Noise Cancelling Headphones

Many enclosed Religious (Nuns) have said the same thing in Catholic documentaries - and it is because people’s lives are so full of noise that they cannot hear the voice of God speaking to them - I was a bit taken aback by my diagnosis report in 2021 after I’d returned to my Catholic faith 18 years previously (which was the only thing that carried me though Covid) when references were made to my “Passion (implying “obsession” with and for) for the Catholic Church” and I was quite surprised by this - it just shows that our world is in denial about the fact that it needs God more than ever in our times, even though I was raised in Vatican II and went away from my faith for many years since my teens in the 80’s on the gay scene, until I came back to my faith 18 years ago, going back to the Traditional Latin Mass and self-taught praying the Rosary in Latin - I would never have been made aware of this were it not for my grandparents generation who took their faith very seriously and were totally opposed to Vatican II 

Hi, I was moved by your message because I have similar problems coping with "urban" noises - particularly music from third parties (a kind of misophonia/melophobia), which causes meltdowns because the emotions are so strong and automatic. It's not uncommon at all and whenever I mention it to people quite a few of them tell me they have the same problem and start to shake and get anxious when exposed to noise (usually music) from third parties. It's a pity people aren't considerate enough to think twice before making noise. We only have "mental health" issues because the world is the way it currently is and we were dealt a set of "cards" which doesn't make it easy for our lives to run smoothly under these conditions. Change the planet for a quiet one (or turn the clock back a few hundred years) and all those inconsiderate noise-makers would be going mad because it's too quiet and having to have therapy to cope with the silence. You are right - the world is getting noisier and noisier. Perhaps we can try to lobby for quiet areas in towns reserved for quiet people who don't make noise and don't want noise. Would be great if every town in England (and Ireland) could have a quiet zone. You need to move out of your accommodation if possible. Good luck to you and best wishes.

I live alone in a council flat and the area is very noisy even with double glazing and new doors, as the external walls are paper thin at all times, even the road outside - the council are not receptive at all to reports of ASB noise pollution in the 21 years I’ve lived here and are far more inclined to take legal action against those making “malicious” reports of ASB because of “perceptions” of noise rather than the offenders, because they take the mindset that council tenants “do not have any right to make any comments on any issues” even when it is trying to improve the community they see this as being “negative” - noise cancelling headphones are essential in this area, not just for travelling and compared to 21 years ago, the noise levels in both the U.K. and Ireland have become far greater, even in Rural Ireland - because we are perceived to have “mental health issues” when we attempt to object to much of this, we will never be taken seriously, we will be fobbed off and we always be dismissed as being cranks when we attempt to raise issues even via the “official” channels (used as a way of silencing complaints) 

I am not a kid anymore, but I love my ear loops I wish I had had them in school. I wear them all the time even when I have my headphones on. I especially love them for the movies. They play movies way to loud. 

I have 2 pair one that cuts out sound and one that's allows me to hear a conversation but cuts out loud sounds.

us.loopearplugs.com/.../homepage-lp1

Amazing! I love hearing about other innovative people. Bravo

I am not a kid anymore, but I love my ear loops I wish I had had them in school. I wear them all the time even when I have my headphones on. I especially love them for the movies. They play movies way to loud. 

I have 2 pair one that cuts out sound and one that's allows me to hear a conversation but cuts out loud sounds.

us.loopearplugs.com/.../homepage-lp1

Lettie. Don't cheap out if you can afford to. I've spent £500 plus on cheap junk. 

Sony do a noise cancelling series headphones. Mx1000s I think. We have gone through two pair, and they are our default. The noise cancelling is incredible!!

They do a 900N or something like that, which are slightly cheaper and still very good noise wise.

Honestly. Go to Currys or whatever it's called now. Ask for the Sony over ear, mx1000s and plug your phone in. All the noise around you, even with no music playing goes away. Try before you buy. They ain't cheep

My tupence worth.  

i also purchased headphones but that doesn't solve the learning problem completely

I use these Stanley noise defenders and they work so well. It can be found at www.screwfix.com/.../4859f.

