For those with autism, noise is perceived differently. It makes it very difficult to concentrate and act normally when there is a loud noise in the background. To help an autistic child or adult have proper control even in places of loud noise, the use of headphones comes into play. And so in this article, we have the best headphones for autistic adults and kids. You can both find the best active and passive noise canceling headphones from our list.
In a hurry to find out what the best headphones for autistic adults and children are? Top rated for kids kids with autism in 2024 is the MONODEAL Kids Active Noise Cancelling Headphones. They use ANC tech and are compatible with every smart device. Top rated for autistic adults are the Master and Dynamic MW65 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones. They use dual-mode active noise cancellation and are very comfortable to wear.
Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids with Autism: Comparison Table
BEST RATED  |
MONODEAL Kids Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
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RUNNER UP  |
Mpow Kids Ear Protection
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ALTENG Active Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids
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Best Music Headphones for Adults with Autism: Quick Comparison
EDITOR'S CHOICE  |
Master and Dynamic MW65 Noise Cancelling Wireless
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RUNNER UP  |
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
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Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid ANC Headphones
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Noise Cancelling Headphones for Autistic Kids and Adults 2024: Reviews
1. MONODEAL Kids Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Best Noise Canceling Headphones For Autistic Child
Our top choice of best headphones for autistic kids is this MONODEAL Kids Active Noise Cancelling Headphones.
With these special needs headphones, your kid can mute loud sounds such as those from traffic, fireworks, airports, and the likes thanks to the built-in Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
Its compatibility with a variety of devices also makes it ideal and improves user experience.
The design allows for it to be folded, making it easy to be carried and stored without risk of damage. It’s also adjustable to fit every head shape and ear size.
The padded cushion in the earpiece provides maximum comfort even after prolonged use. so your kid can put this on for as long as is needed without feeling pain or tired.
There is an 18-month warranty to help take care of your worries. The rechargeable lithium battery is inbuilt and supports up to 20 hours of use.
Pros
- ANC technology
- Compatible with every smartphone and tablet
- Foldable and easy to carry
- Soft ear cushion for comfort
- 18-month warranty
- Rechargeable battery
Cons
- Has a wired connection design that some kids or parents might not prefer
2. Master and Dynamic MW65 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
Best Noise Canceling Headphones For Autistic Adults
The Master and Dynamic MW65 ANC Headphones present you with a dual-mode active noise cancellation technology.
Depending on your environment, you can choose between high and low modes on this autistic headphone.
The high mode is for very noisy areas such as airports, city streets, and so on. While the low mode is for windy days, or when you want to cancel noise passively.
The 24 hours battery life allows you to do a lot without having to worry about charging too soon. So you can go on that trip, and stay in school for as long as you need with your special needs headphones right by you.
Being lightweight, you won’t get fatigued with long use. The fine leathers used don’t hurt your ears but makes you feel comfortable with use.
Pros
- Dual-mode active noise cancellation
- Up to 24 hours battery life
- Lightweight
- Soft leather used
- Great sound quality
- Special needs headphones
Cons
- Microphone performance could be better
3. ALTENG Active Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids
Second Best Headphones For Kids With Autism
This ALTENG active noise canceling headphone is engineered to help your autistic kid deal with noise in the environment.
The built-in active noise cancellation circuitry constantly measures and reacts to outside noise so that it cancels the noise.
This way, your kid can be in any scenario and remain calm and focused.
You have two options; either to use the headphone as a noise-canceling device, or as a common headset.
Either way, great value is promised. The battery is easy to recharge and gives you up to 20 hours of working time.
This noise canceling headphones for kids with autism is compact and lightweight and can be folded up for easy storage.
The leather on the ear cup is soft for comfort during long hours of use. the sound quality is also top-notch so that even if your kid chooses to listen to music or an audiobook, the best experience is what they get.
Pros
- Custom designed for kids of 3 and above
- Compatible with smartphones and tablets
- Child friendly
- Active noise cancelling
- Safe volume-controlled technology
- Sound blocking headphones for autism
Cons
- They could be more durable
4. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Second Best Headphones For Adults With Autism
Bose gives you more control over noise cancellation with the 11 levels of active noise cancellations.
And so you can enjoy more with less noise for your comfort and focus.
When used for music, only fine detail us what you get. The crystal clear and deep bass makes your music experience a more enjoyable one.
You can also make calls with the headphone and get fine detail. Even when in a noisy environment, the microphone system ensures that you still sound clear on calls.
By being compatible with assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, you can stay in control without having to reach for your phone.
