Best Noise Canceling Headphones for Autism 2023
Most people need a quiet and relaxing environment to focus on any task. When it comes to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the need for quiet surroundings is very important. Loud and sharp sounds are not just distracting but also physically painful to these people. Moreover, autistic people can suddenly melt down in response to harsh noises.
Loud noises as high as 70 dB or more can cause frustration and sensory overload for people with autism.
Can noise-canceling headphones help with sensory overload?
Yes, Noise canceling headphones or earmuffs can protect people in this spectrum from offensive noise. Noise cancellation headphones for sensory overload mute most of the ambient sound to provide relaxation to autistic people. Moreover, one can select any therapeutic audio to calm the nerves.
In this article, we will review some of the best noise canceling headphones for autism.
7 Best Noise Canceling Headphones For Autism
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
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Apple AirPods Pro | Check Price |
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Skullcandy Venue | Check Price |
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Loop Earplugs | Check Price |
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ZOHAN EM030 Kids Ear Protection | Check Price |
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3M Peltor Kids Ear Defenders | Check Price |
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Puro Sound Labs BT2200s | Check Price |
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BANZ Noise Canceling Headphones | Check Price |
Since sound levels as high as 70dBs can frustrate an autistic person, headphones with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 20dB to 30dB can help them greatly. Here are some of the best noise cancelling headphones for autism.
1. Apple AirPods Pro – Discreet Noise Canceling Headphones for Autistic Adults
Apple AirPods Pro has silicone rims that form a seal between the ear and the ear tips. This seal significantly reduces the ambient sounds higher than 20dBs.
Moreover, its Transparency mode lets you switch off the noise canceling whenever you want to listen to your surroundings. The AirPods can completely block out the voices of people addressing you in public or at home. You can switch to transparency mode to be aware of your surroundings.
These might be one of the best noise canceling headphones for autistic adults who don’t want to grab any attention. AirPods are small and inconspicuous, so you can wear them in public and walk around casually.
These in-ear noise canceling earbuds come with three sizes of silicon tips. So, the user can choose whichever size fits their ear. These options are favorable for people with autism. They can pick a suitable size they can wear for long periods without discomfort.
Key Features and Product Specification
- Sweat-resistant and waterproof
- Easy connectivity with all Apple devices
- 24 hours of battery
- Compact wireless charging case
Pros
- Sweat-resistant, which makes them ideal for wearing for a long time
- 3 ear tips options to fit your ear
- Easily portable due to the small case
- Lightweight and discreet to wear anytime and anywhere
Cons
- Cost is very high
- May not be able to block out loud noises completely
2. Skullcandy Venue – Stylish Noise Canceling Headphones For Autistic Adults
Skullcandy Venue headphones use Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to eliminate unwanted noise from the outside. This headset can provide an overall noise reduction of about 18dBs. Moreover, these perfectly cushioned over-ear headphones also incorporate Passive Noise Isolation (PNI). This hybrid noise cancellation technology can be a source of relief for autistic people.
The plush ear cups provide a snug and comfortable feeling to the user. Moreover, these headphones have the perfect clamping force to stick to your head. This can create a hassle-free and relaxing experience for autistic people since they won’t have to adjust their headphones repeatedly.
Skullcandy Venue headphones allow you to activate Siri, Google, and Alexa easily. Moreover, you can easily make hands-free calls. These can be a good option for autistic adults who want to focus on work and take official calls simultaneously.
Key Features and Product Specification
- 24 hours battery life
- Comes in 4 colors: black, white, crimson
- Tile tracker feature that allows you to find the headphones when you lose them
- 40mm dynamic drivers in both ear cups
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear for a long time
- Long battery life and fast charging
- Amazing sound quality with good bass
- Easy controls
Cons
- Average noise cancellation performance
- Clamping force can be too tight for some people
3. Loop Earplugs – Filter Out the Disturbing Noise
Loop Experience earplugs are one of the best ear protectors for people with sensitive hearing. These earplugs can reduce the volume of outside sounds up to 18dB. These ear protectors use the passive noise isolation (PNI) technique to lower the frequencies of ambient sounds.
Loop earplugs have a unique built-in filter to reduce the intensity of harsh sounds. This filter, along with an acoustic channel, allows high fidelity sounds to reach your ear. As a result, these earplugs reduce the distracting or distorting noise and provide fine audio. This helps many people with autism to be able to understand other people in a noisy environment.
These earplugs come with silicone ear tips in 4 sizes. So, you can choose an option to fit your ear. In the end, the earplugs don’t completely block out the sound but keep the surrounding experience alive for autistic people.
