Loop Earplugs Review – A Game-Changer for Sensory Overload (for Kids and Grown-Ups)

I grew up in a house that wasn’t chaotic, but man, it was loud. Not because of drama or yelling or any of that—just... my brother. He had this incredible (and by that, I mean terrible) habit of choosing the most aggressively annoying instruments on Earth to “learn.” First it was the flute, then accordion, and just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, bagpipes. That’s not music, that’s an airborne assault on tranquility. Legal torture, really.

So yeah, I’ve had a lifelong appreciation for quiet—or at least the ability to turn the volume down on the world when needed.

Decades later, I’ve got a 7-year-old grandson who’s figuring out how to navigate life with ADHD and ODD. And these days, the chaos doesn’t come from rogue instruments—it’s from the school cafeteria, the gym during PE, and just the general overstimulation that comes with being a kid in 2025. Bright lights, echoing voices, constant movement—his brain doesn’t get a break, and when that sensory load hits critical mass, he spins out. Nothing serious, just your standard “getting in trouble” stuff. Fidgety. Distracted. Overwhelmed. But it was happening a lot.

Enter: Loop Earplugs

Now, his parent has been using Loops for years in a loud retail environment and swears by them. I’ve used my Apple earbuds the same way—sometimes not even playing anything, just as a buffer against the day. So we thought… why not try a pair of Loops for the little guy?

We picked up the Loop Engage Kids, which are designed specifically for younger ears and situations like school, playdates, and all the chaotic kid stuff. He was hesitant at first. I mean, he’s 7. Anything new is either “the best thing ever” or “weird.” But after the first day using them at school, he came home and said:

“It brings the noise from a 12 down to a 6.”

Not bad for a kid who usually describes things in terms of dinosaurs or snacks. That line stuck with me, though, because it’s exactly what Loop earplugs do. They don’t mute the world—they just take the edge off. It’s like someone finally gave you a volume knob for life.

From Meltdowns to Manageable

The difference was almost immediate. He started using them in the cafeteria and during PE—those were the hotspots for overstimulation—and things calmed down. His teachers noticed it too. He was more grounded, more focused, and just more… himself. Not on edge. Not amped up to 100 before lunch.

And because Loops don’t look like a medical device or some clunky hearing protector, there’s no stigma. He thinks they look cool. I agree—they’ve got this sleek, modern design, kind of like something out of a sci-fi movie, but subtle enough that no one’s going to say a word. That alone is worth a ton when you're 7 and don’t want to feel “different.”

No Bluetooth, No Batteries, No BS

One of the things I really love—especially for kids—is that there’s no Bluetooth, no wires, no charging, no app. Just good old-fashioned physics and smart design. It’s not tech—it’s science. Pressure and acoustic filtering, done right. And as someone who’s now dealing with real hearing damage from decades of headphones, loud gigs, and way too much hair metal (yes, Dad, you were right)… I love that it’s non-invasive and passive. Nothing buzzing in your skull. Just peace.

Not Just for Kids

I ended up getting the Loop Experience Plus for myself—not because I’m going to school, but because sometimes the world’s just too much. These offer a little more reduction than the Engage line, and they come with a mute insert if you want to block things out even more. They're great for work, focus, or just existing in public spaces without losing your mind.

They come in different models depending on how much noise reduction you want—Quiet, Engage, Experience, and so on. For kids in loud environments, the Engage Kids model seems just right. For adults, it depends if you want to stay alert (Engage) or fade the noise even more (Experience Plus or Quiet).

✅ Pro Tip for Parents

If you’re getting a pair for your kid, do yourself a favor and grab a Loop-compatible lanyard like this one from Amazon. It’s basically a little leash for the earplugs—just snaps on and keeps them from disappearing during recess or ending up in the Lost & Found void. We’re already on set number two for the school year, but they’ve helped him so much, it’s worth every cent. That little bit of insurance goes a long way.

Final Thoughts

Loop Earplugs aren’t just a clever design—they’re a legit support tool.
For my grandson, they’ve turned a stressful, overstimulating part of his day into something manageable. For his teacher, it means one less meltdown to deal with. And for me, it’s one of those rare little things that actually does what it promises—without fanfare or fuss.

Loops for adults. Loops for kids. Loops for anyone who’s ever said, “Can everyone just please shut up for like two minutes?”

Highly recommend. 12/10. Would have saved my sanity in the bagpipe era.