I realize this is a somewhat old post, but I'm leaving this reply for any parents with the same issue that might come across this post.

As a father of a 12-year old with autism, I know the struggle.

I've always thought ear defenders would be more of an annoyance than a help. Our doctor suggested she got a cheap pair to try them out so that's what we did. We didn't really use them much in the beginning as they annoyed her slightly. She didn't like wearing them. We were happy with the effect they had when she wore them though. She seemed so much more composed in situations she couldn't handle before and that's one of the biggest moments you can have as a parent.

So we recently opted for a better pair with comfort in mind. Today she uses the Vic Firth Kidphones. They're like $20 on Amazon. I definitely feel that's money well invested since it increases the life quality in socially demanding situations for my girl. It's almost as if she forgets they're there.

There's some solid information on the topic here: soundwiz.net/.../

Hi Juliet

Yes My Headphones Cancel Any Background Noise Out Especially When It's Very Noisy And I Think These Headphones Will Be A lot Of Help To Your Daughter Because Loud Noises Upset Me And I Always Wear Them When There Is Loud Background Noise.

Hope This Is Helpful For Your Daughter.

Juanita

Hi guys, I thought I would update you on my investigations.  I have been trying various ear plugs, some are powered with noise cancelling and some are just ear plugs.  

I tried Vibes, ( http://www.discovervibes.com/our-products/ ) as these have been recommended for autism, although they are virtually invisible once you have them in, I did not find them that good, they were also a little uncomfortable.

I do own some fantastic Bose Quiet Control 30's and they are the best I have ever had, although they are full size headphones, so a little bulky.

I have recently received my Quiet On ear plugs and they are rather good.  They are very discreet and noise cancelling.  The block the sound really well.  They do not connect through your phone and do not play music etc.  They are just for noise cancelling.  So for now, these are my favorites.

https://quieton.com/

Hi Juanita,

I was wondering, do your Noise Cancelling Headphones mean that you can't hear if someone talks to you either or do they just cancel out background noise? My daughter is 8 and is quite noise sensitive but it is just certain background noise that upsets her. Many thanks.

Juliet

Hi Damon, I have had a pair of QC35's in my Amazon basket since June, you really think they are worth the money?

The best ones I have found are the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 ones, they are around £300 though.  I love mine.  I have been trying to find some decent in-ear ones, but haven't had much luck yet,. 

Hi

I Have Autism And I Am Really Sensitive To Sound And I Have Noise Cancelling Headphones And They Are Bose Which Are Really Good They Cancel All The Noise Out. Bose Headphones Are A Good Option.

Hope This Helps

Juanita

Hello, my 6yr old boy with Autism and is sound sensitive / light sensitive.
I realise this post is old but felt this answer might still help people in the future like this site has helped me so many times.

I have tested many headphones with him but to be honest, for most of them he says he can still hear "the noises". The headphones don't really stop noise, they muffle it which I'm sure is great for most people BUT, for my son, that wasn't enough as he could still here the muffled things he didn't want to hear.  This isn't great if you still need to hear the teacher but for him, it wasn't listening to people one to one that was the issue, but more the inability to escape from the noises if he really needed to - completely escape, so he could calm down.

You can read lots about "white noise" which can help people concentrate on a sound and blank out the other sounds as a distraction. So, sometimes, muffling the noises doesn't always help - but distracting them away into noises they like CAN help.  The cheap 3M's do the same work as the expensive ones so just go for the 3M if you want to try mufflers.

Boring Techy Bit (because I was obsessed with finding a solution)
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Anyway, given I needed to find simple headphones that could play distraction sounds, I then went looking for Noise cancelling headphones that could also play music into them wirelessly - meaning, you could stick an SD Card into them and it would play the mp3 music on them - no cables, easy turn on, easy turn off and nothing for your child to mess around with and create complications.

This was actually a nightmare to find - you can get BlueTooth ones, wired ones, Noise Cancelling ones (but only so you can hear your bass music into them - not for playing soft music).

