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Key Takeaways
Most audiologists consider earplugs safe for children from around three years of age, provided they are worn under parental supervision during insertion and removal. Below three years old, earmuffs are the only recommended option because young children’s ear canals are too small and delicate for earplug use. Independent earplug use without adult assistance is generally appropriate from around six years old.
Medical-grade silicone earplugs sized for children are considered safe for regular use. Silicone does not expand in the ear canal the way foam does, which means it does not create the same pressure risks in smaller ears. Bollsen Kidz+ earplugs are made from hypoallergenic silicone that is free from harmful substances and certified to EU standards.
Yes. Concert sound levels typically sit between 100 and 115 decibels. The WHO safe limit for children is 75 decibels over extended periods. Without protection, a two-hour concert exposes a child to sound levels that can cause permanent hearing damage. For children aged three and above, Kidz+ earplugs or Rooth Kids earmuffs both provide sufficient protection. For babies and toddlers, Rooth Baby Earmuffs with 28 dB SNR are the appropriate choice.
Yes, and for children who swim regularly, ear protection is particularly important. Water entering the ear canal is a leading cause of outer ear infections in children. Bollsen Kidz+ earplugs are waterproof and create a secure seal that keeps water out without being uncomfortable during swimming. They are suitable for pool use, open water, and bath time from age three upwards. For children with ear tubes, always consult a doctor before using any ear protection in water.
Earplugs sit inside the ear canal and are more practical for activities like swimming, school, and travel where a low-profile fit matters. Earmuffs sit over the ear and are safe for any age including babies. For children under three, earmuffs are the only safe option. For older children, earplugs are generally more comfortable for extended daily use while earmuffs are better for short high-decibel events like fireworks or concerts where maximum noise reduction is the priority.
Children’s ears are more sensitive than adults’. The World Health Organisation recommends that children are not exposed to sound levels above 75 decibels over extended periods, compared to 80 decibels for adults. That gap matters more than most parents realise. A concert, a fireworks display, or even a busy school corridor can push well beyond that threshold without anyone noticing. Choosing the right hearing protection for your child is not complicated, but it does depend on two things: how old your child is and what you are protecting them from. This guide walks through both.
Summary
- Under 3 years old: earplugs are not safe for young children. Earmuffs are the only appropriate hearing protection at this age.
- Ages 3 to 12: Bollsen Kidz+ silicone earplugs provide 24 dB SNR protection and are suitable for swimming, school, travel, and most everyday situations.
- Very loud events (fireworks, concerts above 100 dB): earmuffs with a higher SNR rating offer additional protection for younger children or situations where maximum reduction is needed.
- Earplugs vs earmuffs: earplugs are more practical for daily use, water activities, and older children. Earmuffs are better for babies, toddlers, and high-decibel events.
Why does your child’s age determine which protection to use?
Ear canal size changes significantly between birth and adolescence. A young child’s canal is narrower and more delicate than an adult’s, which means standard earplugs can sit too deeply, create uncomfortable pressure, or pose a choking risk if a child removes them unsupervised. Earmuffs sit over the ear rather than inside it, which makes them safe for any age.
Earplugs become appropriate when a child is old enough to understand how to wear them correctly and to tell a parent if something feels wrong. For most children, that is around three years of age, though parental supervision during insertion and removal remains important up to around six years old.
| Age | Recommendation | Product |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 years | Earmuffs only. Ear canals are too small and delicate for earplugs. | Rooth Baby Earmuffs — 28 dB SNR |
| 3 to 6 years | Earplugs suitable with parental supervision. Earmuffs also appropriate for events. | Kidz+ earplugs — 24 dB SNR |
| 6 to 12 years | Earplugs suitable for independent use. Kidz+ covers most everyday situations. | Kidz+ earplugs — 24 dB SNR |
What situation are you protecting your child from?
The right choice also depends on the type of noise your child is exposed to. Swimming, school, travel, and concerts all involve different noise profiles and different practical demands.
Swimming and water activities
Water entering the ear canal is a leading cause of outer ear infections in children who swim regularly. A waterproof seal is essential. Standard foam earplugs do not provide a reliable seal against water. Bollsen Kidz+ earplugs create a waterproof silicone seal that keeps water out during swimming, bath time, and open water activities. When choosing child earplugs for swimming, material and fit matter more than noise reduction rating alone.
School and focus
Classroom noise regularly reaches 65 to 85 decibels during group activities. For children with auditory sensitivity, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, this level of background noise directly affects concentration and learning. Kidz+ earplugs are discreet and comfortable enough for extended classroom wear.
