A Guide to Ear Protection, Headphones for Autism, and ...

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Finding Quiet in a Noisy World

Imagine this: you&#;re at a crowded amusement park. The excited screams of children mingle with the cacophony of music, ride announcements, and flashing lights. For some, it&#;s a thrilling atmosphere. But for others, it can be overwhelming, triggering sensory overload. A common misconception is that that sensory overload is only experienced by autistic persons! Read on to learn about ear protection, noise cancelling headphones for autism, but also for sensory sensitivity and sensory overload.

Sensory sensitivity, particularly noise sensitivity, is a common experience for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it&#;s not limited to ASD. People of all ages and backgrounds can experience discomfort or distress from loud noises or chaotic environments.

Noise Sensitivity: Beyond Autism Spectrum Disorder

Noise sensitivity is a common experience for many people, extending far beyond Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Loud noises or chaotic environments can be overwhelming and trigger sensory overload, leading to discomfort, anxiety, and even meltdowns. Here&#;s a broader look at who might experience noise sensitivity:

Diagnoses and Conditions Associated with Noise Sensitivity:

• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): This is a condition where the brain has difficulty processing sensory information, including sounds. People with SPD can be oversensitive or under-sensitive to noise.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Individuals with ADHD can be easily distracted by background noise, making it difficult to focus or concentrate.
• Anxiety Disorders: People with anxiety disorders may experience heightened sensitivity to all sensory stimuli, including noise. Loud noises can increase anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
• Migraines and Headaches: Loud noises can be a trigger for migraines and headaches in some individuals.
• Hyperacusis: This is a specific condition characterized by a decreased tolerance to sound. People with hyperacusis find everyday sounds uncomfortably loud, even at normal volume levels.
• Tinnitus: This is the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other noises in the ears. Tinnitus can be exacerbated by loud noises and contribute to noise sensitivity.

More than a Diagnosis:

• Age-Related Hearing Loss: Even with hearing loss, some people can still be very sensitive to certain sounds. This is because the damaged hair cells in the inner ear may become overly sensitive to specific frequencies. This can create a distorted or uncomfortable listening experience.
• Personal Preferences: Some people simply have a lower tolerance for noise due to personality or preference. They may find loud environments tiring or stressful.

Hearing Loss and Noise Sensitivity: An Unexpected Pairing

It may seem counterintuitive, but someone with hearing loss can still be sensitive to noise. Here&#;s why:

• Uneven Damage: Hearing loss often doesn&#;t affect all frequencies equally. Some hair cells in the inner ear may be damaged, while others remain relatively healthy. When loud noises occur, these healthy hair cells can become overstimulated, creating a distorted or uncomfortably loud sensation.
• Recruitment: This phenomenon occurs when the damaged hair cells are unable to transmit sound signals effectively. To compensate, the brain &#;recruits&#; the healthy hair cells to work harder. This can make loud noises seem even louder and more unpleasant.

By understanding the various reasons behind noise sensitivity, we can create more inclusive environments and offer support to those who struggle with overwhelming noise.

Ear muffs or ear defenders

This blog post dives into the world of noise reduction or people with autism and sensory sensitivities. We&#;ll explore different types of headphones and earmuffs, answering common questions like &#;best noise cancelling headphones for autism&#; and &#;headphones for autistic child.&#; We&#;ll also explore the benefits of creating sensory-friendly environments.

Understanding Ear Protection: A Glossary and Guide

Choosing the right ear protection can be confusing with all the different terms floating around. This section will explain the key terms and help you navigate the options, including US and UK terminology.

Ear Protection Terminology (US vs. UK):

In the US, the terms &#;earmuffs&#; and &#;headphones&#; are sometimes used interchangeably. However, there are distinct categories:

• Earmuffs (US) / Ear Defenders (UK): These completely cover the ears, focusing on reducing noise from the surrounding environment. They typically don&#;t connect to music players, although some offer Bluetooth connectivity.
• Headphones: These primarily function for listening to music or audio. While they may provide some passive noise reduction, they don&#;t completely block out environmental noise.

