How Do I Choose the Best Baby Headphones?

Whether you wish to shield your baby from loud noises or intend to let him listen to music without disturbing others, you will need baby headphones. These are smaller than adult headsets and also tend to have other features that set them apart, which is why you should carefully consider a few details before you buy. For example, you should make sure the headphones are compatible with the device with which you plan to use them. You also should look for the most comfortable headset for your baby. Additionally, try to avoid baby headphones that may damage the child's hearing or become a choking hazard.

One of the main details to think about is the reason you are buying the headphones. For example, if your goal is to allow your baby to listen to music without disturbing other people, you should look for baby headphones that are compatible with a variety of electronics that play music, such as personal CD and mp3 players. If you plan to let your baby watch television or movies while wearing the headphones, look for the kind that can plug in to televisions, DVD players or computers so you have several platforms from which to choose. If, on the other hand, your main objective is to shield your baby from loud noises, allowing him to sleep or remain peaceful despite disturbing sounds around him, you will need noise-cancelling headphones so all he hears is silence.

Comfort is another major factor to consider when choosing baby headphones, because few babies will tolerate wearing accessories that are uncomfortable. To do this, consider whether your baby would best tolerate headphones that fit in the ears or wrap over the head and cover the ears. If you choose the latter, you should look for headphones that are adjustable so they are not uncomfortably tight and not loose enough to fall off. You also may consider buying baby headphones that have extra padding on the ear cups so they are soft around your baby's head. If you choose earbuds instead, you should make sure they fit perfectly in your baby's ears for best results.

You also should think about your baby's safety when you shop for baby headsets. You do not want to risk damaging your child's hearing ability because of extra loud sounds, which is why you are advised to seek headphones that feature volume control. Some baby headphones only reach a limited volume, typically about 85 decibels, so damaging the ears with loud sounds is nearly impossible. Another safety issue that some baby earplugs pose is the fact that they are often are small enough to be considered a choking hazard. For this reason, you may want to consider earplugs that come with a headband to keep the plugs in the ears or stick with baby headsets that feature ear cups instead of small plugs.