Best Headphones for Kids – Some Things to Consider Before Buying Headphones For Children
Children have become frequent headphone users in recent years. From playing games on tablets to watching online videos and listening to music, users keep getting younger.
The importance of finding the right headphones for kids is at an all-time high. With that in mind, here are things to consider before getting your children their headsets.
1. Is It Safe for Kids to Use Headphones and Earbuds?
This is a common question for parents who are contemplating whether to buy their kids headphones or earbuds. There is a lot of discussion regarding electronics and their potential harm on children. So it is understandable that parents are concerned.
While it is safe for kids to use headphones, making it “safe” is the responsibility of the parents.
In recent years, many electronic devices that children use require headphones. This includes desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and even portable DVD or Blu-ray players.
Whether they are at home, in school, or traveling with family, allowing them to wear a pair of kids headphones has become almost a necessity. While hearing loss is a potential long-term problem for kids using earbuds, there are still ways for parents to make it as safe as possible for little ones.
2. How Headphones Might Harm Your Kids
One way that kids headphones or earbuds can harm children is by causing gradual hearing loss. The terrible thing about this is that it is mostly irreversible. Therefore, it is a serious issue for parents.
Some people think you can only lose your hearing through prolonged exposure to the blaring speakers of rock concerts, or if you are near a massive blast. In reality, mundane daily activities, like using kids headphones, can also be a culprit.
The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control have both found that continuous exposure to reasonably loud sounds, such as kids headphones turned up to max volume, can cause permanent damage to a child’s hearing in the long run.
According to their research, kids headphones and earbuds may cause harm if the user exceeds the recommended volume. The risk of hearing damage exists with exposure times as short as a couple of minutes.
While there is no definitive measurement of how loud is too loud before this occurs, precautions should be taken. This is especially true for parents of young children.
3. How to Protect Your Kids From Hearing Loss Caused by Headphones
Now you know that kids headphones are safe for children to use properly, but can be harmful if left unregulated. Finding the right balance and moderation would then be the best course of action.
Here are some tips to protect your kids from too much headphone use:
- Make the most out of “parental controls” on devices. Most of the mobile devices on the market right now come with parental controls, or a way parents can place restrictions on them.
- Use the parental control feature to ensure the volume remains within 60 percent of the maximum amount. Some apps also have this feature. Just go to its “settings” and adjust accordingly.
- Download an app to limit your device’s volume. There are apps available that can restrict the internal volume when the app is installed. Try searching for keywords such as “volume regulator” or “volume regulator for children,” and you should find several options.
- Adjust your browser settings to limit volume. Children frequently love to watch videos on their devices with a web browser. They can adjust some browsers to reach only a certain volume level. Again, 60 percent of the max is recommended.
- Choose over-ear types when buying headphones for kids. Over-ear headsets don’t directly go into a child’s ears. The advantages of using this headset will be discussed in more detail later in this article.
- Place passwords on your devices and keep them a secret from your kids. Sometimes, children will find out how to disable the volume limiter app or put back the setting to maximum volume. To avoid this, apply passwords on all of your electronic devices and do not let your children know about them. This way, you can always check beforehand if the setting was tampered with or manipulated.
4. Things to Consider When Buying Headphones for Kids.
Are you ready to buy headphones for your kids? Here are some things to evaluate before purchasing.
Toughness–The first thing to consider when buying kids headphones is their durability. Kids damage items more rapidly than adults, so durable headphones are a necessity.
Look for something that is made of metal or high-end plastics instead of regular cheap plastics. Check the build quality. It is better to choose a product that is slightly more expensive than opting for a budget, unsafe, and easily broken product.
Also, don’t forget to look for products with warranties and backup ear cups, just in case. Remember also that guarantees are only good if your child did not physically break the item. Most warranties only cover damage that was sustained in the normal and proper usage of a device. So if headphones get broken during a temper tantrum, don’t expect a free replacement.
Comfort–This is an important consideration when buying kids headphones, since kids get frustrated quickly when they are distressed. Obviously, you want your child as comfortable as possible with their headset.
Some children like to use their headphones while running around and playing with friends. Here, a wireless type of earpiece should be ideal. Others want to listen while taking a bath so that a waterproof one would be better.
The fit should also be perfect because kids tend to move a lot. This is a little tricky because young children have smaller heads than adults. If the earpieces are always falling, then they might soon break them.
Sound level–The right volume level is vital because it helps keep your children comfortable while they use their headsets. An earpiece that is too loud may lead to hearing loss if it goes unnoticed for a long time. Meanwhile, something that is too quiet may irritate the child.
Your best option should be to get headphones with a volume limiter. Child-friendly kids headphones (headphones especially made for kids) have this feature.
The maximum volume generated by these earpieces should be safely under the recommended threshold. This way, while your kid can adjust the volume, they cannot adjust it beyond a safe level.
Check the item’s product description before purchasing. Ideally, the decibel limit should be about 85 decibels.
