Protecting your ears with proper noise reduction devices is essential to your ability to retain your hearing throughout your lifetime. Without adequate protection, your hearing could be at risk for various hearing problems or even permanent hearing loss. There are environments which could cause damage to your ears especially workplaces such as factories or power plant where you are exposed to high-frequency sounds and loud noises.
Earbuds are part of your personal safety such as a hard hat. Also for some companies, it’s mandatory to have hearing protection gear while at work. If you consider being at risk of hearing problems, it is essential to protect yourself with high-quality earbuds. Earbuds rest on your outer ear; this means they are to be inserted into your ear canal. They are less expensive than Bluetooth Hearing Protection Headphones and quite portable because they don’t affect your hairstyle or the wearing of glasses and earrings.
Best Bluetooth Hearing Protection Earbuds
Shopping for Bluetooth enabled earbuds can seem like an overwhelming experience because of the many options you can choose from today. Whether you’re looking for an affordable option, a great workout companion, or a pair of earphones that will help you tune out your surroundings, we have an excellent pick for your needs and budget.
1. PlugFones Bluetooth High Noise Earbuds (NRR 26)
VicTsing SoundHot C6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
$19.90 in stock
Amazon.com
Key Features:
- Music and talk in high-noise environments
- Volume limiting for OSHA workplaces (optional)
- SoundSeal hearing protection from noise
- Bluetooth 4.1 with powerful 100′ range
- Rechargeable with 12-hour battery life
- Lightweight with simple controls
PlugFones Wireless Bluetooth Earplug-Earbud Hybrid manufactured by FreeReign is a giant leap forward in noise cancellation headsets, with features no other Bluetooth earbud can claim.
Both ComforTiered silicone ear tips and ComforTwist foam ear tips included in the packaging are made from durable, ergonomic soft foam and silicone to ensure long and comfortable wear time so you can choose your favorite. The earplug-style tips help block out noise, so it can be used in loud environments such as workplaces, as well as for motorcycling, 4-wheeling, shooting and hunting. The earpieces and tips are water resistant, so you are free to use them in sweaty or moist conditions without fear of damage.
Whether you need just an everyday Bluetooth earbud for music-listening with a mic for phone calls, PlugFones from FreeReign is ready to help you hear clearly in high noise environments. With hearing protection, music and talk, and a wireless design, FreeReign is an excellent choice and a great value.
2. ISOtunes PRO IT-01 Bluetooth Earbuds (NRR 27)
JBL Charge 3 JBLCHARGE3BLKAM Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
5 used from $86.08
Free shipping
Key Features:
- Heat-activated memory foam ear tips expand like earplugs to significantly reduce outside noise. Reducing external sound by 27 dB
- Bluetooth 4.1 + EDR, compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices
- Noise-canceling mic filters out jet engines and other solid-state background noise
- Custom-fit memory wire holds the earphones snugly in place while you move and work
10-hour music/talk time, 240 hour standby time - IPX4 sweat and waterproof
- OSHA-compliant
- SafeSound Technology: 85dB volume limit
- 1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
With an ANSI-certified Noise Reduction Rating of 27 dB, ISOtunes PRO offers greater noise reduction than any other in-ear headphones available today. ISOtunes PRO’s signature noise isolation is coupled with a steady state noise-cancelling mic for clear calls in loud environments where you can listen to music or take a call in high-noise situations. With high definition audio and a Noise Reduction Rate of 27, you’ll be able to hear audio details clearly whether you’re working on the job, on the subway, or going wherever else your noisy life takes you.
Right from packaging, these earplugs show they are durable and comfy. This means you can listen for hours without risking the health and safety of your hearing. They are made of high-quality plastic and look and feel superbly long-lasting. They are also IPX4 waterproof and sweat proof which means they won’t get easily damaged from bringing them to the gym or even poolside. Moreover, the ear tips are constructed of materials that are workplace compliant. If you work in a highly active environment, you don’t have to worry about the device falling out your ears as it includes a custom fit memory wire for stability during rigorous work. In fact, many people use them while exercising.