The lightweight stainless steel used makes it comfortable to wear these headphones for hours without getting tired or uncomfortable. With up to 20 hours of battery life, you can do a lot without having to worry about recharging.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- 11 levels of active noise cancellation
- Listen to Spotify with one-touch
- Clear and high-quality sound
- Great for calls
- Great choice of noise reducing headphones for adults with autism
Cons
- Doesn’t fold
5. Mpow Kids Ear Protection
Budget Noise Canceling Headphones For Kids With Sensory Issues
These Mpow Kids Ear Protection earmuffs work to protect your kid’s ears from the damage of loud noises. They are also great for use with autistic kids as they greatly reduce noise and helps with concentration.
They are made using premium materials that ensure comfort and protection when worn all year round.
The headband is flexible and allows for extension depending on the head size.
This makes them very convenient for you to purchase without worrying too much about them being the perfect fit for your child.
The comfortable and soft ear pads fit perfectly close to the child’s ears without putting too much pressure there. So the noise gets blocked out without any compromise to comfort.
Depending on your child’s needs, the ear cups can be rotated 3600 for even better flexibility.
Pros
- Made using superior quality materials
- Comfy headband
- Rotatable ear cups
- Affordable noise canceling headphones for kids with sensory issues
- Blocks out loud noise
Cons
- Not for music
6. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid ANC Headphones
Budget Music Headphones For Adults With Autism
The Anker Soundcore headphones let you listen to music the way you should thank for its Hi-Res audio.
With the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers, your music is produced with the best detail and perfect clarity to ensure a premium user experience.
These headphones also noise-canceling, so they are perfect for autistic adults.
They have active noise canceling feature to cancel out both low and mid-range frequency noises.
For a better music experience, the customized algorithm performs analysis on your musk and determines where hard beating beats would be needed. You then get the required bass so you can enjoy your songs perfectly.
Apart from its noise cancelation and music feature, you can also make and receive calls with these headphones. The microphone used lets you sound crystal clear on the other end as you communicate.
Connection is by Bluetooth, making it convenient to use in various situations.
Pros
- Reduces noise by up to 90%
- 100% stronger bass when needed
- Up to 40 hours of playtime
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Headphones for sensory overload
Cons
- Can’t use the headphone in wired mode
What to Look for in Noise Reduction Headphones for Autism
Noise Reduction
When looking for headphones for autistic kids or adults, you have the choice of noise reduction and noise canceling. Your preference for one over another depends on its use.
If you would be using the headphones in public places such as on the road, you would need to use noise-reducing headphones.
Noise-canceling headphones would be useful if you are stationary in a noisy environment. Read also: Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds For Autism 2024 and Best Misophonia Headphones & Earphones 2024
Noise Reduction Rating
The noise reduction rating tells how good your headphones are at blocking out external noise. A good rating for headphones is within the range of 20 to 26. So when making a purchase, look out for this.
Soft Design
Especially if the headphones are for kids, the design has to be a soft one. This makes it safe with no risk of injuries. So when examining the product, check that the edges and corners are soft and show no risk of bruising the skin or inflicting any form of injury to you or your child.
Earmuffs On the Outside of the Ear
Most people prefer to use headphones with earmuffs that go over the ears as opposed to those that go into the ears. Since the headphones would be worn for long durations, go for a design that you would be comfortable with wearing over time.
Padded Headband
A padded headband makes the wearer more comfortable even with prolonged use. So for that extra comfort that can make all the difference, choose a product that has a padded headband.
Proper Clamping Force
While the clamping force of headphones is very important to ensure that it stays in place when worn, it should be within safe limits. This is because too much clamping force would make you uncomfortable especially after prolonged usage.
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) vs Passive Noise Cancelling
Active noise canceling in headphones is an advanced technology that cancels out external noise. This is achieved through the generation of sound waves that cancel out incoming sound so that they cancel each other out.
This way, there is even better sound control and noise cancellation. The ANC function requires a battery to function.
Passive noise canceling on the other hand works with the traditional way of canceling or reducing noise; covering the ears. Their effectiveness is measured using the Noise Reduction Rating.
The higher the NRR rating, the better the noise cancellation. And so if you have an earmuff with a 20 NRR, it means that it reduces every incident noise by 20 decibels.
Final Thoughts About Best Noise Blocking Headphones for Autism
The problems that come with autism can be greatly controlled if triggers are prevented and put in check. One of such ways is with the use of the best headphones for autistic adults and children. The headphones reviewed here promise great performance as they provide both active and passive noise canceling, wireless as well as wired.
If you are in search of the best noise-canceling headphones for autistic kids, the MONODEAL Kids Active Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great buy. The top-rated headphones for adults with autism are Master and Dynamic MW65 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones. All products promise great performance and comfort with use.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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