Understanding the Different Types:

Now, let&#;s delve into the different types of ear protection and their functionalities:

Earmuffs (Thermal vs. Noise-Reducing):

• Be aware that earmuffs designed for warmth (often used in winter) don&#;t offer noise reduction. Look for earmuffs specifically designed to reduce noise.

Noise Reduction vs. Noise Cancellation:

Both terms relate to ear protection that dampens outside noise, but there&#;s a key difference:

• Noise-Reducing: This type uses physical materials and design to passively block sound waves. It offers a general reduction in noise levels but doesn&#;t actively eliminate them.
• Noise-Cancelling: This technology uses microphones and speakers to actively cancel out background noise. It creates a more noticeable quieting effect, especially for consistent sounds like engine hum or airplane noise.

Here&#;s a quick reference:

• Focuses on noise reduction, doesn&#;t use technology: Noise-reducing earmuffs, noise-reducing headphones
• Uses technology to actively cancel noise: Noise-cancelling earmuffs, noise-cancelling headphones

Choosing the Right Option:

The best choice depends on your needs. If you simply want to block out some general noise, noise-reducing options may suffice. But for significant noise reduction or cancelling out specific sounds, noise-cancelling technology might be a better choice.

NRR: A Guide to Noise Reduction

The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a standardized system that measures how much a product reduces noise in decibels (dB). A higher NRR indicates greater noise reduction.

When choosing earmuffs, consider these factors:

• NRR: How much noise reduction is needed?
• Portability: Do they fold for easy transport?
• Comfort: Are they comfortable to wear for extended periods?
• Size: Are they suitable for adults, children, or infants?
• Applications: Are they for noise reduction, music listening, or calls?

Noise Cancelling for Sensory Sensitivity and Beyond

Noise sensitivity can significantly impact daily life, causing discomfort, anxiety, and even meltdowns. Noise-cancelling headphones and earmuffs can be a lifesaver for people with sensory sensitivities. They can create a calmer environment at:

• School: Reducing noise distractions in busy classrooms.
• Work: Providing a quieter workspace for focused work.
• Public Places: Mitigating noise overload in crowded environments like grocery stores, concerts, or amusement parks

Noise-cancelling head phones

Understanding Noise Sensitivity and Headphones for Autism

Research shows, and people with lived experience share that noise sensitivity is a common experience for many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Loud noises or chaotic environments can be overwhelming and trigger sensory overload, leading to discomfort, anxiety, and even meltdowns. However, it&#;s important to remember that noise sensitivity is not exclusive to ASD. People of all ages and backgrounds can experience similar challenges.

Let&#;s explore some specific questions about headphones for autism:

• Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Autism: There&#;s no single &#;best&#; option, as individual needs and preferences vary. Consider factors like comfort, NRR, and budget.
• Headphones for Autistic Child: Look for comfortable, adjustable headphones with a safe volume limit. Consider sound therapy headphones that play calming sounds.
• Noise Cancelling Headphones for Autism: Noise-cancelling headphones and ear defenders can be a valuable tool for managing noise sensitivity in individuals with autism.
• Autism and Headphones: Both noise-cancelling headphones and ear defenders for listening to calming music can be helpful for people with autism.

Autism Ear Plugs

Ear plugs can be another option for noise reduction. However, they may not be suitable for everyone, especially young children, as they can block out too much sound, impacting safety and communication.

When considering ear plugs, consult with a healthcare professional.

Ear defenders

Noise Cancelling Headphones for Sensory Overload

Sensory sensitivity is having a heightened awareness of sensory information, while overload is when that information becomes overwhelming. Sensory overload occurs when an individual is bombarded with too much sensory information, making it difficult to process and cope with the environment. This can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety, meltdowns, or withdrawal. Loud noises are a common trigger for sensory overload, and noise-cancelling headphones can be a valuable tool in managing it.

