Special events are the perfect opportunity for families to spend time together enjoying music festivals, sporting events, air shows, and even firework displays.
As you pack your bags with snacks, sunglasses, and sunscreen, consider adding baby ear defenders to your list of “must-haves” for those fun Summer activities.
The whole family should be protecting their hearing in noisy environments, but this is especially true for small babies and young children.
We’ve put together a short buying guide for you, to take a look at some of the best options available today.
What Are the Best Baby Ear Defenders in the UK for 2024?
The best ear defenders for babies and young children to buy are:
1. Ems for Kids Baby Ear Defenders
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 27dB
- Suitable for Ages: Newborn babies up to 18 month old toddlers
- Weight: 120g, makes it the lightest option available
- Type of Fit: Adjustable velcro headband
- Foldable: Yes
- Design and Colour Options: Available in multiple headband designs (black, lemon floral, blue/white checks, army camo design , American stars and strips )
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking and passed U.S. (ANSI S3.19) standard
Ems for Kids are great option as they are unique compared to the other products we reviewed being newborn friendly with the adjustable forehead strap. We love the compact design for easy carry and travel. They will look good ear protection for your baby girl or boy.
2. Alpine Muffy Ear Defenders for Babies
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 23 dB
- Suitable for Ages: Newborn babies up to 36 months old toddlers
- Weight: 170g
- Type of Fit: Adjustable elasticated strap
- Foldable: Yes
- Design and Colour Options: Yes, three colour bands
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
3. Banz Baby Earmuffs
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 26dB
- Suitable for Ages: 3 month old babies up to 2 years old children
- Weight: 142g
- Type of Fit: Padded headband
- Foldable:
- Design and Colour Options: Wide variety of colours/designs
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking and passed U.S. (ANSI S3.19) standard
Banz Baby Earmuffs are very popular partly due to the large variety of colours and designs available for this product. Even though these ear defenders are recommended for use with children between the ages of 3 months and 2 years old. However, they have been safety tested on newborns, but be sure cups fully and snugly cover child’s ears. The lightweight headband coupled with well-cushioned ear cups reduce the amount of pressure on ears while maintaining effectiveness at blocking sound. Although Banz Baby Earmuffs are adjustable, they lack individual pivoting on the ear-cups, which some parents may find less comfortable for their child than some other options on the market. Lots of designs and colour options available.
4. Edz Kidz Ear Defenders
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 24.3dB
- Suitable for Ages: 6 month old babies and older
- Weight: 190g
- Type of Fit: Limited fit option
- Foldable:
- Design and Colour Options: Wide variety of colours/designs
Edz Kidz Ear Defenders are one of the most popular ear defender brand choices we could see online. You can even purchase carry bags, replacement pads, and mix and match end caps for a truly customisable set. They fold easily to fit in your hand, making them easy to carry along to concerts and sporting events. However, some buyers have complained that the material is a bit stiff and tight for their newborn child. They come in the widest variety of colours and designs on the market today.
5. Snug Safe n Sound Kids
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 25dB
- Suitable for Ages: 6 months babies and older toddlers
- Weight: 180g
- Type of Fit: Headband with foldable design and multiple adjustable fittings
- Foldable: Yes
- Design and Colour Options: Choose from fourteen colours (black, camo, aqua blue, green, blue, pink, purple, red, yellow, robots, cats, monster trucks, owls, or space)
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
Snug Safe n Sound Kids Ear Defenders come with a five year warranty and fold into a compact size that works well for storing and travel. They are adjustable and can be worn by infants, toddlers and young kids. They also appear a popular choice for those with autism.
6. Alpine Muffy Ear Defenders for Toddlers & Kids
No products found. No products found.Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 25db
- Suitable for Ages: 2 years & older
- Weight: 255g
- Type fo Fit: Padded headband
- Foldable:
- Design and Colour Options: Yes, six colour options
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
7. Mpow Kids Ear Defenders
No products found. No products found.Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 29db
- Suitable for Ages: 6 month old baby and older toddlers
- Weight: 188g
- Type fo Fit: Padded headband design with adjustable arms
- Foldable: Yes
- Design and Colour Options: Yes, up to 5 colour options
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
What we like about the Mpow Kids Ear Defenders model number HM068A is that it as padding all the way to the ear cups. This reduces the risk of your child feeling the adjustable stainless steel arms on the side of their head.