The package comes in 3 sizes of foam tips (Small, Medium, and Large) to provide an ideal fit for all customers. They are a perfect fit for, manufacturing workers, lawn care workers, contractors, builders, and office workers alike. They also can be worn on a long international flight or a string of domestic flights without needing a recharge. These earbuds are all about maximizing comfort, sound quality and noise Isolation.
3. Etymotic Research HF5 Noise Isolating In-Ear Earphones
FUGOO Style XL- Portable Rugged Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Key Features:
- Over 85% response accuracy
- Achieves highest output sensitivity in its class
- Provides 35Db noise isolation
The Etymotic Research HF5 Series Noise-Isolating Earphones does not compromise. It has a high-performance noise reduction rate. These earphones deliver the best-in-class benefits and superior value, perfectly matched to the latest product innovations from most music players that support a 3.5 mm stereo phone plug.
Etymotic’s earphones have been measured and certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to have the highest noise isolation of all in-ear earphones. They have been proved to reduce outside noise lowering the risk of listening to unsafe levels.
If you haven’t tried out the Etymotic HF5, you should check it out because it’s a pair that should be on your list. The Etymotic HF5 are high performance, noise isolating earphones engineered for comfort, durability and functionality.
The moment you open the box, you will realize that iconic look that looks so much like the earphones being made today. The earphones look like they may be a tad bit fragile at first glance, but they are quite sturdy and are fitted with a cable that’s built to last a long time.
Speaking of durability, Etymotic offers a 2-year warranty on the HF5 as a demonstration of their confidence in the product.
The Etymotic in-ear earphones are all about balance and sound quality. Fans of Etymotic will love the Etymotic Research HF5. The clarity and speed of the earphones allow them to texture notes in extraordinary ways. It delivers a close to faultless music experience even in eminently noisy environments and is built on superior noise isolation
For best performance and retention, replace three flange ear tips every 3-6 months. Replace foam ear tips regularly.
This is the perfect Bluetooth hearing protection earbuds, with an affordable price this set of earplug headphones, will offer you a classic set of in-ears that deliver an unparalleled all rounded audio quality experience and chic design that is well worth the price.
4. Liberate 2.0 Bluetooth Plugfones
TaoTronics Bluetooth Shower Speaker Water Resistant Portable Wireless Shower Speaker
Key Features:
- Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) of 23 and 26 dB
- IsoTalk Noise Isolating Mic
- Bluetooth 4.1
If you thought the Basic Plugfones was great, get ready for awesome! The Liberate 2.0 Bluetooth Plugfones are a set of earplug earbud headphones that have a better-combined build and audio experience than the Liberate 2.0. According to Plugfones, the Liberate offers ‘the ultimate hearing protection plus wireless listening experience. Not only because they feature a replaceable tip design that helps keep them new, clean and fresh, but also because they are great for virtually all types of noisy surroundings.
This set of headphones feature a noise reducing inline microphone for calls, up and down volume buttons, Bluetooth antenna, and ruggedized play and pause buttons, a sweat proof design, a water resistant USB charger and song progression buttons.
Finally, the Liberate is engineered to last with a flexible wire casing so that they can take some roughing up.
Earbuds are all about simplicity and functionality. The Liberate 2.0 look is minimal, yet functional. Liberate is a Bluetooth earplug, so you won’t have to deal with a long wire extending to your phone or music player. The device is designed to fit all ear types as well as keep your ears irritation-free, even if it is worn for hours at a time.
Offering a clear, robust and powerful audio experience, the Liberate 2.0 is one of the best set of earbuds on the market.
5. Walker’s Razor-XV Earbud Headset
iFox iF012 Bluetooth Shower Speaker
Key Features:
- Behind-the-Neck wear for ZERO interference hearing protection
- Retractable Digital Ear Buds with high-quality HD speakers
- Hi-Gain omnidirectional microphones for clear sound enhancement
- Bluetooth compatibility for streaming audio from smartphones
- NRR 31 protection from noise
When you need your hearing protection while shooting and hunting, the Razor-XV Earbud Headset is the smart choice. The latest gadget from Walker’s Game Ear, the Razor-X is a neck-worn device that contains two retractable earbuds that block hazardous noise while simultaneously amplifying safe ambient sounds up to 9 times. Using Sound Activated Compression (SAC), the Razor-XV flawlessly distinguishes and protects against damaging gunfire noise.
