Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

These kids’ earbuds let outside sounds in automatically

MyFirst CareBuds.
MyFirst

Typically, when it comes to kids’ headphones and earbuds, most companies focus on preventing children from being exposed to loud volume levels. This is critical. The earlier you can get a handle on your kids’ listening habits, the more likely you are to keep them from suffering Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) — a slow process that has serious outcomes.

However, there’s another factor when it comes to kids using headphones and earbuds safely, and it’s the flip side of the coin: making sure kids hear the sounds in their environment that signal dangers, like cars or emergency vehicle sirens.

MyFirst CareBuds.
MyFirst

Though it may not be an everyday occurrence, it didn’t take me long to find this recent story of an Atlanta woman who managed to go jogging right through an active shooting scene because her earbuds so effectively blocked the sounds around her.

This is the challenge that MyFirst is trying to solve with its CareBuds — a set of $50 wireless earbuds for kids that can automatically engage a transparency mode when they sense movement. MyFirst says that it invented the technology, making the CareBuds the first earbuds to offer it. If it works, it could help kids hear a potential hazard before it’s too late.

The CareBuds, which come in Space Blue, Blue, Cotton Candy, and White, also do volume-limiting, keeping sound to a maximum of 85 decibels, the loudest level that is considered safe for long exposures. Other kid-friendly features include six sizes of eartips to help a variety of ear sizes get a good fit, and an “anti-loss strip” — basically a cord that connects the two earbuds.

MyFirst CareBuds seen with anti-loss strip.
MyFirst CareBuds seen with the included anti-loss strip. MyFirst

I’m a little skeptical of that concept since you have to remove the cord before replacing the earbuds back in the case, and attach it again the next time you pull them out. Plus, there’s no place to store the cord, leading me to think the first thing your kids will lose is the anti-loss strip.

Like the charging case for the second-gen Apple AirPods Pro, you can attach a wrist strap. Unlike Apple’s earbuds, MyFirst actually includes a strap (Apple, seriously. These are $50 earbuds).

MyFirst claims the earbuds will last about six hours per charge, with an additional 25 hours of power in the case, which charges via USB-C. The earbuds offer IPX4 water protection (not for swimming, but fine for sprays of water or sweat) and the case has a moderate IPX2 rating (water won’t kill it, but try to keep it dry).

If these sound like a good solution for a kid in your life, you can buy them from Amazon, or directly from MyFirst.

Editors' Recommendations

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
What is Bluetooth multipoint and why your next earbuds or headphones should have it
Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 seen side-by-side.

Wouldn't it be great to quickly and easily switch between audio sources with your Bluetooth headphones, without having to manually disconnect and pair them to one device at a time? As with most consumer tech wonders, the dream has already become a reality, and in the case of today's deep dive, we'll be tackling an awesome audio feature known as Bluetooth multipoint.

Introduced back in 2010 with the rollout of Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth multipoint was a saving grace for every Tom and Jane using a Bluetooth headset in the workplace. Allowing for a second phone line's unanswered calls to be instantly placed on hold, this was only the beginning of Bluetooth multipoint's range of capabilities and compatible devices.

Read more
Google Pixel Buds Pro tips and tricks
Google Pixel Buds Pro and their case.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro are the latest addition to Google's ever-expanding family of wireless earbud options, and we're big fans of how they look, sound, and feel. (Go on and read our Pixel Buds review if you haven't already.) And beyond comfort and style, Google finally opted to build in some active noise-cancellation technology, allowing the Buds Pro to truly go toe to toe with the likes of the Apple AirPods Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2.

But aside from the banishment of environmental noise, what are some other impressive features that the Pixel Buds Pro bring to the table? To help you navigate the ins and outs of your in-ear Google audio, we've put together this tips and tricks roundup to teach you how to maximize your Buds Pro experience, as well as how to properly care for your new set of wire-free audibles.

Read more
Sennheiser’s latest earbuds do double duty as private TV headphones
Man wearing Sennheiser TV Clear earbuds.

Sennheiser has announced a new set of wireless earbuds known as the Sennheiser TV Clear. They're designed for folks who want to listen to their TV using headphones, but don't want to have to buy a separate set for when they're listening to music or taking calls on their phone. The TV Clear can do both, jumping back-and-forth with relative ease. They'll sell for $400 when they're released later this summer.

There are plenty of times when you might want to listen to your TV's audio privately, so that you don't disturb others, or perhaps so you can finally hear dialogue clearly without ramping up the volume to movie theater-like levels. But, as Digital Trends' own Andy Boxall recently discovered, there are not plenty of good options for doing so.

Read more