Here&#;s how noise-cancelling headphones help with autism or sensory overload:

• Reduced Background Noise: Noise-cancelling technology actively reduces unwanted background noise, creating a calmer and more manageable environment.
• Improved Focus: By minimizing distractions, noise-cancelling headphones can help people with sensory overload focus on specific tasks, conversations, or activities.
• Increased Comfort: In noisy environments, the constant barrage of sound can be fatiguing. Noise-cancelling headphones can provide a sense of comfort and relief.
• Customizable Settings: Many noise-cancelling headphones allow users to adjust the level of noise reduction, offering a degree of control over the sensory environment.

Things to Consider When Choosing Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Sensory Overload:

• Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): A higher NRR indicates a greater reduction in decibels, which can be helpful for individuals highly sensitive to noise.
• Comfort: Since noise-cancelling headphones are often worn for extended periods, comfort is crucial. Look for lightweight, breathable materials and adjustable headbands.
• Battery Life: Consider how long the headphones will last on a single charge, especially if they will be used frequently throughout the day.
• Features: Some noise-cancelling headphones offer additional features like adjustable transparency mode, which allows some ambient noise in for safety or situational awareness.

Beyond Noise Cancellation: It&#;s important to remember that noise-cancelling headphones are just one tool in managing sensory overload. A sensory-friendly environment with reduced noise levels, predictable routines, and calming activities can also be helpful.

Creating Sensory-Friendly Environments

Creating sensory-friendly environments benefits not just individuals with autism oe sensory sensitivities but everyone. Imagine a calmer, more inclusive space for customers, employees, or visitors. Here&#;s how businesses and organizations can create a more welcoming atmosphere:

• Offer noise-cancelling earmuffs or headphones for loan or purchase.
• Provide designated quiet spaces.
• Dim the lights or offer adjustable lighting options.
• Train staff on sensory sensitivities and how to be accommodating.

By understanding noise sensitivity and offering solutions like noise-cancelling headphones and earmuffs, we can create a more welcoming and inclusive world for everyone.

At Sensory Friendly Solutions we have low cost, online, on demand training that includes a Sensory-Friendly 101 course to help people, businesses and organizations understand sensory sensitivities, sensory overload and how to offer sensory-friendly environments. Watch a short video that shares more!

Dive Deeper: Exploring Sensory Solutions

Looking for ways to create a more sensory-friendly world? You&#;ve come to the right place! Here at Sensory Friendly Solutions, we&#;re passionate about providing resources and information to help people of all abilities thrive.

Want to learn more about how sensory overload affects adults? Check out our informative blog: How to Manage Sensory Overload in Adults

Check out our latest blog posts for insights on noise reduction, creating calming spaces, and navigating the world with sensory sensitivities:

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Founder & CEO, Sensory Friendly Solutions (she/her)

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Christel Seeberger has worked in health care for 30 years, including helping people with sensory sensitivity who experience sensory overload.  Christel has a hearing disability and experiences sensory sensitivity and sensory overload herself.  She founded Sensory Friendly Solutions in to make the world more sensory-friendly, accessible and inclusive.

In this post I am comparing two of my favorite noise reduction tools: active noise cancelling headphones and earmuffs. The results of an everyday noise reduction test are also included.

Noise cancelling headphones (ANC headphones) have become all the rage in recent years, and for good reasons:

They get rid of bass noise like no other tool, sound great, and are very comfortable. I use them a lot and get great utility out of them.

Some people even wear them when riding a zero turn lawn mower or using power tools. But is this a good idea?

On the other hand, more and more students and people who are sensitive to noise swear by hearing protection earmuffs to reduce distractions and shield themselves from the onslaught of everyday noise&#;everything from chatter to screeching chairs.

Some teachers even buy earmuffs in bulk for whole classes and allow their use in exams. Wouldn&#;t it be much better if they got ANC headphones instead?

Well, after having used both for a couple of years and done a fair bit of testing (see below), here is what I have found.