Key Features and Product Specification
- Available in four colors: black, silver, rose gold, and gold
- 4 options for ear tips
- Washable and reusable
- A keychain case to take the earplugs anywhere you go
Pros
- Cheap (under 30$)
- Comfortable fit in your ear with 4 ear tips options
- Subtle and stylish look
Cons
- Simple earplugs without stereo
4. ZOHAN EM030 Kids Ear Protection – Cool Noise Reduction Earmuffs for Kids
ZOHAN EM030 are over-ear headphones that block out disturbing sounds to calm the nerves. These ear protectors feature a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 22dBs. The padding of ear cups is cushioned and gives a snug feeling to the kids. The ear cups completely mold around the ear to create a seal between the ears and the ear cups.
These ear defenders are designed for youngsters from toddlers to teens. Moreover, the earmuffs don’t have any metal parts, making them lightweight. These can be worn long without feeling any weight on the neck.
ZOHAN EM030 does not reduce all the noise but muffles the loud, harmful sound. With the vibrant design, these can be the best noise canceling headphones for an autistic child. These can offer good protection in noisy situations like fireworks, public transport or school.
Key Features and Product Specification
- Fun and cool design
- 9.6 ounces of weight
- Over-ear soft foam padding to reduce the noise
Pros
- Cheap (under 20$)
- Can be folded in a compact size which makes them easy to carry around
- Size can be adjusted
Cons
- Only ear protection without music
- Cannot block all the outside sound
5. 3M Peltor Kids Ear Defenders – Perfect Noise Canceling Headphones for Autistic Children
The 3M Peltor Kids Ear Defenders are designed to meet kids’ needs. These earmuffs can fit perfectly for kids aged 5 and above. These are among the most popular ear defenders in the market, with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 27dB. These headphones can provide protection and comfort to autistic children.
Some situations in which autistic kids can be exposed to loud sounds, such as construction sites, festivals, or fireworks. These headphones can help to tone down the harsh sounds to avoid any stress or anxiety for the kids. Other than that, some kids might want to mute the unnecessary sounds to focus on their studies. 3M Peltor ear defenders can be a good help for autistic children to develop their abilities and skills.
Although these ear protectors come in one size, they can perfectly fit children above the age of 5. Lastly, these are entirely made of plastic, so they are lightweight. Children with autism can put them on for hours while studying.
Key Features and Product Specification
- 6 ounces of weight
- Neon green color which can easily be spotted in big crowds
- Noise reducing ear defenders
- Large size cups to avoid moisture or sweat
Pros
- Easily affordable (under 40$)
- Thick padding effectively blocks out the ambient sounds
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear for a long time
- Can be folded into a compact size
Cons
- These earmuffs only come in one size
6. Puro Sound Labs BT2200s – Trendy Ear Protective Headphones for Autistic Children
Puro BT2200s are on-ear headphones specially designed to protect kids’ ears. The headphones do not use any Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. Their plush padding uses Passive Noise Isolation (PNI) to reduce ambient sounds by up to 82%.
The prominent feature of Puro BT2200s is to limit the volume range to 85dB. Kids can sometimes listen to music at a high volume without any supervision. These headphones have come up with a perfect solution to avoid any hearing damage. Kids can listen to music for hours on these headphones without damaging their ears.
The headphones are designed to avoid any type of discomfort to the user. With its soft ear pads and cushioned headband, kids with autism can wear them for a long time. Puro BT2200s can be one of the best noise-canceling headphones for autistic children who like to listen to music.
Key Features and Product Specification
- Available in multiple colors
- Bluetooth connectivity range is up to 30 feet
- 40mm dynamic drivers in both ear cups
- Built-in microphone for calls
- 20 hours of battery life
Pros
- Long battery life
- Safe for kids because of volume restriction
- Good sound quality for music
Cons
- They don’t offer good noise reduction
- Can be expensive for some people (almost 100$)
7. BANZ – Noise Canceling Headphones for Kids That Mute the Outside Noise
BANZ earmuffs are noise canceling headphones good for autism with a Noise Reduction Rating of 28dBs. These ear defenders are one of the leading noise-reducing headphones in the market. They can effectively attenuate harmful loud sounds that cause trouble to autistic kids.
These headphones don’t completely shut out the ambient sound. This can be better for autistic children since they might have to listen to their parents talking to them. BANZ headphones are specially designed for children of age two and above.
The earmuffs have foam-filled cushioned padding. These can properly fit around the ears. Moreover, the ear cups are big enough to leave space around the ears. This can avoid any heat-up or moisture. Also, the leather-like soft cover under the headband ensures maximum comfort. BANZ headphones do an amazing job of blocking out intrusive noise and triggers.
Key Features and Product Specification
- 7.2 ounces of weight
- Various colors and patterns
- Padding under the headband for comfort
- Collapsible design for compact size and easy portability
Pros
- Affordable
- High noise reduction
- Adjustable headband to fit the size of your head
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear for a long time
- Durable
Cons
- Simple earmuffs without stereo
How to Find the Best Noise Canceling Headphones for Autism?
