Listening to music is one of the acclaimed pass times globally. Majority of people on the planet use headphones for a variety of reasons, such as stimulation during working out. However, listening to high or low frequencies for long periods of time could have detrimental effects on hearing health. It is therefore important to use headphones responsibly to avoid getting hearing loss. Ear protection is thus crucial in preventing ear damage.
What Are Hearing Protection Headphones?
From the wording itself, we can deduce that these are meant for protecting the ears from loud sounds by noise reduction. Noise reduction ear muffs have the function of blocking unwanted audio. They can be used when operating heavy machineries such as bulldozers and excavators. They can also be used in a shooting range by army personnel and police persons. The noise produced by firearms is extremely loud, and using earmuffs greatly reduces about 10 decibels. This equals 10 times in sound pressure level.
Ear muffs block loud noises in noisy environments. The only downside to ear muffs is that some of the ear cups can cause ear fatigue when worn for a long time. An ergonomic headband is meant to offer maximum comfort for persons using them. They are adjustable to fit every head size so that they are not too tight, thus causing comfort. When talking about noise reduction rating or NRR rating, it is worth noting that the higher the NRR rating, the higher the effectiveness in reducing noise.
Noise reduction ear muffs work great when doing yard work, hunting and when your teenage child would like to shut you out by listening to loud music. The latest designs have corrected the problem that ear muffs had. The headbands now have soft padding that reduces the pressure on your head and makes ear muffs very comfortable to use. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right noise reduction earmuffs. We have reviewed the best ones for you.
What are the best hearing protection headphones?
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Best Hearing Protection Headphones?
1) Ear Defenders Adult Protection Ear Muffs
- MOST SOLID PROTECTION - Vanderfields DBPRO44 has an Official 32dB NRR and reduces up to...
- GREAT FOR EVERY SITUATION - Ideal to block out noises caused by Airports, Shootings,...
- EXTREME COMFORT - Lightweight and extremely comfortable to carry around due to the...
- PERFECT FIT - Perfect for Your ears and offers an Enjoyable fit! Strong & High Quality...
- WE STAND BY YOUR SIDE - Vanderfields offers High Quality Protection Products. Our team is...
This is foldable pair of noise reduction ear muffs that comes in a variety of colors. They are used by elite military forces because they have really good protection. Vanderfields has 32dB NRR and reduces up to 125dB, which is ideal for ear protection. They are great for everyday use, such as using heavy machinery, noisy environments, fireworks, gun range room and other noise-causing elements. These headphones are also lightweight and easy to carry due to the foldable design.
They fit snugly on your ears as well as have an adjustable headband to accommodate all head sizes. In addition, they are made from high-quality materials that make them strong and durable. Loud noises are often underestimated. These noises of above 125dB can cause permanent hearing loss and even deafness. Hence, it is very important to make sure you wear these headphones to protect yourself from early-onset deafness.
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2) ProCase Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs
- ProCase Ear Protection with soft padded headband reduces the pressure on your head for...
- Constructed by solid ABS-shell and thickened noise-dampening foam, the ear muffs offer a...
- Adjustable headband and 360°rotatable ear cups with comfortable foam can be adjusted to...
- Compact folding design for easy storage and convenient portability; the noise-canceling...
- The stylish shooter hearing protectors are ideal for shooting,airplane flight, sports...
Ranking at 4.5 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon, this product has an NRR 28dB. It is designed using solid ABS-shell and thickened noise-dampening foam, which blocks out high amounts of noise. You are still, however, able to be aware of your surroundings without it being too loud. These ear muffs also consist of a 360-degree ear cups rotation feature that comes in handy for use by both adults and children. They also have a foldable design feature that works really well to fit into small spaces for maximum portability.
These noise reduction ear muffs have a variety of uses, such as studying in noisy environments among loud students. They can as well be used in landscaping where a person has to use loud machinery such as power saws. In addition to this, they offer great uses for sporting events and hunting. Also, to remember, these earmuffs are ideal for use in a gun shooting range. Needless to say, they are perfect for ear protection.
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3) PROHEAR 037 Safety Noise Reduction Ear Muffs
- EXTREMELY SMOOTH BLUETOOTH 5.0 TECHNOLOGY: The connection to the phone is smoother, faster...
- BOTH ENTERTAINMENT AND HEARRING PROTECTION: Not only does it have a very high noise...
- WORK SAFELY AND COMFORTABLE: IDEAL FOR building, lawn mowing, woodworking, landscaping,...