Summary noise cancelling headphones vs earmuffs

Both noise cancelling headphones and hearing protection earmuffs are good options for everyday noise reduction, e.g., if you are you are sensitive to noise or are looking for a tool to improve concentration.

However, for use as a hearing protector in a high noise environment, choose safety earmuffs with a noise reduction rating (NRR), not noise cancelling headphones.

Strengths of noise cancelling headphones (ANC headphones)

• They provide good to excellent low frequency noise reduction (e.g., traffic, plane, thumping bass, HVAC) and good high-frequency noise reduction (e.g., screeching brakes, hand-held vacuum).
• ANC headphones are very comfortable.
• They sound great.

Weaknesses

• ANC headphones are OK at reducing mid-frequency noise, but safety earmuffs work a lot better for these frequencies. And, there is a lot of noise in the mid-frequencies.
• ANC earbuds only somewhat reduce mid-frequency noise.
• These headphones have no NRR and are not designed for hearing protection in a work environment.
• They aren&#;t cheap.

Strengths of hearing protection earmuffs

• Safety earmuffs provide good to excellent mid-frequency noise reduction (e.g., shouting, barking, honking, vacuum cleaner, etc.) and good to excellent high-frequency noise reduction.
• They have a noise reduction rating (NRR).
• They can be used for everyday noise reduction as well as a hearing protector in a high-noise work environment.
• Good earmuffs are inexpensive.

Weaknesses

• For low-frequency noise, even the highest rated NRR 30-31 earmuffs offer only OK noise reduction. Lower rated NRR 25 earmuffs only somewhat reduce low frequency noise.
• They are less comfortable than ANC headphones and ANC earbuds.
• In order to provide an optimal seal they employ a higher headband force than headphones.

Overall comparison table

WhatNoise cancelling headphonesNRR 30 earmuffsNRR 25 earmuffsNoise cancelling earbuds Low frequency noise (traffic, plane, bass, HVAC)ExcellentOKSo-soGood to Excellent Mid frequency noise (shouting, barking, honking, vacuum)OKExcellentGoodSo-so to OK High frequency noise (screeching brakes, crickets, hand-held vacuum)GoodExcellentGoodOK Noise reduction ratingNoYesYesNo Work hearing protectorNoYesYesNo ComfortExcellentOKOKExcellent Headband forceLowerHigherHigherNone Sound qualityExcellentNo speakersOK (Bluetooth models)Good Make callsYesNo SomeYes BatteryYesNoSomeYes Battery for noise reductionYesNoNoYes SturdinessGoodExcellentExcellentGood PriceHigherLowerLowerHigher

Noise cancelling headphones vs earmuffs as a hearing protector

Noise cancelling headphones can help to protect your hearing in everyday life, but they are not a rated hearing protection device, i.e., they have no U.S. NRR.

For more information, please visit soundproof earmuffs.

Most other countries have similar standards that require that hearing protectors be tested and rated.

Furthermore, even the best current ANC headphones have what I call a mid-frequency weakness (see below for more details). In this range they are largely outperformed by earmuffs.

So when riding a gas-powered lawn mower, grinding down tiles, or working on a factory floor, I recommend you use correctly rated and labeled noise reduction earmuffs or earplugs with an NRR.

If you want to listen to radio, music or audio books or take a call while mowing the lawn, doing metal work, etc., take a look at my test and review of hearing protection earmuffs with Bluetooth.

So are noise cancelling headphones no good for protecting hearing?

Noise cancelling headphones use a combination of noise cancelling electronics and noise-isolating ear cups to reduce the noise reaching the ear. The best noise cancelling headphones are excellent at reducing low-frequency noise, including HVAC, vehicle, engine, airplane, and bass noise.

Through their ear cups they are also moderately effective at reducing mid-frequency noise and good at reducing high-frequency noise.

As a consequence, you can listen to music, lectures, or audio books at a much lower (=safer) volume than you can with normal headphones.

Also, in cities and on public transport you can actually quite easily encounter unsafe or at the very least stressful noise levels.