Sound quality–The quality of sound also contributes to the kids’ comfort level, although it may not be as big of a deal for little ones.
However, if you can afford to buy kids headphones with the good sound quality, by all means do so. It goes a long way in keeping your child relaxed and happy.
Compatibility–Make sure that the kids headphones you purchase are compatible with the mobile device your child is using. Kids should be able to use the earpieces in as simple a way as possible to avoid any accidents.
You should get kids headphones that do not need a separate adapter to function. Do not forget to bring your child’s tablet or smartphone during the actual purchase of the headset.
5. What Are the Best Kids Bluetooth Headphones?
Children are entirely different from adults in how they use gadgets . As discussed above, the headphones should be durable, wireless, volume limiting, noise-canceling, and snugly fitted.
Kids are likely to pull, bend, and strain headphone cables and headbands. This makes wireless earpieces a better option for them. Going wireless allows them freedom of movement while listening to their favorite music.
Over-ear kids headphones are better because of their passive noise cancellation properties. Getting the right size of headband and ear cups is also essential.
6. Do You Need Child-Friendly Headphones While Traveling?
Child-friendly kids headphones are also beneficial when traveling to keep children preoccupied. Kids get impatient during long trips, and a suitable set of headphones may help them get through it.
Noise-canceling headsets are ideal for kids during travel because they block out irritating vehicle or airplane noise. It also prevents them from disturbing their travel companions as they enjoy their music, movies, games, and other entertainment.
7. Benefits of Noise-Canceling Headphones for Hyperactive Kids
Noise-canceling kids headphones are beneficial for hyperactive kids because they help the kids relax and cope with behavioral issues related to hearing.
In a study by the Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy, researchers concluded that noise-canceling earpieces help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cope with their hyperactivity behavioral problems involving auditory stimuli.
Headphones lessen auditory stimuli from these kids’ surroundings. This reduces their stress and anxiety levels and allows them to improve focus.
Although it was a pilot study, and researchers admitted to some of its limitations, the ability of noise-canceling kids headphones to reduce hyperactivity was aptly demonstrated.
8. Tips to Find the Best Bluetooth Headphones for Kids
You have learned how to protect your kids from potential hearing problems due to improper headphone use.
You have also identified the different kids headphones according to function and what kind is best for your kids. Below, we will further discuss things to consider when purchasing headphones.
You are now ready to buy your kids their first set of headphones. But before that, here are some final tips to make sure you get only the best for your loved ones.
- Examine your kids’ daily routine. If they use headphones during the commute to school, then wireless earbuds are the way to go. But if they only use them at home during specific hours, then over-ear headsets are the best option.
- Try to buy the lightest headphones available without sacrificing function. Children are active by nature. They move around while wearing them, and bulky headsets are problematic.
- Don’t forget to look for a volume limiter and noise cancellation features. These are essential in keeping your kids comfortable and safe.
A Complete Product Review List of the 3 Best Headphones For Your Kids!
Now that you have some information on the best headphones for kids, it is important to know what we consider some outstanding quality headphones.
1. Puro Sound Labs BT2200 – The Best in Quality and Convenience
Many kids headphones have wild color variations and patterns. The Puro Sound Lab BT2200 has a more simplistic design, but still allows your child to choose a color they like. The audio quality rivals adult headphones. These kids headphones offer decent bass, sound volume control, and a choice of wired and wireless function.
2. LilGadgets Untangled Pro – My Favorite Headphones for Kids
If not for the LilGadgets name, a parent might think this pair of kids wireless headphones is for professionals. In some ways, it’s true. This is one of the most highly-recommended headphones for kids.
The audio quality is very crisp and clear. There were no distortions, even when I cranked the volume to full. If your kid is a fan of heavy bass songs, the Untangled Pro has an intense timbre even at low volumes. Like most kids wireless headphones, this also has a volume limiter. However, while most other products set the limit to 85db, the limit on this product is 93db. So, using a volume-limiting app or computer setting is recommended.
These headphones also have an ambient noise filter, which means all the outside noise won’t be bothering your little one when they use these kids headphones. Their ear cup and SoftTouch paddings reduce ambient noise by up to 13db.
3. JBL JR300BT – The Most Fun Looking Headphones on the Market
The JBL JR300BT is styled in a way that all kids should love. Why wouldn’t they? It’s wireless, and the bright colors alone are obvious giveaways that it’s made for kids. Coupled with the ability to decorate the headphones with an included sticker pack, the JBL JR300BT is pure fun. Like most kids headphones on the market, JBL designed the product with a volume limiter. For parents, it’s a relief to know that their kids are not cranking up the volume and hurting their ears. For kids, the JBL JR300BT might be the coolest-looking pair of headphones they can bring to school.
With an audio output limit of 85db, the JBL JR300BT makes sure the volume stays at an acceptable level. There is also a sound limiting filter to keep your kid from continually increasing the volume. Even if your kid increases the volume, it will always stay below 85db. Sound quality is good, but some aspects (such as bass output) cannot compete with other JBL headphones.