- EASY-TO-USE-CONTROLS: Easy-to-use controls: With the help of “raised part”, you will...
- PROHEAR PROTECTS YOUR HEARING AND GIVES YOU THE BEST SERVICE: PROHEAR037 comes with a...
These stylish earmuffs have a high noise reduction level of up to NRR 25dB for ear protection. It also gives you a clear sound when listening to music. Additionally, it has an 1100 a milliamp-hour lithium battery equipped with a rechargeable battery that has very high charging speeds. Equipped with a 5.0 Bluetooth technology that has a better connection that allows you to listen to music without interruptions. The prohear noise reduction ear muffs have smart controls that allow you to switch songs and answer calls easily.
These sleek hearing protection headphones have a comfortable headband and breathable ear pads that allow you to be wearing them on for long. This makes your work more fun. In addition, there are a couple of accessories that they come with; a charging cable, a black leather back and a set of instructions to help you set up easily. They are ideal for various uses, which are; for use during construction building and woodworking while operating heavy machinery.
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4) 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector
- NRR of 24 dB (Noise Reduction Rating)*
- BLUETOOTH WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY lets you seamlessly stream entertainment from your mobile...
- HIGH-FIDELITY SPEAKERS provide premium sound quality
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE lets you make and take phone calls without removing the hearing...
- CORD AND ANTENNA-FREE design lets you move easily on the job
These noise-reduction ear muffs use Bluetooth technology to allow you to listen to high-fidelity speakers provide high-quality sound. They can be connected to your phone and allow you to navigate your music without interruptions. They also have integrated microphones that let you answer phone calls easily and hang up as well. This amazing pair of noise reduction earmuffs help to protect your hearing. They are also comfortable to wear and have an adjustable headband that is ideal for a snug fit.
In addition, they have a built-in rechargeable battery with auto shut-off and a low-battery indicator that can save you. Another cool feature present in these hearing protection muffs is soft, comfortable ear cushions and low-profile cups for a great fit. These could not get better! They come with a replaceable gel ear cushions for hygiene purposes. Moreover, these muffs have AA batteries and an optional lithium battery pack.
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5) Dr.meter Kids Noise Reduction Earmuffs
- 【Soft & Comfortable】: Dr.meter kids Earmuffs are made of high density sponge on the...
- 【Adjustable Headband】: The adjustable headband makes it possible to cover any head...
- 【Mighty Noise Reduction】: Armed with rugged ABS shell and thickened noise reduction...
- 【Authorized Certification】: Double certification, double your peace of mind! Dr.meter...
- 【Various Occasions Available】: Fancy for a gorgeous firework show, football match or...
We chose this design specifically for your little ones with auditory problems. These ear muffs are designed by a variety of brands; however, Dr.meter kids are friendly and comes in bright, fun colors. They are tailored for smaller ears, comfortability and safety. They are also almost always in stock for you and your child's convenience. With a 27NRR noise reduction rating, they are ideal for dampening loud noise caused by large crowds.
Your child is able to access a normal life without everything too deafening. On the other hand, they are also able to carry out conversations for long due to the snug, comfortable and padded ear cushions. The sound amplification on these ear muffs is great, whereby they can hear you clearly but still have the hearing protection. They have 360-degree rotation and can thus be folded fully to fit in small spaces as well as being lightweight.
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Factors To Consider Before Purchasing Protection Headphones
a) Compatibility
One factor to consider is if the earmuffs you are about to purchase have Bluetooth compatibility with other devices that you own. It should be easy to set up with Bluetooth devices such as a phone, speakers and other personal protective devices like Howard Leight wirelessly. If they are unable to complete this, then they might not be right for you. An example of good ear muffs that have Bluetooth technology is the PRO HEAR 037 safety noise ear muffs.
They have 5.0 Bluetooth technology that is compatible with most devices and have smart controls as well as fast charging speeds. They also have a 360-degree rotation feature that allows you to fold them and store them in small spaces. These ear muffs have an 1100 mah Lithium battery with an in-built rechargeable battery. These earmuffs do not require a power source to function because they have ear pads that have noise dampening in them.
b) Cost
The majority of noise reduction ear muffs are affordable, ranging from $14 to $45. This is because there are all good quality and durable for a long time as well as fulfilling their purpose, which is noise reduction. However, if you wish to splurge on a really high-quality pair of earmuffs, there are some that go for up to $63. Although some brands design earmuffs that have qualities that others do not. In this case, Vanderfields brands have earmuffs that have an NRR rating of 32dB. This is perfect for ear-splitting noises.
