Making Smart Audio Choices For Your Kids With KidzSafe

I received a KidzSafe Audio Gear product for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. No opinions should be taken as professional or medical advice. All photos and thoughts contained below are original and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015.

Momma Told Me: Turn it down, you're going to go deaf!

I still remember my first Walkman. It had the most fashionable headphones. You know the kind with the thin wire frame and the bright orange ear pads made of a sponge-like foam material? You could sit on them, twist them, drop them, and roll over them with your bike, and they would not break. But they also had the less than desirable feature of broadcasting your personal audio entertainment to the entire mini van, and that made for one cranky Momma. Naturally, I'd turn up the volume to drown out her protests, as she fumbled with the dash controls to funnel her favorite radio station towards the front speakers. And so I spent the majority of my tween and teen years ignoring that which my parents said for the melodic screams of much younger adults with trendier hairstyles.

Children, especially tweens, spend a lot of time listening to modern media. From the moment they arrive home in that slow humming giraffe rocker, to their first audible glimpse of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Misca Musca Mickey Mouse!) our children are groomed to respond to stimuli they can hear. We're even told that they learn better when lessons are set to a familiar tune or repeating rhyme, so we let them plug into their iPads and even our smartphones and stream away. But what is all of that headphone time really doing?

Did you know that hearing loss due to noise exposure is the only form of hearing loss that is entirely preventable? This type of hearing loss can also develop over time, as the inner ear's sensitive 'hair cells' are damaged as a result of direct sound waves that are too loud. Believe it or not- this form of hearing loss is often the cause of self induced over-exposure.

KidzSafe audio equipment, earphones, speakers, and more are specially designed to limit sound output below 85db (the level at which studies indicate hearing damage can occur.) Since there is no way for children and parents to easily regulate or measure sound output on most modern audio devices this takes the guesswork out of recreational music and audio consumption and gives parents the peace of mind they need. KidzSafe products are also designed with your child's tastes in mind, utilizing durable materials and a rich palette of neon colors. KidzSafe D.I.Y. Headphones come in 4 beautiful color combinations, each with interchangeable ear pads of a complimentary color.

The MyDesign D.I.Y. headphones also include 50+ designer stickers and 2 matching cord sets so your child can truly make their style shine while listening in comfort. And these audiologist recommended headphones also come with a carrying case, so you don't have to worry about those spare parts getting lost, or the cords getting tangled. Kiara (10) immediately knew the Pink MyDesign D.I.Y. KidzSafe headphones were for her and began the process of painstakingly deliberating over sticker placement. She especially loved that the headphones could showcase BOTH her favorite colors, pink and purple, and that the stickers were 'sparkly.'

Of course the volume of the sound is just as important as the message of the music coming out of the headphones, so I went ahead and made up a Tween (Girls) Playlist from some of Radio Disney's top 50 songs right now. While Radio Disney has child-friendly edits available, not all of the songs they edit or cover are still the most tween friendly in message and theme. Remember to pay attention to what your tween is listening to- just because a song talks about popcicles and rainbows does not mean it won't provoke smart questions from your daughter down the line! As a general rule, listen to all approved music with your tween and always be prepared to discuss the song's meaning- especially if you're not comfortable with hearing them repeat the words back!

We love our KidzSafe D.I.Y. MyDesign Headphones, and are looking into getting a wireless speaker for Kiara's younger brother (5) who could use something durable to carry around and into the backyard while he plays. Sometimes, as adults, we are not the best role-models, un-intentionaly- I know I'll also be more aware of how loud I play the music when around small ears, from now on! Follow KidzSafe on Facebook and Twitter for more kids safe audio tips. Now dish- what's one song you or your tween have to turn up when it comes on the radio?

What Daughter Says:  What's comfortable may not be what's safest- choose decibel limiting personal audio gear to protect developing ears.

I received a KidzSafe Audio Gear product for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. No opinions should be taken as professional or medical advice.