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Original poster

Anyone seen adults wearing ear defenders?

26 replies

clairemcnam · 10/03/2019 14:42

My DH gets over stimulated at times with noise and sound. When this happens and he can he just goes out and finds a quiet space for a bit. I have suggested he wear ear defenders in public as I think these would help him enormously, but he won't as he says adults don't wear them. Is he right? I must admit I can't remember seeing adults ever wearing any.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 10/03/2019 14:44

I use foam plugs.

ToEarlyForDecorations · 10/03/2019 14:45

Ear plugs ?

The silicone ones are good. They do not block sounds completely (ear defenders don't either. They are just like wearing headphones with the sounds off imo) but help reduce external noise so inner peace can be found or kept.

Original poster
clairemcnam · 10/03/2019 14:45

Thanks, that is a good idea. He does not want anyone to realise he has any issues at all.

OP posts:
Littleteacup1 · 10/03/2019 14:46

What about noise cancelling headphones wouldn’t look odd as most people wear them

ToEarlyForDecorations · 10/03/2019 14:46

I've seen people with foam ear plugs in and just assume that person works in a noisy environment and has accidentally left their earplugs in as they are so comfortable.

Ted27 · 10/03/2019 14:50

Yes, one of my team members is autistic, he wears them in the office all day, don't look any different to headphones.

I doubt any casual passerby would notice they arent just headphones.
The noise cancelling ones are a good idea

ThatFalseEquivalenceTho · 10/03/2019 14:52

I use noise cancelling headphones. Sometimes I have music on, mostly I don’t.

Byrytrain · 10/03/2019 14:52

I have sensory issues and use noise cancelling headphones.

NopeNi · 10/03/2019 14:53

I always carry ear plugs, but these are my main go-to ones; they're pricy but have been a lifesaver:

https://www.bose.co.uk/engb/products/headphones/earphones/quietcomfort-20i-acoustic-noise-cancelling-headphones.html#v=qc200appleblack

ColeHawlins · 10/03/2019 14:54

What about noise cancelling headphones wouldn’t look odd as most people wear them

Yes. Bose ones are good.

patphelan · 10/03/2019 14:55

I use noise cancelling headphones too when I'm out and about. I suffer anxiety and it helps me concentrate. I would recommend he tries them. Bose have some nice ones.

SwimmingJustKeepSwimming · 10/03/2019 14:56

Ive wondered this as my autistic daughter wears ear defenders a lot and I wondered what would happen as she got older. I hadnt realised there were in ear options as i cant tolerate things in my ear!

Bananasarenottheonlyfruit · 10/03/2019 14:58

I have a colleague who wears ear defenders at his desk. Irony is, when he is on the phone, he is the loudest person in the office.

IloveJudgeJudy · 10/03/2019 23:29

Loads of people wear headphones nowadays, some wear them rather than in earphones. Your DH won't look out of place.

soupforbrains · 10/03/2019 23:34

Foam ear plugs could do the trick but they're designed for specific purposes do may not actually serve the purpose you need them for. Same goes for noise cancelling headphones. You'll need to do your research carefully but if you buy the appropriate things then it should work marvellously.

Also, in my work I see many many adults use ear defenders but they are in specific work environments which I appreciate are not relevant to your DS.

I work in health and safety and do this sort of thing for my job.

PickAChew · 10/03/2019 23:37

Often. I live with and notice autistic people, though.

Plenty of adults wear earphones rather than ear buds to listen to music, through the day. Only those who have extensively googled would know the difference between headphones and noise cancelling headphones and most wouldn't give a shit.

PickAChew · 10/03/2019 23:40

I find the problem with ear plugs is that I can hear all my inside noises!

Jaguarana · 10/03/2019 23:43

Have a look for Vibes earplugs. They do the job really well and they are worn in-ear like earplugs so they are almost invisible.

soupforbrains · 10/03/2019 23:48

@PickAChew yes. All ear plugs and ear defenders are design to limit/eliminate a particular range of frequencies. Most ear plugs are designed for extreme frequencies and are only dampers rathe than eliminators anyway.

SunflowerSuit · 10/03/2019 23:50

Only at festivals, though I used to wear them in bed when I was married.

Omzlas · 10/03/2019 23:56

You can get ear plugs that you mold to the shape of your own ear, would they be an option?

BackforGood · 11/03/2019 00:08

The larger headphones are all over the place these days. I wouldn't look twice at anybody to discern if they were wearing ear defenders or large headphones. I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid.

QuietlyQuaffing · 11/03/2019 00:29

on our autism parenting course they suggested noise cancelling headphones. People wear them in my office.

smurfy2015 · 11/03/2019 05:49

I recommend musicians earplugs, they block out quite a lot and some come on a handy string which is attached to each plug so harder to lose, I am currently using a pair of these

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Protection-Earbud-Noise-Reduction-Filter-Silicone-Earphone-Musician-Earplugs/163473223202?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Df98d771d2d094e04a914196a7113273e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D123086119415%26itm%3D163473223202&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
Sorry long linky

KenAdams · 11/03/2019 07:01

Bose QC 35s should do the trick