Is it me or is life always bombarding us with noise everywhere? It can come from the sound of traffic outside or the voices of the people around you. It could also be from the soft humming sounds of gadgets and appliances running nearby. These are things that I try to ignore if I can. But sometimes, it can be very annoying and stressful when you cannot find some peace. I have been looking for ways to block out the noise and enjoy as much silence as I can. One way that has helped me recently has been a recent discovery: Loop Experience earplugs.
There are five types of earplugs from Loop. They have the Experience, Experience Plus, Quiet, Engage, and Engage Plus. The one that I purchased was the Loop Experience. I did not know what kind of things to expect from a product at that price point. I decided to look up what people tend to look for in good earplugs to see if what I purchased was worth it. I bought these for around PhP 1,500 or approximately US$ 27.
Here is my review of the Loop Experience based on what people look for when choosing good earplugs:
Noise Reduction
According to most websites, noise reduction ranges from 16-22dB are ideal for concerts. The Loop Experience has a noise reduction of 18db. I used it at a concert, and I was able to enjoy the show with it. I experienced the show without it being too loud or reducing the sound in a way that I would not enjoy it. The noise level was perfect for me. As mentioned on their website, the Loop experience does not block sound. The earplugs only reduce the volume, keeping the sound quality clear while using it. During the concert, I loved that it protected my ears but I could still hear the performance. I did not experience the feeling when loud sounds pound in your ear while wearing them.
If you are looking to use earplugs to cancel or block out noise, the Loop Experience is not the one for you. There are other types of Loops on their website that would be a better fit for that purpose. The Loop noise-cancelling earplugs are the Quiet and Engage/Engage Plus. The Engage Plus also has a mute ring that you can add to further reduce noise.
Fit
This is an important factor for me. I have always had this issue when it comes to earbuds I have used through the years. They need to fit well without being irritating and fit right to help with noise reduction.
I loved that the Loop Experience fit well in my ears. It did not move or fall off no matter how much I moved around. Having them fall off often is something that is an issue with some of the earbuds I have owned. These earplugs fit so well that I sometimes forget when I have them on because they feel so comfortable in my ears. I love that my earplugs also included four sets of silicone ear tips. It made it easier to choose the perfect size for me to use.
Material/Durability
The earplugs are plastic with silicone ear tips. I love the design with the ring because it makes the earplugs easy to put on and take out. I also love that it looks good when you’re wearing them. According to Loop, the ring is not only for aesthetic purposes. It is part of their patented acoustic channel that helps filter the sound volume. It protects your ears without compromising sound quality. As they said on the site, it takes off the edge but you remain engaged.
The design and the material also make it easy to clean so I can reuse it again. It also comes in a carry case that you can attach to a keychain so you can take it with you to use anytime you need it.
I am very happy with my Loop Experience. It checked all the boxes (so to speak) of the things people look for in good earplugs for concerts. Plus, there are other benefits to the Loop Experience that I did not expect.
Added Benefit #1: Stress/Anxiety Reducer
A friend told me that she had been using the Loop Experience while going out to the mall. She said it helped with her anxiety about being in public. Having them on muffled the amount of noise that was causing her unnecessary stress in public. I did not know that and decided to try it out for myself.
I was skeptical about the idea that something so small could help something I have had an issue with for a while now. I did not think it would work but it did! I tend to get distracted when there’s too much going on around me. My issue with noise means my anxiety tends to act up around a lot of people because of it. Wearing the Loop Experience reduced that sound and my anxiety while I was wearing it.
Added Benefit #2: Helps with Focus and Concentration
Due to the reduced volume of sound, the Loop Experience helps with my focus and concentration. I started wearing it at the office when I had a lot of things to work on. I found that the reduced distraction helped me to work better. If you’re looking for great earplugs for office use, this would be a good one.
This was so good I did have to remind myself sometimes that I was wearing them. I often forgot I had them on until I realized people were leaning in to hear what I had to say. Due to the reduced sound, it turns out I spoke a lot softer than I’m used to! This might be why Loop has earplugs that work better for this purpose. They have earplugs that have noise reduction but are still good for conversations. If that is what you want, go for the Loop Engage or Engage Plus.
Added Benefit #3: Travel Comfort
There are people like me who prefer having earplugs for travel. Earplugs help to ease anxiety from travel, particularly on planes. They also reduce ear pressure and the sound that makes people nervous during flights. It did not completely reduce pressure, but it did reduce the sound. That was very helpful to use when I traveled via plane.
Due to the effectiveness of these earplugs, I have been happy with my Loop Experience. In fact, I have now placed another one of their earplugs on my wish list. The Loop Quiet's function is for use during sleep. They do this through its flexible silicone material and higher noise reduction technology.
I would love to have a pair of the Loop Quiet. It would not only be great for sleeping but also give me greater focus while working. The higher noise reduction (which is at 26db) is very appealing to me. But I'm not sure it would be safe to wear while walking around. It might not be safe to be completely unaware of my surroundings because of how quiet it might get.
Did I mention that Loop’s earplugs come in a variety of colors? I am, unfortunately, a bit boring and less adventurous when it comes to color selection. I chose basic black, but there are four to nine colors to choose from depending on the type of Loops you are getting. My friend had chosen a lighter color and it looked great. I loved that the colors make the earplugs not only functional but also a good way to accessorize. Form and function in one product!
If there is one thing that I did not like about my Loop Experience, it’s that it came in a small box. It was a soft type of cardboard that didn’t exactly close. You can secure the earplugs in its case, but the silicone ear tips are in little wedges designed into the box. You could lose them if you dropped the box because they weren't secured inside. This happened to me once and I had to crawl all over the floor looking for the ear tips when I dropped the box. If they had a separate case or a sealable box for those ear tips, this product would have been perfect!
Are these the best earplugs for concerts? For me, the answer is yes! They are great for concerts, definitely. But they are also focus-enhancing and good earplugs for anxiety relief! I did not appreciate the benefits of earplugs until I got my Loop earplugs!
Has anyone else out there needed earplugs? What brands have you tried? Before my Loops, I have only ever used the ones they sometimes give you on planes! This has been a new and pleasant experience for me. Are there any other brands of earplugs that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments and share your own experience!
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