Against this noise onslaught, state-of-the-art ANC headphones are a great and comfortable antidote.

But note, not all noise cancelling headphones perform as promised.

Read my post Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Protect Your Hearing for more details and recommendations.

Test results: everyday noise reduction noise cancelling headphones vs earmuffs

To get a better picture of how well headphones and earmuffs perform in everyday noise situations, I did a systematic listening test comparing a pair of state-of-the-art Sony noise cancelling headphones (WH-XM3), and two different earmuff models:

• Peltor X5A (NRR-31; earmuffs with a very high noise reduction rating)
• Peltor Optime 98 (NRR-25; light-weight earmuffs with moderate effectiveness)

I compared headphones and earmuffs from 40 to Hz (in 1/3 octave band steps) using narrow band pulsed-noise.

For each 1/3 octave band, I started out with a high sound level, reduced the volume until I couldn&#;t hear the noise anymore, and took note of the hearing threshold sound level.

(This is similar to the real ear attenuation at threshold test [REAT] performed when earmuffs are rated, but I used finer steps and tested down to 40 Hz as opposed to 125 Hz. And, I don&#;t have an anechoic chamber.)

In the following table I have scored the results:

(++: substantially better; + somewhat better)

What does that mean for practical purposes?

For lower-frequency noise from 40 to 315 Hz, the Sony headphones performed significantly better than the X5A, the highest-rated passive earmuffs I know of.

These ANC headphones are going to be more effective than the earmuffs against:

• Airplane cabin noise
• Traffic noise (buses, trucks, cars, motorbikes)
• The bass of sub woofers
• AC compressors and HVAC systems
• Generators

From 400 Hz to Hz, the X5A earmuffs performed a lot better than the noise cancelling headphones, and from to Hz still somewhat better.

Many everyday noises fall into this mid-frequency to lower-treble frequency range:

• Honking of most vehicle horns
• Louder speech noise, screaming, and shouting
• Barking of most dog breeds. (Some large breeds like Rottweilers fall more into the lower-frequency range.)
• Vacuum cleaners (some models extend somewhat into the lower-frequency range.)
• Many noises in restaurants and coffee shops

If you are troubled by speech noise in particular, and want to know what you can do against it, please also read my post Why Noise Cancelling Headphones Don&#;t Block Voices.

From Hz to Hz, that is high-frequency or treble noise, the Sony headphones and the Peltor X5A earmuffs reduced noise similarly well (with the earmuffs still having a slight edge).

• Screeching (e.g., from brakes), but also small hand-held vacuum cleaners, and several cricket and song bird species fall into this range.

How do the lighter NRR-25 earmuffs compare to the headphones?

Compared to the light NRR-25 Optime 98 earmuffs, the noise cancelling headphones had an even larger advantage with respect to low-frequency noise reduction.

Still, in the mid-frequency range from 500 to Hz, the earmuffs performed a lot better than the headphones.

For the range from Hz to Hz earmuffs and headphones performed virtually the same.

So apart from low-frequency noise, light NRR-25 earmuffs can go toe to toe with state-of-the-art noise cancelling headphones.

Wearing Comfort

Noise cancelling headphones are designed for wearing comfort while earmuffs are optimized for hearing protection.

The headband of noise reduction earmuffs exerts a larger clamping force than the headband of headphones. This is to ensure that the seal between ear pads and your head doesn&#;t break, regardless of how much you move your head.

I find earmuffs reasonably comfortable, but it does take some getting used to their snug fit.

In contrast, wearing a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones feels more like wearing soft pillows on the ears. You can truly forget that you are wearing them.

The cushioned headband is designed to exert as little pressure as possible while still holding the soft ear cushions in place and isolating your ears from the environment.

Also, I have never had a Bose headband dig into the top of my head, but with some earmuffs, the weight can make you feel the headband.

Durability and maintenance

Headband and ear cups

Noise cancelling headphones are a lot more delicate than earmuffs. The headband tends to have hinges, allowing you to fold them.

