Califone Launches Hush Buddy Earmuff Line for Children
Posted by Keirsten Dungan on 6th Mar 2014
Califone Announced the Introduction of the First Animal-Themed Ear Muffs Designed Specifically for Children
The Hush Buddy line of protective gear is designed to block out the maximum amount of external noise while their playful images engage students, encouraging them to wear the ear muffs. With a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 27dB, each lets in 24.2% less sound than the closest competitive item, due in part to its smaller ear cups and headband that are designed to fit children rather than standard hearing protectors which are designed for adults. (For every 3 decibel (dB) increase, actual acoustic energy doubles – significantly decreasing the length of time your ears can safely withstand exposure to the sound pressure level.)
For some students who have heightened auditory sensitivities, random classroom sounds such as florescent lights or paper shuffling can’t be as easily filtered out and can cause reactions up to and including a “fight or flight” response. Wearing a Hush Buddy can help minimize or avoid such events, assist the teacher and the overall classroom setting. Still other students may want quieter environments for more focused activities (to stay more readily on task) such as during reading time or even test taking.
Each of the three Hush Buddy designs (Bear, Panda and Tiger) has a padded and adjustable headband with ear cups that go around instead of resting on the students ears to block out the maximum external noise. Cushiony ear pads make them extremely comfortable and they can be worn for longer periods of time. They’re also foldable for easy storage when not in use.
The introduction of the Hush Buddy line and their industry-leading protective features comes from the 5-year collaborative relationship between Califone and the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association. Califone continues its support for ASHA’s “Listen To Your Buds” campaign, which aims to educate teachers, parents and students about the proper use of personal audio technology and how to avoid noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), as well as for the annual Better Hearing & Speech month and the Safe Listening Concert series.
The protective abilities of a Hush Buddy makes one ideal for parents wanting an added measure of precaution for their children, whether in loud settings such as watching fireworks, on noisy city streets or in airplanes where according to the Deafness Research Foundation, airline cabin noise can often be between 95 and 105 decibels, above the OSHA and ASHA-recommended 85dB limit. The entire line is ANSI S3.19 tested and CE certified (meets EN352-1) for safety and comes with a 1-year warranty.