The neckband is light in weight and stays out of the way, and the earbuds retract in between uses. The earbuds provide a powerful 31dB of noise reduction, making this advanced hearing protector perfect for shooting and hunting, while Bluetooth functionality allows you to stream audio from your smartphone while you’re at the range or in the field.
The Razor-XV lets you hear better with the earbuds in than you could hear while wearing no hearing protection at all. It features Hi gain omni-directional microphones that allow you to pick up voices, prey sounds, and other safe sounds you need to hear to maintain good situational awareness — essential for proper safety. High-quality speakers within the earbuds amplify those sounds in full digital, wide range HD sound. A choice between indoor mode and outdoor mode lets you experience your audio environment ideally in each circumstance.
Using the Razor-XV is almost effortless. With its behind-the-neck design, the Razor-XV is comfortable enough to forget you’re wearing it, and one size truly fits all. It won’t interfere with your movements or your aim, and it won’t overheat you on a warm day. The earbuds retract for no-effort tracking and instant storage between uses. These earbuds come with two types of tips (12mm foam and 16mm coated foam), each in multiple sizes, so you will immediately have everything you need to help you get a perfect, comfortable, active fit.
Buyer’s Guide
There are many different types of earbuds available. Picking the right type of earbuds is a highly personal decision. Therefore the nature of earbud chosen will depend on each’s needs, as well as style preferences. Other things to look out for include:
Achieving the Proper Fit
One essential factor to consider when shopping for earbuds it’s they must fit properly and be worn correctly to function correctly. Look at the package; many earbuds come with different size tips as possible for the user to find the proper fit. If you have the right tip to fit your ears earbuds are magical. A poor fitting earbud can cause harm to your ears.
Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) rating
A Noise Reduction Rating specifies the effectiveness of a hearing protection earplug. The standard range for hearing protection is from 15 to 35 decibels of sound cancellation. The higher the Noise Reduction Rate is, the more noise reduction it provides, as long as it is also a good fit in the ear.
Battery life
The most important thing to look for in a pair of Bluetooth earbuds is battery life. Most earbuds have a specified battery life, this is the number of hours the manufacturer states the earbud can last when fully charged. Most Bluetooth-enabled earbuds are rated to last six to eight hours. No matter the battery life ensure they come with a charging case, there’s a high likelihood you’ll have to charge them on the go.
FAQs
Everyone wants to find a great pair of earbuds at a reasonable price. So where are some question to ask yourself before buying to get a good pair that will last as well as?
1. How much do you want to spend?
Earbud’s prices vary widely depending on the model type and features. Therefore depending on your needs before you start shopping around set what you are willing to spend. The marketplace has earbuds with very affordable prices.
2. What is the earbud made of?
Take an extra minute to look at the package and see what material the earbud is made of. Some people prefer an all-metal earbud because they find them to be more durable than the plastic earbuds.
3. What accessories does your earbud come with?
Make sure when you buy a pair of earbuds that it has everything you need. Accessories to look out for include, carry case, cable wrap, extra tips, skype adapter extension cable among others. You will most probably not get all the accessories with every pair of earbuds but the more you can get the better.
4. What is the speaker diameter?
A general rule of thumb is that the bigger, the better when it comes to speaker size of the earbuds. Yes, the speaker in an earbud is super small but by having a bigger diameter speaker will usually help in the overall sound quality.
Final Words
Ensure to acquire certified noise reduction earbuds to protect your hearing. The recommended certified Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) should be above 26dB to enable adequate hearing protection as well as allows you to enjoy your music peacefully and quietly. Additionally, a volume limiter of about 85dB is required to protect users from long-term hearing damage and comply with OSHA workplace standards.
Earbuds with these standards are well designed as well as industrial lab tested and capable of reducing loud noises while protecting your ears regardless of your location.
In spite the fact that earbuds are still new in the market; they have since flooded the mainstream market due to necessity and demand. And while this may come as a surprise to many, it’s not that hard to see why they have gained massive popularity over the years. After all, they isolate noise and make your music much clearer and more accessible.
Allowing people to block out background noise while enjoying music is a big deal. If you are in need of an earplug headphone, try one of these on the list above. They are keeping workers around the world connected and protected, and they can do the same for you.
