noise reduction rating (SNR rating)- 23 dB (EU certified)
- Band- soft, soft, padded headband
- Soft foam ear pads and low-profile contoured earcups
- Designed for babies 6 months- 3 years
- Available in 11 different colors
- Compact folding design
- Available at many major retailers
Friday 7Care Baby Ear Protection
- Noise reduction rating (NRR rating)- unclear- claims they are lab-tested and certified to provide a 4-6x quieter environment
- Band- soft, padded headband is adjustable
- Soft foam cups made of non-toxic material
- Designed for babies 0-2+ years
- Lightweight- less than 5 oz.
- Available in 4 different colors
My Happy Tot Noise Canceling Headphones
- Noise reduction rating (NRR rating)- unclear
- Band- soft, padded headband is adjustable
- Soft foam cups
- Designed for babies and kids- 0-5 years old
- Made with BPA-free plastic
- Lightweight- less than 5 oz.
- Available in 2 different colors
When Should Infants Wear Baby Noise Canceling- Headphones?
You may want to use baby noise-canceling headphones in loud environments to protect your baby’s hearing or simply provide a quieter environment for them.
Loud noises can hurt anyone’s hearing over time, but infants are especially vulnerable as their tiny ears are still developing. Exposure to excessive noise levels can actually cause permanent hearing damage. That’s why it’s super important to protect their little ears from loud sounds.
Certain situations and settings where noise-canceling headphones may be useful for babies include air travel, sporting events, fireworks, or if exposed to sounds from noisy appliances, lawn equipment, or power tools. Baby earmuffs can reduce the overall noise level and make it more comfortable for babies, making them less likely to get upset or overwhelmed by loud sounds. This is especially helpful for infants with sensory sensitivities, who startle easily or are light sleepers.
It is really important to note that infant headphones shouldn’t be worn for excessive amounts of time. Babies need to hear their parents’ voices and other important sounds in their environment, so make sure you only use them when necessary.
Will Baby Noise-Canceling Headphones Help My Infant’s Ears On An Airplane?
Babies can benefit from wearing headphones on a plane. Takeoff and landing can be noisy, so if your baby is sensitive to sounds, it can reduce the chance of them being started. It can also help block out the voices of noisy neighbors or other crying babies and help your little one get some rest on the flight.
Wearing headphones will not help with the pressure issues that will affect your baby’s ears. They will still deal with ear-popping and uncomfortable feelings, so there’s a chance that wearing the headphones on a plane could cause more frustration than relief. Experts recommend giving your baby a pacifier or breastfeeding them during take-off and landing to help their ears adjust to the pressure change.
Band Options for Baby Noise-Canceling Headphones
There are two kinds of band options that are popular for baby noise-canceling headphones. We suggest trying both types to see which fits better and is a more comfortable fit for your infant.
Over-the-ear headbands
These headphones have a flexible, padded headband that goes over the top of the baby’s head and cups the ears. They are easy to put on and are adjustable.
Headphones with an elastic headband
Some baby headphones have a soft, stretchy head strap that goes around the head, much like a headband. These headband straps avoid putting pressure on the fontanelle, which is not yet closed in babies.
What is a Noise Reduction Rating?
There are two certified rating systems used to measure the reduction of noise by hearing protection devices- the NRR and the SNR.
NRR Rating
The noise reduction rating (NRR) measures how effectively noise-canceling headphones reduce noise levels. The NRR is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the rating, the stronger the hearing protection.
For example, if the NRR of a pair of headphones is 25dB, it means that they can decrease the noise level by up to 25 dB. This can be really important for babies, as noises over 85dB can cause damage to their little ears.
It is important to note that the NRR does not guarantee hearing protection. The actual amount of noise reduction rides on certain factors, such as the fit and seal of the headphones, the type of noise, and the length of exposure. It’s not a fix-all for loud noises, and you should still do your best to limit your baby’s exposure to repeatedly loud noises.
SNR Rating
The SNR (Single Number Rating) noise rating is another noise reduction measurement system that is commonly used in Europe. Unlike the NRR rating, the SNR gives an average of the noise canceling potential.
For example, if a pair of noise-canceling headphones have an SNR rating of 25, it means that on average, they can reduce noise levels by 25dB across a range of frequencies.SNR ratings tend to be about 3dB higher than NRR ratings.
While the NRR and SNR ratings both indicate the effectiveness of headphones and other ear protections, they aren’t directly comparable, so take that into consideration when shopping for headphones.
Wrapping-Up
If you have an infant, it’s a great idea to purchase baby noise-canceling headphones to give your baby hearing protection in noisy environments. We can’t always control the sounds around us, but we can do our best to minimize the impact of those sounds.
We hope our guide has been a help to you. Let us know your experience with the above infant headphones in the comments!
