Traveling in an airplane is an uncomfortable and miserable experience for adults. Then how can we expect that babies with sensitive auditory systems can endure it? So the question is “Do babies need ear muffs for flying”?
The horrible taking-off noise of planes can dangerously trigger the auditory system of babies. If you are also going to travel with your baby, do consider packing an earmuff for your baby. With earmuffs on, you can protect your baby’s hearing.
Need of Earmuffs for Babies:
Baby are so sensitive to sound so while travelling in the airplane they must need the best headphone for airplane travel.
To Avoid Ear Pain:
If you have experienced air traveling before you can tell how awful and miserable noise pops in your ears when the plane is taking off or descends for landing. This noise is scary enough for adults. How do babies survive them?
The air pressure in the plane fluctuates continuously. And as the Eustachian tube (for regulating air pressure) of a baby’s auditory system is narrow and small. They tend to hear a lot more horrible noise than it is actually.
In this situation, the most we can do is to make this noise fade away from them. Which, the best option is to wear earmuffs. Earmuffs can block this noise to reach the baby’s ear which ultimately dodges the narcissist ear pain.
To protect the baby’s hearing:
The auditory system develops from age 0.2 months- 2 years and even after that it can’t resist very loud sound exposure. The noise of 85 Db continuously for eight hours can put a dangerous and permanent effect on a baby’s auditory system.
The normal conservational context of noise is 60 Db. The planes tend to make 110 Db of noise when taking off or descending for landing. This measure is quite high and can be a great risk for your baby.
What Causes Ear Pain During Flying?
As I already mentioned above that by achieving altitude, the air pressure inside the plane changes continuously. You can easily feel the changed pressure when your ears start aching. The feeling of fullness and popping in ears can be easily noticed.
The only way to cope with this is to introduce as much air as you can. The equalization between air pressure and plane pressure needs to be built which is done by a eustachian tube. The eustachian tube is responsible for regulating air pressure.
But the problem here arises is the Eustachian tube of babies is narrow and small. It doesn’t allow the air to pass through it freely. To put it easily, the baby’s auditory system is unable to equalize the pressure of air and plane. And long exposure to it causes pain in the ears.
Benefits of Wearing Ear Muffs for Babies While Flying:
Reduce noise:
Earmuffs are specifically designed for noise cancellation. They are paired with the best noise cancellation mics which block outside noises. This means the ears of your baby will be safe and protected from miserable noise if he/she is wearing earmuffs.
Ease to use:
As they block the outside noises, your baby can sleep and take a nap during long travels. They are comfortable to wear and made with soft material.
Reduce the risk of ear infection: The continuous push of high pressure of the plane to the eardrum can damage it. This damage sometimes leads to an ear infection. With earmuffs on, the risk of ear infection can be reduced.
Hearing protection:
The development of a newly developed auditory system of children is unable to equalize the air pressure. They are sensitive to loud voices and noises let alone the plane’s noise. Earmuffs are designed to ensure the safety of hearing of your baby.
How to Choose the Right Pair of Ear Muffs For Your Baby:
If you are curious about do babies need ear muffs for flying? and want to buy a good pair of earmuffs. So, there are some features that you need to check before buying airplane earmuffs for babies.
Noise cancellation:
What is your purpose in buying baby earmuffs? Of course, noise cancellation. So, the first thing that needs to check is its NRR. The total NRR needed to cancel the airplane noise completely is 23Db. Consider buying earmuffs that can provide you with 22-25 Db of NRR.
If you are also looking for earmuffs that have the best noise cancellation then 3M Kids earmuffs are for you. These headphones are considered the most comfortable. The ear cups are padded with layered noise-reduction foam, providing less pressure to the ears. The headband is very light weighted which will not be heavy for your child. They are paired with the best noise cancellation mics which offer 23 dB NRR (noise reduction rating). Which is far good enough.
Light weighted:
Babies can’t hold heavy headsets or earmuffs for a long time. Before buying a pair of earmuffs for your baby checks its weight. They should be light-weighted.
Adjustable headband:
Some babies have small heads some have big ones. So, it is recommended to thoroughly check the size of the headband before buying them. It would be great if they are offering an adjustable headband so you can use them for a long time.
