We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want serious hearing protection for loud environments like gun ranges, mowing or woodworking, choose PROHEAR 016; if you need wireless over-ear headphones for music, calls, study and travel, choose MIDOLA Headphones. These two products share almost nothing except the fact that they sit around your ears instead of inside them — and that single trait, being non in ear headphones, is exactly why buyers keep comparing them. One is a passive safety device. The other is a Bluetooth entertainment headset. Let me break down which one actually belongs in your bag.
• PROHEAR 016's biggest strength: Certified passive noise blocking (NRR 26dB / SNR 31dB) with a low-profile cut-out earcup design built for rifle and shotgun use.
• PROHEAR 016's biggest trade-off: It does nothing but protect your hearing — no Bluetooth, no mic, no music, no calls.
• MIDOLA Headphones' biggest strength: Up to 68 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, a built-in mic and six EQ modes for everyday listening.
• MIDOLA Headphones' biggest trade-off: It offers sound isolation, not certified hearing protection, so it is not a substitute for range-rated muffs.
• Who PROHEAR 016 is for: Shooters, hunters, woodworkers, mowers and anyone around genuinely dangerous noise levels.
• Who MIDOLA Headphones is for: Students, commuters, remote workers and casual listeners who want cheap wireless over-ears for tablets, laptops and phones.
The PROHEAR 016 is a purpose-built piece of safety gear, and the spec sheet reads like it. The core is a sound dampening composite housing paired with foam ear pads, rated at NRR 26dB and SNR 31dB, and it carries ANSI S3.19-1974 and CE EN 352-1 certification. That matters because those are the numbers that tell you whether a muff can actually stand between your ears and a gunshot. In my opinion, this is the single most important line on the whole data sheet, and it is the reason this product exists at all.
The design choices all serve that goal. The earcups are low profile with cut-outs, which the manufacturer specifically frames as ideal for rifles and shotguns without interference — meaning the cup is shaped so a stock can sit against your cheek without shoving the muff off your ear. The shell is durable ABS, the headband is adjustable to fit "any size and shape of head," and the whole thing folds compactly into a carry bag. At 7.36 ounces per pair, with soft cushioned pads and a padded headband, these are built to be worn for long stretches at a range or in a shop.
MIDOLA Headphones: Who It's For
The MIDOLA over-ear headset is the opposite kind of product. It is a wireless Bluetooth 5.3 headphone with a 40mm dynamic driver, a 20Hz–20KHz frequency range, 32-ohm impedance, 105dB sensitivity and a quoted 60ms audio latency. Battery life is the headline: up to 68 hours of average use, with roughly a 2-hour charge time and seven power levels. For a student running through a week of online classes, or a commuter who forgets to charge things, that is a genuinely useful figure.
The feature set is all about everyday listening and communication. There are six EQ modes covering pop, rock, bass, vocals, podcasts and video, plus a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, video chats and online meetings. It pairs with phones, tablets, laptops and desktops, and it also accepts a 3.5mm wired connection when you would rather not use Bluetooth. The foldable frame, oval earcups, soft pads and adjustable headband are aimed at long study or travel sessions, and MIDOLA backs it with a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Two things worth flagging honestly. First, the noise control field says "Sound Isolation" — that is passive blocking from the pads, not certified protection, so do not treat these as range muffs. Second, the listing title itself describes the sound as "Decent Sound-Acceptable," which is a refreshingly modest claim and tells you this is not an audiophile product. Who should buy it: kids and teens using tablets, students in online classes, remote workers on video calls, and casual listeners who want long battery life and a mic without spending much. Who should skip it: anyone who needs real decibel reduction around firearms or power tools, and anyone chasing high-fidelity sound.
• Best for hearing protection → PROHEAR 016. NRR 26dB, SNR 31dB, ANSI and CE certified. Nothing on the MIDOLA sheet competes with that.
• Best for battery life → MIDOLA Headphones. Up to 68 hours versus no battery at all on the PROHEAR.
• Best for shooting and hunting → PROHEAR 016. The low-profile cut-out cups are shaped specifically so long guns don't knock them loose.
• Best for music, calls and podcasts → MIDOLA Headphones. Six EQ modes, a built-in mic and Bluetooth 5.3.
• Best for loud yard and shop work → PROHEAR 016. Mowing, chainsaws, woodworking and machining are all named use cases.
• Best for students and remote work → MIDOLA Headphones. Tablet, laptop and PC pairing plus hands-free calling make it the study-and-meeting pick.
• Best for sharing or keeping a spare → PROHEAR 016. It comes as a two-pack with a carry bag.
• Best for travel and commuting → MIDOLA Headphones. Foldable, lightweight at 7.04 ounces, and it works wired or wireless.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the PROHEAR 016 — but only because of what I would be buying it for. Hearing damage is permanent, and the certified NRR 26dB rating plus the range-friendly cut-out cups are the kind of thing you cannot improvise with a music headset. The two-pack also means you are covered for a partner or a second location. That said, if your actual need is music, calls and long battery life rather than safety, the MIDOLA is the more sensible purchase and the PROHEAR would be useless to you. Match the tool to the job. If price is the deciding factor, check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you commit.
how do non ear headphones work
Non in ear headphones sit around or against the outside of your ear rather than inside the canal, so sound reaches you through a driver and, on passive models, through foam or cushioned pads that block outside noise. On the PROHEAR 016, a sound dampening composite housing and foam pads reduce what reaches your ear, rated NRR 26dB. On the MIDOLA, the 40mm dynamic driver delivers audio and the pads provide passive sound isolation.
what are non in ear headphones called
They are usually called over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, or earmuffs depending on the purpose. The PROHEAR 016 is a set of over-ear earmuffs — a hearing protector with a foldable headband and low-profile cups. The MIDOLA is described as an over-ear wireless headset with oval earcups. Both avoid inserting anything into your ear canal, which is the trait that puts them in this category.
what are the best open ear headphones
Open-ear and non in-ear designs are not the same thing, so it is worth being precise: neither product here is an open-ear model. The PROHEAR 016 is a closed, sound-blocking earmuff with NRR 26dB and SNR 31dB protection, certified to ANSI S3.19-1974 and CE EN 352-1. The MIDOLA is a closed over-ear Bluetooth headset with sound isolation, six EQ modes and up to 68 hours of playtime.
how to wear in ear headphones
This is a fair question, because the answer is: you don't wear these like in-ear buds. In-ear models seal inside the canal with a tip; non in ear models rest over the ear. The PROHEAR 016 uses an adjustable headband sized to fit any head shape, with cushioned pads sitting over your ears and cut-out cups that stay clear of a rifle stock. The MIDOLA uses an adjustable headband and soft oval pads for longer listening sessions.
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