How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• PROHEAR 032 — biggest strength: A genuine 25dB noise reduction rating (NRR) that passively blocks loud sound, built for kids aged 3–15 with sensitive hearing or autism.
• PROHEAR 032 — biggest trade-off: It has no Bluetooth, no microphone and no audio playback. It silences the world; it does not play anything into it.
• itayak Behind — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.0 wireless audio with a microphone, ~11 hours of music per charge and an IPX5 sweatproof, behind-the-head fit.
• itayak Behind — biggest trade-off: Its "noise control" is passive cancellation only. It does not carry a certified hearing-protection rating, so it is not a safety device.
• Who each is for: Pick PROHEAR 032 for a child at a concert, fireworks show or noisy classroom. Pick itayak Behind for an adult or teen who wants music and calls during sport.
The PROHEAR 032 2.0 is, first and last, a piece of safety gear. Its headline number is a 25dB NRR — a real, measurable reduction in how much sound reaches the ear. The sheet lists ANSI and CE certification, which is the language of hearing protection, not lifestyle audio. That distinction matters. This is a device that makes the world quieter so a child can cope with it.
The design backs that up. A durable ABS shell keeps the weight down to 6.72 ounces, and the headband is shaped to spread pressure evenly instead of pinching at one spot. Soft sponge ear pads and an ultra-soft lining are there for long wear — a school day, a long car ride, a full fireworks display. Sizing is adjustable to fit different ages, and PROHEAR frames the range as 3–15 years. The cups fold down to roughly 55% of their size and swivel a full 360°, and a carry bag is included, so they can live in a school bag without getting crushed.
Where it genuinely earns its place is in the specific situations parents search for: a child with autism or sensory sensitivity who needs a calm bubble during homework, reading or a busy classroom; monster truck shows, concerts and firework displays where the sound is punishing; lawnmowers and household chores. The bright green shell adds visibility, and the surface accepts stickers (not included) — a small thing that helps a kid actually want to wear them.
Who should skip it? Anyone expecting to hear music. There is no Bluetooth, no jack, no microphone. The listed noise control is sound isolation, full stop. If your child wants audio, this is the wrong tool. If your child needs quiet, it is the right one.
The itayak Behind is a completely different animal: a behind-the-head wireless headphone built around movement. The band wraps around the back of your skull rather than over the top, which is why the sheet describes it as something you barely feel wearing. At roughly 37 grams, that claim is at least plausible — that is remarkably light for anything with a battery and drivers inside.
The core spec is Bluetooth 5.0 with a stated range of about 33 feet (10 metres). It pairs with phones, tablets and anything else Bluetooth-enabled, and the sheet mentions one-step fast pairing — power on and it enters pairing mode, then you select the device. Sound is handled by dynamic drivers, and it is tuned for a bass-forward "HiFi-stereo" presentation with passive background-noise filtering. Five push buttons cover power, volume, track skip, play/pause, call answer/hang-up/reject, and voice-assistant activation.
Battery life is the standout: up to 11 hours of music, 14 hours of talking, 200 hours standby on a single charge. For a run, a gym session, a commute or a full workday, that is comfortably enough. The IPX5 sweatproof rating means sweat is not going to kill it, and foldable construction plus a small carrying case make it pocket-friendly. One thing to note: there is no headphone jack — it is wireless only, so a dead battery means silence until you recharge.
Who is this for? Runners, cyclists, gym-goers, teens who want music without a band messing up their hair, and anyone who hates earbuds falling out. Who should skip it? Anyone buying this as hearing protection. The passive noise cancellation here is about filtering background chatter for music clarity — it is not a certified NRR device and should never be treated as one for a child at a loud event.
• Best for certified hearing protection → PROHEAR 032. The 25dB NRR with ANSI and CE certification is the whole point.
• Best for listening to music → itayak Behind. Bluetooth 5.0, dynamic drivers, full playback controls. PROHEAR has none of this.
• Best for young children (3–15) → PROHEAR 032. Adjustable sizing, even pressure distribution and a sticker-friendly shell are designed around kids.
• Best for sport and sweat → itayak Behind. IPX5 sweatproof and a 37-gram wrap-around fit that resists falling out.
• Best for battery life → itayak Behind. Up to 11 hours music and 14 hours talk versus a device with no battery at all.
• Best for hands-free calls → itayak Behind. Built-in microphone, call controls and voice-assistant activation.
• Best for portability → a tie, for different reasons. PROHEAR folds to about 55% with a carry bag; itayak folds into a small pouch or pocket.
• Best for a concert or fireworks show with your kid → PROHEAR 032. Do not put wireless music headphones on a child and call it hearing protection.
These two products barely compete — they solve opposite problems, and the honest answer is that most households shopping this comparison could reasonably own both. If I had to pick one, I would buy the PROHEAR 032, because protection is the harder thing to fake. A 25dB NRR with ANSI and CE certification, adjustable fit for ages 3–15, and a build meant to survive rough play is a specific, verifiable job done well. In my opinion, the itayak Behind is the better buy only if your real goal is wireless music and calls during exercise — and if that is your goal, it is a very good one.
PROHEAR 032. Its 25dB NRR and soft, even-pressure headband are designed for sensory-sensitive kids who need a quieter environment for school, homework or travel. The itayak Behind is an audio device for listening, not a certified hearing protector.
No, and you should not rely on them for that. The sheet lists passive noise cancellation, which filters background sound for clearer music. It carries no NRR safety rating, so it is not hearing protection.
No. There is no Bluetooth, no microphone and no audio jack. They reduce incoming sound only. If you want music and calls, the itayak Behind is the one with Bluetooth 5.0 and a built-in mic.
Both sit in different product categories, so value depends on your need rather than the sticker. Check the current price on Amazon for each and weigh it against whether you want protection or wireless audio — the specs above tell you which job each one actually does.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.