As an added bonus, these earmuffs only go for $14, which is not a lot of money for such a high noise reduction rating. The sound amplification on them is also really good as you can hear everything out of your ears, but not that it's too deafening. Moreover, their foldable low profile design enhances proper ear protection. Finally, for an added $11 from your account, you can purchase two headphones by the Dr.meter kid brand. This is a great deal that is for the benefit of your child.
c) Comfortability
It is very important to own earmuffs that are comfortable enough to wear for a long time. Therefore, they need to have features that make them easy to wear and fit well. The procase noise reduction earmuffs have a couple of great features that make them very comfortable. They are made using solid ABS-shell and thickened noise-dampening two-layer foam that has blocking properties. They also have a movable headband that ensures comfortability.
Wearing these pair of earmuffs saves you from hearing high and low frequencies that could lead to permanent hearing loss. Notice that these earmuffs cancel unwanted deafening sounds, which makes them very comfortable. In addition, the procase noise reduction earmuffs reduce pressure levels from your head which reduces discomfort. They also have a 360-degree rotation which comes in handy for both children and adults.
d) Noise Cancellation
Noise reduction rating is important to consider before purchasing earmuffs. They should also have good sound amplification to allow the user to hear other people and make conversations. High decibels of a range of between 85dB to 125dB, such as a lawnmower, are considered very high sounds. They have the ability to cause permanent hearing loss even if they are listened to for a short time. Therefore, it is important to purchase earmuffs that cancel noise and protect your ears.
Therefore getting earmuffs that have a good NRR rating such as 28 to 32dB should be good for you. You should be able to hear people and machinery but not have the noise part that makes it uncomfortable to hear. Vanderfields protection earmuffs have an NRR of 32dB, which makes them a really good choice for earmuffs. They have good noise reduction. Taking into account the fact that noise can literally cause deafness and even death in small children, these earmuffs could be of great help.
e) Quality
Noise reduction earmuffs need to be of high quality. There are ample ear protection devices that you could use depending on the function. Everyone's ear is different and should thus be treated as such. You need to have maximum ear protection as well as safety. In order to find the perfect hearing device, you need to ensure that your choose earmuffs that fit well. This could mean that you need to get custom-fit earmuffs.
Regardless of how versatile earmuffs are, if you have used a couple that either do not fit well enough for long periods, it is advisable to get a custom fit device. First, an impression of your ear canal and outer ear are taken, and a device that is meant for you is made. This is to say, if you already suffer from partial hearing loss, these devices are for you. However, in the case that you do not have a problem with hearing and would still like custom earmuffs, go for it!
f) Personal preference
After a lot of consideration in determining the best earmuffs for you, it is time to make a choice. You have taken into consideration factors like comfortability and function; it boils down to personal preference. You have to choose a pair that will save you some money, have great audio and has to be in stock. Another key aspect is you have to hear surrounding sounds as well as listen to music. The earmuffs you choose also need to have in-built microphones to allow answering calls.
Wearing your earmuffs of choice should feel comfortable the moment you wear them and should not feel heavy. They should also have the ability to function well in your room as well. It all boils down to your personal preference. It could be the color of the earmuffs that attracts you to them, or it could even be the overall style of the headphones. However, we hope that you consider all these factors along with your personal preference and purchase the right earmuffs for you.
How To Use Hearing Protection Earmuffs
- Hold the earplug with your finger and gently roll it into a cylindrical shape with your finger and thumb.
- With your other hand, pull your outer ear up, giving way for the earplug to fit. Remember, you are still rolling the plug with your other hand. It needs to be smooth with no depressions.
- Put in the earplug and hold it as it expands to fit into your ear perfectly. It is made of polyurethane and hence can expand.
- In order to tell whether your earplugs work or not, cup your hands over your ears and remove them after a couple of seconds. There should be a dampening of sound by the earplugs.
- When you are ready to remove the earplugs, slowly twist them and pull them out gently. This extra precaution is to ensure you do not damage your ear canal.
Bottom Line
After going through this article and learning about the different types of earmuffs, their prices and the array of features, you should have already decided what kind you want. Consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of these devices. Know what the NRR of each earmuff is in relation to noise cancellation and the functions you would want it to have. In so doing, you should definitely be able to determine what you want based on accurate facts. Therefore choosing the best earmuffs for you.