8. 3M PELTOR Kids Ear Muffs
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 27dB
- Suitable for Ages: 5+ years old
- Weight: 280g
- Type of Fit: Padded headband
- Foldable: No
- Design and Colour Options: Yes, from four colours (red, pink, blue, or neon green)
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
3M is a global leading brand in providing professional hearing protection for adults, and their expertise certainly shines in their Peltor “Little Prince” & “Little Princess” ear defenders for kids range. Buyers especially love how comfortable their children seem to be while wearing them for long periods of time. These ear defenders have wide sealing rings around the ear cups that are filled with a unique combination of fluid and foam for improved comfort and noise reduction. They are durable and well-made with low profile ear cups and no protruding parts.
9. Safetots Childrens Ear Protector
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 25db
- Suitable for Ages: If 6 months old or younger then very brief periods of time only
- Weight: 118g
- Type fo Fit: Adjustable headband
- Foldable: Yes
- Design and Colour Options: Yes, choose between four designs (Union Jack flag, Black Pirate, Green, Ladybird)
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
10. Vanderfields Ear Defenders
Key Features
- SNR Value: Reduces sound by up 26db
- Suitable for Ages: 3 years old or older children
- Weight: 200g
- Type fo Fit: Adjustable padded headband
- Foldable: Yes
- Design and Colour Options: Yes, up to eight colours to choose from
- Safety Certified: Yes, has European CE certified marking
How to Choose the Best Ear Defenders
With a variety of ear protection product choices currently on the market, finding the right ear defenders for babies and young children can be a daunting task.
Here are some key factors to consider in your search for the best ear defender options to buy:
1. SNR Value
SNR stands for, single number rating. The SNR value is a system as per the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 4869 certification. The higher the SNR value, the higher the level of noise attenuation provided by the ear protection.
For example, if the ear defenders have an SNR of 25dB, an environment with a noise level of 100 dB would be perceived as 75dB while wearing the gear.
Simply stated, a higher SNR means less noise for your little one and better protection.
2. Comfort/Fit
Look for ear defenders with adjustable headbands and ear cups designed to fit smaller ears. The fit should be snug, but not too tight, creating a protective seal from noise.
Make sure your child can move his/her head around without the ear defenders slipping or falling off. Extra padding and lightweight material are also great features to consider so your child is comfortable with wearing the gear for an extended period.
3. Colour/Style
If your child is old enough, have him/her pick the colour or design as you shop for the product. This not only helps ensure they’ll enjoy wearing it, but saves you money and time from having to return and purchase another set of ear defenders simply because your toddler refuses to wear green and prefers pink.
Bright colours are also convenient for spotting your child in a crowd at a festival or fireworks show.
4. Overall Value
Children grow so quickly that it’s best to invest in ear defenders that they can wear for as long as possible.
Consider price, quality, and age suitability when looking at overall value. How often do you plan on using the ear defenders? Are they made of durable material?
Some ear defenders on the market can be adjusted and worn by both toddlers and adults, depending on head size.
Only a few are specifically designed for newborns and young children up to age 2; this may be the best option for you. However, if you cannot find a product designed for babies and older children that fit your child well.
How to Get Children to Wear Ear Protection
No matter what type of ear defenders you choose, remember to make your purchase well before you plan on using them to give your child a chance to get accustomed to wearing the gear.
Have them wear the ear defenders for short periods of time at home until they’re comfortable enough to venture out in public with them on.
As children get older, they are less inclined to want to wear hearing protection. To help them develop and maintain good habits, set a good example by wearing ear defenders or ear plugs yourself while engaging in noisy activities.
Let older children choose the style of hearing protection they want to use. Most importantly, teach them the value of hearing, and help them to understand how loud noises can be harmful in the long run.
Why Make Children Wear Ear Defenders
NHS experts agree that safeguarding young ears is critical to ensuring their health and wellness in the long run.
A child’s ear canal is much smaller than that of an adult, creating greater pressure as sound enters the ear. As a result, an infant may perceive the same sounds at higher decibel levels than an older child or adult.
When To Use Children Ear Defenders
- If an environment is too noisy for an adult, chances are that it will be too loud for a child.
- Loud music festivals
- Firework displays
- Respite from common domestic noises e.g. lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, or power tools
- Children with autism, or sensory disorders, can also benefit greatly from the use of ear defenders
- Children with noise-related stress to help calm uneasy babies and toddlers in an otherwise stressful environment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Babies Need Ear Defenders for Fireworks?
Yes, small children should wear ear defenders for noises like fireworks because they are 145 decibels or greater in noise, which is above the 80 decibels maximum level deemed safe for babies.
Is a Cinema Too Loud for Baby?
Yes, movies in cinemas can be too loud for baby as a standard movie sound levels setting is the equivalent of 85 decibels with some levels up to 98 decibels reported by movie goers.
Can Loud Music Hurt a Baby’s Ears?
Yes, loud music can cause temporary injury to the hair cells of the cochlea of babies, especially sudden loud noise that can bypass the protective reflexes in the ear.