Autism is a condition that causes severe sensory overload. This means that people on the autism spectrum can be quite sensitive to any stimuli. So, it is necessary to pay attention to certain factors while looking for noise canceling headphones good for autism. We are going to discuss these factors in detail.
Noise Reduction Rate:
The most important factor to pay attention to in noise canceling headphones is their degree of noise cancellation. Different headphones come with different Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR). between 30 to 45 dB is the reduction in noise any headphones or earmuffs can offer.
You can choose between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) headphones and Passive Noise Isolation (PNI). There are many premium headphones out there providing noise reduction in both ways. However, ear protectors or earmuffs with passive noise cancellation are usually designed to fulfill the needs of autistic people.
Many people might prefer headphones with stereo to play relaxing sounds. For such people, headphones with Active Noise Cancellation can be a better option. So, preferences for the types of noise cancellation can differ, but a high noise reduction rate remains a priority.
Comfortability:
The next important aspect is the level of comfort a set of headphones can offer. Since we are looking for the best noise canceling headphones for autism, convenience and ease hold importance. First of all, the design and ergonomics matter a lot regarding comfort. The headphones must be designed to provide easy and proper adjustment to the user.
Secondly, the headphones should have smart and smooth controls. Easy controls can be suitable for autistic people since they are usually sensitive. Devices that are hard to operate can cause further anxiety to such users.
Lastly, the weight of headphones greatly matters since people like to wear them for a long time. Adults can tolerate up to 17 ounces, and kids can endure about 11 ounces on their heads. A 14 ounces headphone is lightweight and perfect for autistic people who wear them for hours.
Cost:
If you are someone on the autistic spectrum, you might have to put aside some money for therapy and medicine. So, expensive headphones can be overwhelming for some people. Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can be expensive compared to earmuffs with Passive Noise Isolation (PNI). Similarly, wired headphones can be cheaper than wireless headphones offering Bluetooth connectivity. A budget-friendly alternative can be earmuffs or ear protectors molding around your ears to block the noise.
Battery Life:
People with autism might have noise canceling headphones on for the greater part of the day. Some people might want to reduce the loud noises outside of the home. Moreover, autistic kids might want to wear noise-reducing headphones to block out distracting sounds in noisy classrooms. Others might want to keep them on to focus on the tasks at hand. In such a case, headphones for autism need long battery life. Many noise canceling headphones offer 20 to 30 hours of battery life which can be ideal for such conditions.
Wired or Wireless:
The preference for wired or wireless headphones depends on how and when people need to use them. If you only need to relax at home while listening to calm music, you might be okay with wired noise-canceling headsets. But if you are outdoors, such as in a cafe or airport, you don’t want to trouble yourself with wires. A person with autism might be more sensitive to such issues. So, wireless noise canceling headphones might be the better option for autistic people.
FAQ
How Do Noise Canceling Headphones Help Autism?
People with autism have sensory processing disorders. This means that they are more sensitive to sounds than neurotypical people. Loud noises not only cause distractions but anxiety and meltdown as well. Noise canceling headphones do a good job of reducing these sensory difficulties of autistic people.
Noise canceling headphones use two features to reduce the ambient sounds. The first is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Headphones with this type of noise cancellation use in-built microphones to cancel the ambient sounds. The second is Passive Noise Isolation (PNI) which uses cushioned ear cups to fit around the ear tightly. These ear protectors reduce the outside loud noises to a significant level.
Fireworks, thunderstorms, noisy shops, and airplanes are some things we can mark with loud sounds. These sounds can be irritating as well as nerve-racking for autistic people. Noise canceling headphones reduce the outside noise even above 30 dB. This noise reduction can cause relief and comfort to people with autism.
Are Noise Canceling Headphones Good for Kids with Autism?
When people with autism are able to handle their sensory condition, it helps them to focus. Earmuffs or noise canceling headphones can help autistic kids to develop their abilities and skills. Moreover, they can focus during conversations and communicate in a better way. So, noise canceling headphones can help autistic people to live a healthy and stress-free life.
Conclusion
We have reviewed some of the best noise canceling headphones for autism. All the headsets mentioned above provide amazing sound reduction performance. But we find BANZ ear protection headphones to be the best noise canceling headphones for people with autism.
These ear protectors provide an amazing over-ear seal to block the outside noise. These reduce the most ambient sounds among all other headsets we have reviewed. A noise reduction rating (NRR) of 28dBs is remarkable considering these earmuffs only use the passive noise isolation (PNI) feature.
If your child has autism and gets sensory overload with loud sounds, these are the best noise canceling headphones. These are lightweight, affordable, and do an exceptional job of reducing unwanted noise. These features make BANZ headphones the best noise canceling headphones for autism.
