The very first ear muffs were invented by Chester Greenwood in Maine back in 1873. One cold day in December, Greenwood made wire rings that had circular ends. He then asked his grandmother to sew beaver fur/flannel pads on its ends.

The entire thing was supposed to wrap around his head. This product was the very first type of kids ear muffs. It was rudimentary, but it worked quite well.

At first, his friends made fun of his new earpieces. But it didn’t take long for everyone to see the real value of his new ear protectors. Later on, almost everyone in town was wearing one. Little did they know that this novel invention was going to make their family rich.

Fast Forward to the Present

Ear muffs today have evolved into something more than the rudimentary design that Chester Greenwood originally had in mind. There are several kinds of ear muffs today, depending on their specific functions.

There are thermal ear muffs that keep your ears warm, apart from muffling loud noises. Neck ear muffs go over the back of the neck instead of over the head for better comfort. On the other hand, acoustic ear muffs are the best type for tuning out noises in the higher registries.

Ear muffs also vary in design depending on the user’s age. There are adult ear muffs, infant ear muffs, and kids ear muffs. The biggest ones are for adults, and the smallest muffs are for infants. Note that kid’s ear muffs are for ages six months onwards.

Choosing the Best Kids Ear Muffs

Not all ear muffs will be best suited for your child, since each child’s needs are different. The following is a step by step guide on how you can choose the best ones for your kids.

Step 1– Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

You need to check the noise reduction rating of the ear muffs that you intend to buy. You should choose the one with the appropriate NRR rating. This rating depends on the type of noise that your child will be exposed to.

If you’re dealing with the regular loud noises in the house, the minimum would be a rating of 20 dB or higher. The NRR rating should match the noise level that your child will be exposed to. 

For instance, if you’re taking your kids to a rugby game where the crowd can be totally noisy, you should get kids ear muffs that have an NRR rating of more than 20. We suggest that it should be at least 26 dB or higher.

Step 2–Choose the Right Size and Style

Many types of kids ear muffs come with adjustable headbands. However, you shouldn’t expect the bands to fit just any head. Some of them are even smaller than the others. Always check the dimensions of the bands when ordering online.

The bands may also be made of different materials. Some are made of metal, while others are made of some type of thermoplastic. Get the one that won’t irritate your child.

You should also check the material used for the cushion cup that goes over each ear. Make sure that it is not made of any material that your child may be allergic to.

Step 3–Price and Other Requirements

Finally, you need to check the price. Some ear muffs for kids are just way too expensive. Some kids are more sensitive to noise than others, so check out the global safety standards that the product has been certified for, such as ANSI S3.19 and EN352-1:2002.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ear muffs for your kids might take a little bit of effort. But if you take the time to choose the right one, you are ensuring your children’s health and safety.