Finally, I decided to make my own so....

I bought these (yes they are expensive) https://www.amazon.co.uk/PowerLocus-Bluetooth-Headphones-Cancelling-Microphone-Black-Green/dp/B01N4OI26L/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1532389585&sr=8-5&keywords=powerlocus+wireless+headphones

THEN...
>  Removed the 3 buttons for "FM Radio" + BlueTooth Mode (literally popped them out with a flat scredriver)
>  Replaced the gap with some cool black mouldable plastic (its like putty and goes hard) - Shape it into hole, pop it out, add loads of glue, pop it back in. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Multimorph-Polymorph-Mouldable-Plastic-Resealable/dp/B00P89M3GM/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1532390388&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=mouldable+plastic

>  Issue then was that the music ALWAYS started at full blast volume with deep bass which then involved fiddling with buttons to turn it down each time. So to solve this, I took the ear pieces apart (really easy - clips apart with 4 screws underneath) and placed some foam over the speakers so they touched the vibrating part which not only softened the bass but also reduced the volume to a nice level - meaning you could just turn them on, they started auto-playing music and they were perfect 

This meant I now had noise cancelling headphones (he could wear without music) but then also came with a micro SD card to let him listen to soft music out and about or when he needed to escape from the noise.

All you do then is find the sounds your child likes or can calm them (I've used rain, the sea, a distant thunderstorm) on one micro SD card and then put some mellow happy songs on another that he likes. So they can be useful for his condition, but also a fun way for him to walk around listening to his favourite music without cables, or beeping lights, buttons to mess with etc.

That's probably overkill sorry but yes - try lots of different things.
Personally, if I was you - try the cheapo ones and if nothing changes, test the soft music idea.

Hopefully, a manufacturer will make these.
I've contacted the company above to see if they could do a Noise Cancelling set with Micro SD and no BASS.

Adam

When the noise really gets to me, I use industrial ear protectors, the kind you can get at a hardware store quite cheaply for blocking out the noise from power tools and such. Even though they lower the sound by 30dB, I can still carry on a conversation with them on, but I think that's because my hearing is really good.

If you want noise cancelling headphones, I recommend Sony or Bose. I use those on airplanes. I really hate sticking things in my ears so I prefer not to use earplugs or earbuds, but noise cancelling earbuds are even more effective than noise cancelling headphones because they block a lot of sound before you even turn them on.

One time when I was stressed and couldn't find our way to the Croft for our 8 week assessment I happened upon a centre for sensory issues. 

I couldn't find it again after assessment but went searching online and this is what I found:

The Sound Learning Centre in Palmers Green London. 

If you child is already assessed by an NHS body, then treatment can begin here. The private assessment I had by [removed by moderator] was far more professional and informed than the years trying to find answers in schools with social workers or any other one who'd listen when he was having issues in the class room. 

I would advise anyone to get an assessment there, the respect and understanding is top class. The report was a thick book and it only took a week to get to me. 

The cost of the assessment was £395. but well worth it for the EHCP. Although the LEA borrowed it and lost it alledgedly I can always get a copy. I live in [removed by moderator] and it's a nightmare for any child with ASD. Although new schools are on the horizon for 2019, but will they have proper teachers.

Anyway there are treatments available for Autistic persons, and the Aspergic symptoms can go away as a result.

There is a wiring issue in the brain or a development issue which [removed by moderator] swears she can sort. Usually kids benefit best if they are young but the treatment can help adults too.

Look it up, it's worth it and if you don't have money you can apply through someone in your borough or [removed by moderator] will advise you on which charity to apply to.

Best of luck to you all.  

(*This post has been edited by a moderator to comply with the community rules)

I use these:

www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=sr_1_1

They have been a life saver. They are not good for sleeping in though as they are too bulky.

I also have these:

www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1

They are comfortable and cut out noise to a certain degree when you listen to music. You could maybe try them out at a music shop?

I also use these:

www.amazon.co.uk/.../B009WQV15G

They are not so expensive and work really well with music to block out noise. You do have to get used to them in your ear though.