Fireworks, concerts, and loud events
Fireworks reach 140 to 170 decibels. Concerts typically sit between 100 and 115 decibels. These are the situations where maximum protection matters most, particularly for younger children and babies. For children aged 3 and above, Rooth Kids Earmuffs provide 26 dB SNR. For babies and toddlers under 5, Rooth Baby Earmuffs provide 28 dB SNR. Choosing the right ear protection for kids at concerts depends on the child’s age, the venue, and the expected duration of noise exposure.
Travel and transport
Aircraft cabin noise sits around 85 decibels. Train and bus journeys are typically 70 to 80 decibels. For long journeys, the compact Kidz+ carry case fits easily in a school bag or hand luggage, making them the most practical option for travel.
What makes Bollsen Kidz+ the right choice for most situations?
Bollsen Kidz+ earplugs are made from medical-grade silicone and sized specifically for children’s smaller ear canals. They provide 24 dB SNR noise reduction, which is sufficient to bring an 85 dB classroom or a 100 dB event down to a safe level for a child. The silicone material creates a waterproof seal, making them equally effective in the pool and in the playground.
Each pair is reusable for up to 100 uses when cleaned regularly with mild soap and water. They come with a compact aluminium carry case, which is practical for school bags and travel. The hypoallergenic silicone is free from harmful substances and safe for children with sensitive skin.
For a full breakdown of safety, age suitability, and fitting guidance, see our guide on are earplugs safe for kids.
When do earmuffs work better than earplugs for children?
Earmuffs are the better choice in three situations. The first is age: children under three years old should only use earmuffs because their ear canals are too small and delicate for earplugs. The second is extreme noise: at events where sound levels exceed 110 decibels, the higher SNR ratings of earmuffs provide additional protection. The third is ease of use: some younger children find earmuffs easier to wear and keep in place without parental assistance during insertion.
Rooth Baby Earmuffs are designed for babies and toddlers up to five years old. They provide 28 dB SNR noise reduction, have a foldable design for easy transport, and use soft cushioning that does not place pressure on a young child’s head. Rooth Kids Earmuffs provide 26 dB SNR and are sized for children aged three to twelve, making them the stronger option for fireworks and high-volume events where maximum reduction matters.
For a detailed comparison of both options across different situations, see our guide on hearing protection for kids.
How do you choose between earplugs and earmuffs for a child?
The practical differences come down to three factors: age, activity, and decibel level. The table below maps each Bollsen product against the situations where it performs best.
| Product | Age range | SNR | Waterproof | Best for | Not suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bollsen Kidz+ | 3 to 12 years | 24 dB | Yes | Swimming, school, travel, daily use | Under 3 years, extreme dB events |
| Rooth Kids Earmuffs | 3 to 12 years | 26 dB | No | Concerts, fireworks, sports events | Swimming, daily school use |
| Rooth Baby Earmuffs | 0 to 5 years | 28 dB | No | Babies at events, maximum noise reduction | Swimming, children over 5 years |
What should parents look for when buying hearing protection for children?
The SNR rating is the most important number to check. It tells you how many decibels of sound the product reduces under standardised testing conditions. For children, the WHO recommends keeping exposure below 75 decibels. A product with 24 dB SNR reduces a 100 dB event to approximately 76 decibels at the ear, which sits just at the safe threshold. A product with 28 dB SNR reduces the same event to around 72 decibels, offering a slightly larger margin of safety.
Material matters for children because adult earplugs are often sized for adult ear canals and use materials that expand under pressure. Silicone earplugs sized for children adapt to the ear’s shape without expanding, which reduces canal pressure and makes them safer for smaller ears. Foam earplugs are not recommended for children because the expansion mechanism can create excessive pressure in a narrower canal.
Reusability is worth considering for regular use. A pair of Kidz+ earplugs used twice a week costs a fraction of disposable alternatives over a school year, and the reduced waste is better for the environment.
To understand how noise levels affect children’s hearing and what decibel thresholds to watch for, see our article on what noise level is safe for kids.
His connection to hearing protection stems from personal experience with sound sensitivity during live events and work in noisy environments, an issue that made him more aware of the long-term risks of unmanaged noise exposure. Today, as both a communicator and a user of BOLLSEN products, he is passionate about raising awareness around the importance of proactive hearing care.
At BOLLSEN, he develops data-driven marketing campaigns, writes SEO-focused articles, and manages communication channels that connect customers with practical knowledge about hearing protection. His work ensures that BOLLSEN’s message—prioritizing health, performance, and sustainability reaches a global audience in an engaging and trustworthy way.
Passionate about writing since childhood, Timotej combines creativity with a strong analytical approach, continuously testing new ideas in digital marketing, performance advertising, and social media. He believes in learning through innovation and collaboration, balancing leadership with openness to new perspectives.
Beyond his professional role, Timotej is committed to a healthy lifestyle and finds inspiration in fitness, sports, and quality time with friends. His personal passion for well-being aligns with BOLLSEN’s core values, making his work not only a career but also a cause he deeply believes in.
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