Are your ears under assault? In today’s world, it feels as if the volume has been turned up, not just on social media, but in movie theaters, on the subway and in conversations on the sidewalk that you never asked to be part of.
Along with writing, I’m a professional violinist and my ears are my livelihood, so I’m always searching for the best earplugs. For years, I sat in orchestras where the brass section would soar over the strings, punctuating my eardrums on repeat. I’ve tried everything from drugstore foam to $100-plus custom-molded sets, but nothing has protected my hearing while looking this good like Loop.
What are Loop Earplugs?
Loop Earplugs are a modern take on hearing protection that prioritizes both acoustic performance and personal style before the hearing aids roll in. It’s like Korean skincare: a preventive measure to slow aging.
Unlike traditional foam plugs that muffle sound and often feel intrusive, Loop uses a combination of an internal acoustic channel and a patented filter to attenuate noise while maintaining sound clarity.
This allows users to lower the volume of their environment, from concerts and busy offices to even while sleeping. But Loop does it in such a way without losing the ability to hear conversations or the nuances of the music and dialogue.
Backed by over 6,000 acoustic measurements and extensive testing, these earplugs protect long-term hearing health with up to 10 years of research distilled into their design.
By offering different levels of decibel reduction across its product line, Loop helps users reclaim their focus and well-being in an increasingly loud world.
Pros:
- Solid flexible silicone
- Side-sleeper friendly
- Vibrant color options
- Long-term wear comfort
- Great Loop earplugs for flights
- Comes with multiple silicone heads in various sizes for a custom fit
Cons:
- Manual insertion required
Because these are made of solid, flexible silicone with no internal filters, they act as a physical barrier to sound. They are specifically designed to maximize noise reduction, making them ideal for blocking out those loud platform ads or finding a moment of silence while your soulmate is nearby.
Their soft construction also makes them the most comfortable option for long-term wear during much-needed me time.
I wear mine every night and sometimes during the day, depending on the jackhammers outside or when it’s street-sweeping day and the horns blare.
Pros:
- Jewelry-like aesthetic
- Solid flexible silicone
- Long-term wear comfort
- Comes with multiple silicone heads in various sizes for a custom fit
Cons:
- Manual insertion required
Unlike standard plugs that muffle everything, these contain a sophisticated acoustic filter. They allow sound waves to enter through a hollow channel, preserving the music or film while reducing the loudspeakers’ dangerous intensity.
Many of us violinists lose hearing in our left ear faster than our right ear because of how the instrument sits under the jaw. I use these to practice; they filter the harsh overtones of my own violin without making me feel disconnected from the sound.
However, Loops created the Loop Switch 2, which is even more sophisticated by allowing you to control, with a switch on the earplug, how much dialogue comes through. I think this will be my next upgrade for practicing.
My Loop earplugs review
Do loop earplugs work? In a word, yes. Let me start by telling you how comfortable these are. No Apple headphones or any other earbuds I’ve tested have come close to the comfort of the silicone Loops, which stay gently in place even when I’m side-sleeping. They even come in a lot of fun colors and look like jewelry in your ear.
Worried about getting the right fit? Don’t be. Every pair of Loops includes a variety of interchangeable silicone ear tips. You can easily swap them out to find the size that feels most secure and comfortable for your unique ear shape.
I get very overwhelmed by the sounds in this city; as you can imagine, New York is loud. Every morning, I take the subway to work, where the screech of steel on tracks usually grinds in my ear and the overhead talking leads to sensory overload. Many commuters use headphones to silence the world by pumping more audio into their ears. I’m not opposed to this — in fact, I use my headphones often to listen to audiobooks or jam out to my favorite artists, but sometimes I need silence to let my mind wander without being disturbed.
When I first started using Loop, I had no idea there were multiple choices until I went its website. You can take an online quiz to find the Loops that work best for you, and I highly suggest it. Based on my journey, here is how the different models have worked for me:
- Loop Quiet 2: These were my first purchase via Amazon. Even as a side-sleeper, I found these to be the first earplugs that didn’t make my ears ache by morning. They are my go-to earplugs every single night, so you can’t go wrong if you want to silence the world.
- Loop Experience 2: I started using these about eight months after my first pair of Quiet 2’s. I’ve found they work best at the movie theater and concerts, just as advertised. They’re perfect if you just want a little ear candy while protecting your hearing.
I didn’t take the quiz initially, but if I had, I would have known immediately that I wanted to upgrade to the Loop Switch 2, which offers a crisper sound while still providing protection. They seem like a good way to navigate my lifestyle, especially when someone is speaking to me or when practicing my violin. I want to take in all the information down to every last minuscule detail, and it can be hard at times with the Loop Experience Earplugs. When at the movies, I sometimes take one earplug out to hear very soft dialogue and then place it back in when the music is taking me on a cinematic journey. So I can’t help but wonder if the Loop Switch 2 is the best choice for me.
Which Loop is Right For You?
While the Quiet 2 and Experience 2 are my personal essentials, Loop has expanded its lineup to cover almost every noisy scenario imaginable. If you aren’t sure where to start, their website offers a quick quiz to dial in your perfect configuration. Below is a small breakdown of the type of scenarios you may encounter and the erplug that is right for you.
Loop Quiet 2: Deep focus, commuting and blocking out a snoring partner.
Loop Experience 2: Live music, festivals and protecting your ears at the movies.
Engage 2: Social gatherings and parenting; reduces background “echo” while keeping voices clear.
Loop Dream: Their premium sleep-specific plug is designed for maximum overnight comfort.
Loop Switch 2: The all-in-one option if you can’t decide which one is right for you. It has a mechanical switch that toggles between three levels of noise relief, though it costs $59.99.
Are Loop earplugs worth it?
A thousand times, yes! I would choose these earplugs because they are so comfortable. You barely know they are there, and they are super effective.
The right pair for you might be completely different than what I chose. Either way, I recommend taking the quiz first, so you know exactly which version fits your life.
Although the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs do not completely silence everything, they muffle crucial sounds so they do not disturb you. I never travel without them and keep a spare set in my travel bag for the airplane.
How we tested
I’ve tested Loops for over a year and have found them incredibly helpful in not only quieting the outside world, but also in the sanctuary of my own home. I’ve used them navigating NYC subways, practicing violin and attending live performances. For this review, I gauged how easy it was to maintain focus in a small shared living space, as well as compared comfort and decibel reduction during sleep.
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