Did you watch the Atypical Netflix series about this brilliant young high school student who wanted to start dating?
His name was Sam Gardner and in the Netflix series Sam is trying to fall in love with his schoolmates.
One notable thing about Sam is that he is always wearing this black set of Bose noise-canceling headphones. The headphones are to help him concentrate on the task ahead especially when other students are too noisy at school or when he is going home on a bus.
The bose headphones also help him from fidgeting since when he is in an environment that could make him get a meltdown, all he has to do is listen to some soothing music to calm him down.
Noise-canceling headphones are a necessity for anyone with autism. These headphones help autistic students focus in class without being distracted by the outside world.
Without noise-cancelling technology, people on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very easily distracted and this could affect their ability to study or learn. Noise-canceling headphones create an environment that is comfortable for those who need them most!
Other than autism, noise-canceling headphones are good for people who have difficulty filtering out noise. You probably have seen sportsmen wearing them since they want to cancel out the distracting noise from fans.
People training how to shoot would also need to wear noise-canceling headphones. Factory workers such as welders also need to wear noise-canceling headphones to protect their ears since their working environment has a high decibel of noise.
Sensory overload could happen when a person is unable to filter out the sounds of their environment and this can be overwhelming, especially in busy classrooms where there may be noisy classmates nearby, lots of white noise from fans or air conditioners, and even chatter from teachers giving directions.
There are two types of noise-blocking headphones: those that use active noise-cancelling technology(ANC headphones) vs those that muffle outside noise using an over-ear padding design (Noise Reduction headphones).
Active noise-cancelling headphones use a microphone to create sound waves that counter and eliminate outside noises, while noise reduction headphones with over-ear padding design create an environment where sounds can’t enter or leave.
The best noise-cancelling headphone for someone with autism is likely one that offers active noise cancellation technology which would provide more relief from distracting sensory input during school hours. They are however much more expensive and would therefore not be a good pick for someone who is on a tight budget.
It is also important to note that no headphone will be able to cancel out all outside noise. All they do is muffle out a certain percentage of the noise.
Best Noise-cancelling headphones for students with autism
We will now look at the best noise-cancelling headphones for students with autism. Let’s dig right into them:
3m Peltor over-the-head earmuffs, NRR 31dB
These earmuffs are great for people with autism and other sensory processing disorders because they completely cover the ears to provide noise cancellation, which is perfect since those on the spectrum often have a difficult time ignoring outside noises.
Related: Bluetooth headphones for autism
They are comfortable will replaceable cushions so that you can always use a clean cushion everytime.
The 3M Peltor can muffle out up to 31dB of outside noise. It can therefore be used by students who are in noisy classes and find it hard to concentrate.
The downside of these headphones include that they are heavy and bulky so it might be hard for some people to wear them for long periods of time.
Professional Safety Ear Muffs by Decibel Defense – 37dB NRR Noise Reduction Rating
This product is lightweight and durable making it a great pick for autistic students looking for a solution for their auditory sensory overload.
It passes the ANSI S3.19 & CE EN 352-1 rating.
It has an NRR of 37dB which will help students with autism block out the noise in their classroom. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods as well, making them a great choice if you have difficulty wearing heavier headphones or earmuffs.
The downside to this product is that it is not suitable for children because it does not go over kids’ ears.
It also doesn’t offer the best protection against noise as they only reduce 37dB of outside sound, so some sounds can still come in from time to time.
If you have small earholes then this product might be a good choice, but if your ears are larger then you might want to skip these.
Master & Dynamic Wireless active noise-canceling headphones
The Master &Dynamic ANC headphones are a great option if you want the best noise cancelling available for students.
The Master and Dynamic company has been producing high quality audio equipment for over 120 years, so they have experience in this field as well as knowledge of what to look for in a noise cancelling headphone.
The ANC headphones are not very affordable, but they are worth every coin you pay for them because of their quality material and design. You can travel with the Master & Dynamic ANC headphones anywhere and still be able to focus on studying or work without being interrupted by outside noises.
These types also come with a built-in microphone for answering calls, so if you have a job like being an Uber driver or Lyft driver and can’t use the phone while driving then these would be perfect for that.
They are also great for music with their bluetooth adaptability.
Mpow noise reducing headphones 34dB
The Mpow noise canceling headphones have passed the Ansi S3. 19 & CE en352-1 rating. They are great for students since they are able to reduce 34dB of outside noise.
The Mpow noise cancelling headphones are lightweight and come in four different colors: black, blue, green, and red. They’re perfect for anyone who needs some peace and quiet while working on their studies. They are also worn by people who are mowing, welding or travelling on the plane.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
The Bose noise cancelling headphones are designed to be as comfortable and lightweight as possible.
Just like the Master & Dynamic headphones, they use active noise cancellation technology. They can reduce low frequency noises like engine or machine noise, so they would work well in the library reading room where people often study on their laptops.
With 11 levels of noise reduction, you are sure to get the right level of ANC that will allow you to study in peace.
After a single charge, the bose can go for 20 hours non-stop before you are required to recharge it.
Skullcandy Venue ANC over-ear headphone
These headphones are specifically designed for students.
Classy outlook yet low cost.