Kid-Proof Sound: The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Perfect Headphones for Your Little Ones

[IT동아 한만혁 기자] Children nowadays often use mobile devices. Search for various information or watch videos. Educational apps also supplement learning gaps. Even in academies, students can complete additional learning activities or assignments via apps.

One of the things that worries children when using mobile devices is the sound. This is because it is difficult to set the appropriate volume. Especially if used outdoors, for example in a restaurant, if you turn down the volume, your child will complain that he can’t hear, while if you turn up the volume he will annoy the people around him. This is difficult because hearing sounds is important for language learning apps.

In these cases, it is recommended to use children’s headphones together. This is because you can hear the sound at a sufficient volume without causing any harm to those around you. It is convenient because you don’t have to worry about household noise in the house. Additionally, distracted children can stay focused on their mobile devices.

There are several children’s headphones available on the market. There are also products that emphasize cuteness by applying characters or attaching animal ears. However, you shouldn’t choose children’s headphones based on their design alone. This is because children’s headphones have special hidden features. This is the volume limit function. This feature is why we recommend kids headphones instead of regular headphones.

When choosing headphones for children, you should check the volume limit function. Source = Shutterstock

The volume limit feature limits the maximum volume of a mobile device to 85 dB. No matter how much you increase the volume, only sound below 85 dB will be produced. The volume limiting function protects children’s hearing. Children have more sensitive hearing than adults. Sounds that may not be very bothersome to adults can be irritating to children.

Continuous exposure to these irritating sounds can damage your hearing. In severe cases, it can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. That’s why we limit the volume to 85 dB or less. When choosing headphones for children, the first thing to check is the volume limiting function.

For reference, 85 dB is the maximum volume recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The Korean Occupational Safety and Health Law also defines work that generates more than 85 dB of noise for 8 hours a day as “noisy work”. For reference, a sound level of 85 dB is just possible for an everyday conversation at a distance of 1 meter.

In addition to the volume limit feature, it’s a good idea to check the size, weight, wireless connection, and microphone. Source = Shutterstock

When choosing headphones for children, you should also consider size and weight. If the headphones are too big or heavy, your child will feel uncomfortable. It could fall easily. It is slightly smaller than ordinary headphones, has freely adjustable dimensions and is made of plastic to reduce weight. For reference, it is recommended that the weight is less than 150g. You should also make sure that the headband bends well and that the area that contacts your head and ears is soft and thick enough to reduce the risk of breakage.

Additionally, wireless headphones for kids are better than wired ones. Considering the tendency of children to continue to move and not be able to maintain a position for long, we recommend wireless headphones that do not get in the way even when they move freely. In the case of wireless headphones, you don’t have to worry about the cable becoming disconnected or the mobile device connected to the headphones being damaged.

If you use a language learning app, you should also check the microphone. This is because language learning apps involve recording children’s voices. As for the microphone, it’s best to have one built into your headphones. This is to minimize inconvenience, taking into account the children’s tendencies mentioned above. If you prefer a product with a long microphone, we recommend a detachable product. Unplug the microphone when not in use to avoid damage.

Children’s headphones come in a variety of designs. Source = Shutterstock

After checking out all the above features, the final step is to choose a design. Children’s headphones are available in a variety of colors and designs. Some products come with characters, while others come with stickers so you can decorate them as you like. You can choose freely according to your child’s preferences.

When it comes to children’s headphones, sometimes there are those who are looking for children’s earphones. However, earphones are not recommended for children. In-ear canal earphones can place a significant strain on children’s ears. You may feel pain easily and the humidity can cause otitis externa. The risk of losing open-type earphones is high because they easily fall out of your ears. If possible, we recommend using children’s headphones.

Written by / IT Donga Reporter Han Man-hyuk (mh@itdonga.com)