Children’s headphones are much more than just smaller and a more colorful versions of headphones for adults. Their most important task: they protect children’s still-sensitive hearing from excessive noise exposure and thus prevent hearing damage. Whether for distance learning or music from the smartphone – children are listening to more and more sounds and music through their headphones. Safe children’s headphones are therefore an important investment for parents as well as schools or daycare centers to protect children’s hearing.
Loud sounds through headphones damage children’s hearing
Children’s hearing is sensitive and can be permanently damaged if exposed to too much loud noise or loud music. Hearing impairments in children should not be underestimated. They can hinder development and learning ability at a crucial age and even lead to speech, reading and even language disorders.
Headphones are often an underestimated danger
But what role do headphones play in this? The study was also able to shed light on this. It shows a correlation between listening to loud music through headphones and hearing damage: the risk of suffering high-frequency hearing loss is almost three times higher when a child uses headphones. Even if this is not yet definitive proof of causality, the clear correlation is reason enough for parents and educators or teachers to learn more about the subject. In this way, they can protect children from excessive noise exposure via headphones and possible serious consequences. Children are often not yet able to properly assess the volume through headphones alone.
They also often set the volume too high because they have difficulty following what is being said. This can be the case, for example, if the audio quality is not perfect. This can be especially the case with distance learning. Parents or teachers cannot always control the volume that is set. Children’s headphones, which are designed for children’s more sensitive hearing, relieve parents and educators of this concern.
Noise exposure
According to a European Commission regulation, all personal music players should not exceed the maximum volume of 85dB. However, users still have the option to manually increase the volume to 100dB.
It is often underestimated how loud sounds above 85dB are. Here is an overview that gives you a few comparison values:
| Decibel | Sounds |
|---|---|
| 90 | Tractor, brass band rehearsal in the schoolroom |
| 95 | discotheque, truck or motorcycle engine |
| 100 | Subway platform during rush hour |
| 105 | Car radio at maximum volume |
| 110 | Rock concert (average volume) |
| 115 | Power saw; ambulance siren |
Volume levels up to 85 dB are considered quiet sound and are classified as safe by the WHO.
What to do to protect children?
The most sensible and safest way to protect a child’s hearing is to limit noise. Once hearing damage has occurred, it usually cannot be cured. Therefore, parents, teachers and educators should take precautions to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. The simplest way to do this is with noise-limiting headphones. This should be even stricter for children’s headphones than the EU directive. In addition, they should only be able to be bypassed under adult supervision.
Onanoff children’s headphones
The Onanoff brand manufactures a wide range of children’s headphones with valuable safety features. The headphones have a strict limit of 85 dB.
Models such as the ONA EXPLORE PI have several different modes with different maximum volumes. A ToddlerMode designed specifically for young children limits the highest volume to 75 dB. For travel or situations with high external noise levels, a louder maximum setting of 94 dB is possible with the TravelMode. However, this can only be set under parental supervision.
Another special feature is StudyMode, which is designed for distance learning. This is a trademarked equalization that makes it easier to follow and better understand spoken content. It can be used for lessons, podcasts or distance learning participation.
Additionally, Onanoff ensures safe use of all children’s headphones. All plastics and fabrics used are free of chemicals. They are tested under strict certifications common in the toy market. Of course, the headphones are designed to withstand the sometimes punishing use by children and guarantee longevity.
Conclusion
Protecting a child’s hearing when using headphones should not be taken lightly. After all, hearing damage suffered can have serious consequences. The most important advice parents, teachers and educators should follow is to reduce the volume and take regular breaks. Special children’s headphones, such as those from Onanoff, guarantee safe use for children. They also ease parents’ worries about headphone-induced hearing damage.
Images: Onanoff