Also, it is often covered with soft faux leather or velvet and the ear cushions are made of a very soft protein leather.

If you just throw headphones in your backpack without a hard case and have them compete with other items for space, chances are that one day the ear cushions come out torn, or worse the headband or ear cups have cracked.

Not so with earmuffs: Many earmuffs have a steel-wire headband with a rubber- or plastic top that is very hard to break. The ear cups are made of a durable hard plastic, designed to absorb the force and wear and tear you would expect on a construction site.

Ear cushion wear and tear

The protein leather cushions of quality noise cancelling headphones are very soft but tend to deteriorate under sweat and heat (even when wiped regularly), with the top layer sometimes flaking off.

I have had to change my headphones&#; ear cushions about once a year.

Some people don&#;t like spending this extra money and I understand that.

On the other hand, I consider changing the cushions a good hygiene measure.

The ear cushions of earmuffs are often made of a soft plastic; they don&#;t absorb much sweat and can be cleaned with some water and soap.

However, after prolonged use in harsher conditions, their ear cushions can also become hard and the foam lining inside the cups gets dirty and deteriorates.

I have found that the better the foam is for isolation the faster it falls apart under heat, sweat and dirt.

So if you use them daily, you can expect to change the ear pads and foam lining of earmuffs once a year as well.

For hearing protection earmuffs aimed at professionals, brands like 3M and Honeywell offer hygiene kits, including the ear pads and the foam, for purchase.

Even for consumer models where they often don&#;t sell kits, contact them when your pads are spent. They might send you complimentary ones.

Unfortunately, for many no-name earmuffs no replacement ear pads are available.

These earmuffs are cheap, so it&#;s not that big of deal, but throwing them out still burdens the environment.

Given the much higher price for noise cancelling headphones, I recommend that you check that replacement ear cushions are available for purchase&#;if not from the manufacturer then at least from third parties.

Battery

Noise cancelling headphones need electricity to operate. Without juice you don&#;t get any of the excellent low frequency noise reduction.

Not so with passive noise reduction earmuffs. They rely on their ear cups, cushions and isolation foam for noise reduction.

Bluetooth earmuffs, radio earmuffs, and earmuffs that contain electronics to facility active listening and communication do need batteries, but it is almost always for their extra functionality, not noise reduction. So if you don&#;t turn them on, they still reduce noise.

Unfortunately, the rechargeable battery in most modern active noise cancelling headphones isn&#;t user replaceable anymore. This is a pity and limits for how long you can use them.

Note: previous generations of noise cancelling headphones often used AAA batteries and you could optionally buy rechargeable ones.

With electronic earmuffs there are various options: some models operate with AA- or AAA batteries, some offer an optional replaceable rechargeable battery, and others yet have a non-replaceable rechargeable battery pretty much like noise cancelling headphones.

Conclusion

For low-frequency noise reduction and wearing comfort, quality noise cancelling headphones are great. The best models also offer good passive noise isolation and reduce noise across the whole frequency spectrum.

When I want to focus or just reduce everyday noise, I find myself gravitating more and more towards noise cancelling headphones.

I dislike low frequency noise, but perhaps more importantly, ANC headphones are so comfortable that I can forget I am wearing them.

Also, I listen to a lot of lectures and audio in general.

However, in terms of overall noise reduction, these headphones are not better than the best passive earmuffs.

In fact, in the mid-frequencies they are outperformed even by lighter safety earmuffs.

The highest rated earmuffs still reduce all but low-frequency noise better than noise cancelling headphones.

So if you want to concentrate for a couple of hours, can&#;t stand the vacuum cleaner, blender etc., or just need something to keep you sane, passive earmuffs are an effective and inexpensive option.

To protect yourself against hazardous noise levels (e.g., in the workshop, on your mower, at the range&#;) use earmuffs or/and earplugs with a noise reduction rating.  If you want to listen to music while mowing your lawn, use a model with Bluetooth.

The same applies to protecting yourself and your child at loud events.

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