Made with soft material:
Buy earmuffs that are made with a soft material so your baby could take a nap while wearing them. Hard material may not give them a comfortable sleep. Concerning this, BANZ Kids Headphones will be your best pick.
The most popular feature of these headphones is their size. They can easily fit 7 months of children to 3+ years of kids. They are paired with the best noise cancellation mics which can offer up to 28Db of NRR. This means even if your baby is sitting just near the loudspeaker, he will be excluded from the torturing sound coming out of it. Its headband is not adjustable and can open long as compared to other earmuffs.
What if My Baby Doesn’t Like Wearing Earmuffs?
What to do if your baby is not agreed with wearing earmuffs. Well, there is also a solution to this. The alternative earmuffs can be earplugs or cotton balls. But to note here is that they are just alternatives and are not able to give the same results as earmuffs. They can protect their ear to some extent but not completely. So it is important to buy earmuffs for your baby for airplane travel.
What other Accessories Can Be Used in Addition to Ear Muffs?
To make your baby’s experience better with earmuffs we come up with two ideas babies must need earmuffs for flying.
For more noise cancellation:
If your earmuff is not working well or if you want more protection, you can use earplugs and earmuffs together. But they both should be worn properly.
For more comfort:
If your earmuff is not comfortable enough or is not padded. You can put some foam, soft cloth, or other padded stuff under your earmuff. This where adds to the comfort, and they can also help in noise cancellation.
Tips on How to Make the Flight Experience More Comfortable For Your Baby:
Traveling by air can be a more scary and miserable experience for babies as compared to adults. To avoid inconvenience, here are some tips for you.
- Schedule your flight to the time when your baby takes his nap.
- Use a Pacifier or Bottle During Take off and when it descends for Landing.
- Distract them with toys or their favorite food.
- Try to make them sleep during the whole travel.
- Use earmuffs with the best noise cancellation.
FAQs:
How to protect baby ears during the flight?
Baby ears are sensitive to loud sounds let alone the horrible noise of the plane. Not only noise, but the pressure in the plane also put a great effect on the baby’s auditory system. To protect baby ears during flight, using earmuffs are the best option.
Best baby ear muffs for flying?
You should choose according to your needs and preferences. But to put it easily if you are looking for the best noise-cancellation earmuffs, 3M earmuffs and Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection would be a great pick.
If you are putting the comfort of your baby first, then you should check Banz earmuffs and Snag baby earmuffs.
Can flying damage a baby’s ears?
Flying for up to 5 hours without wearing earmuffs would damage the baby’s ears. They are not able to equalize the pressure and are also not used to such loud sounds. So it is better for the baby to use earmuffs while flying in Airplane.
What should a baby wear on a plane?
Try to keep as simple and comfy clothes as possible for traveling on a plane. Do not dress them in tight clothes. For summer, a onesie and a romper would be a good choice. If you are traveling in winter, add soft pants, tight leggings, and a sweater.
At what age can a baby wear earmuffs?
Baby earmuffs can be worn by babies of 0-8 months. Talking about kids’ earmuffs, the recommended age is from 6 months to mid-teens.
Are ear muffs worth it?
Good quality earmuffs that are paired with the best noise-cancellation mics and comfy material would be worth it. Your baby needs them.
What are the disadvantages of earmuffs?
Earmuffs can be annoying sometimes, especially in hot weather. They feel heavier and can become an obstacle during nap time.
What can I use instead of earmuffs?
If your baby is not agreed with wearing earmuffs, you can use cotton balls and earplugs. But they will not work as well as earmuffs.
Can earmuffs damage ears?
No, A good pair of earmuffs that comes with a comfort pack can be your baby’s best buddy during airplane travel.
Conclusion:
The articles about do babies need ear muffs for flying here concluded that having a pair of earmuffs with the best noise cancellation and comfort for air travel is a must tool. Airplane earmuffs for babies are specifically designed to cancel the horrible noise coming out of planes. So that the baby would not have to endure ear pain or a damaged auditory system.
For your baby’s good don’t forget to pack the best pair of earmuffs before traveling on the plane with your baby because they need them.