Earplugs for Autism
Comfortable earplugs for autism
Autism and heightened sensory sensitivity often go hand in hand. Sometimes, that can be a wonderful thing, allowing people with autism to experience things that other people might miss, and letting them see things from a different perspective.
But sometimes, it can be overwhelming. Sensory overload can be hard to deal with, when it feels like there’s a million different things all happening at once. There’s traffic outside. Background music. People laughing. Office chatter. A clothing label scratching at your neck. For autistic people, this can trigger sensory overload.
And for many autistic people, sound sensitivity can be a particular trigger. It affects everyone differently, but it can be stressful and overwhelming, which can have a big impact on mental health and wellbeing.
For many people with autism, this scenario might sound a little too familiar. Fortunately, there's a great way to take the edge off and turn down the volume of the world around you: Loop earplugs.
Loop Earplugs
Loop Engage™ 2
14 million happy customers
Our earplugs for autism
Loop Engage™ 2 Plus
Loop Switch™ 2
Loop Experience™ 2
Loop Quiet™ 2
How earplugs can help reduce noise levels for autistic people
If you feel stressed or anxious when you hear loud sounds (or any sounds), then reducing noise levels can help to create a calmer, quieter environment. And if you find that certain sounds cause extreme emotional responses, wearing earplugs to manage how loud your surroundings are can help you stay grounded, and make it easier to maintain your comfort and peace of mind.
When there’s lots of background noise, it can sometimes be difficult to engage in conversations and enjoy social events as it’s hard to focus. Often people will wear ear defenders for autism – but these block out noise entirely, making it even harder to communicate.
A more balanced option for daily life with autism, on the other hand, could be an earplug that filters sound waves rather than blocking them out, meaning that you can still enjoy social events and activities – just at a lower volume. When you reduce the noise, you can hit up social events with confidence, knowing you can socialize with all your favorite people – without the risk of overwhelm.
Why Loop Earplugs are your best option
Traditional foam earplugs and ear defenders block out noise – which is great in some situations, but not if you want to stay engaged with the world around you.
Not everyone with autism has the same experience when it comes to noise, but many do have some level of sound sensitivity – in fact, it’s been found that 50–70% of autistic children and adults have decreased sound tolerance (DST) at some point in their lives. That means it can be difficult to filter out background noise, making everyday environments feel overwhelming and stressful.
If you're autistic and looking for a gentler way to handle loud surroundings, the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is worth a look when choosing earplugs. NRR is a measure that’s used to indicate how effective hearing protection devices (like earplugs and earmuffs) are in reducing noise exposure. It’s measured in decibels (dB), and tells wearers what the potential reduction in noise level is when wearing that particular device. The higher the NRR, the more noise reduction a pair of earplugs, headphones or ear muffs offer.
Loop Engage 2 earplugs are designed with conversation in mind, filtering sound waves instead of blocking them out while offering up to 16 decibels (SNR) and 10 decibels (NRR) of noise reduction. They’re also made to limit the occlusion effect, which is that echoey, head-underwater feeling that you often get with earplugs.
That means they’re the perfect noise-reducing earplugs for autism, as they reduce sensory overload without impacting your ability to chat and connect – so you can always stay present, calm and focused.
Earplugs to turn down the volume
Noise sensitivity is something a lot of people live with, and it's a common experience within the autistic community. It can get in the way of work, relationships and socializing. So, Loop is here to make it easier to handle.
Gone are the days of giant headphones that block and muffle sound – we’ve been busy designing the best noise-reducing earplugs for autism. Check out Loop Experience and Loop Engage. Here’s the lowdown:
Collapsible content
Loop Experience 2
For extra protection, these autism earplugs reduce noise by up to 17 decibels. They feature an innovative acoustic channel that works to filter outside noise – making them the ideal noise-canceling earplugs for autism. But don’t worry – you’ll still hear all the important stuff and sound quality will never suffer.
Loop Engage 2
Loop Engage 2 are designed with conversation in mind. They offer up to 16 decibels of coverage and are designed to limit the ‘occlusion effect.’ Which is that echoey, head-underwater feeling you get with most earplugs. They’re the perfect noise-reducing earplugs for autism as they reduce sensory overload without impacting your ability to chat and connect. Allowing you to remain present, calm, and focused.
Both of them
° Offer maximum comfort, fitting snugly into all types of ears
° Come in multiple unique colors
° Include a handy Carry Case
° Are recommended for anyone over the age of 12 – so they’re ideal for older children too.
The best for a social gathering
I tried the new Loop Engage 2 Plus at a restaurant. I could finally sit back, enjoy the conversations, and not feel overwhelmed. An amazing solution for all the noise-sensitive communities as well as just for social gatherings.
- Ariana S.
I'm a universitystudent and suffer from autism. So I'm oversensitive when it comes to unwanted noises. My Loop Experience Plus earplugs allow me to "ignore" gossiping of my classmates in the room, but still allow me to listen to my professors. Thank you for making my lifemore manageable again.
- Vendula B.
Frequently asked questions
How can earplugs help individuals with autism?
Earplugs reduce the volume of external sounds, which means that you’re less likely to be thrown off by noise. Many people with autism are sensitive to sound, so by reducing the volume of the sounds, you’re more likely to feel calm and in control.
Do earplugs for autism completely block out all sounds?
It depends on the earplugs you choose! Traditional foam earplugs do block out noise, but earplugs like Loop Engage are designed to filter out sound waves so that you can still hear everything that’s going on around you – just at a lower volume.
Can earplugs be used in combination with other sensory tools?
How effective are earplugs reducing sensory overload and promoting calmness?
Earplugs can be a great way to help reduce sensory overload. For many neurodivergent minds, subtle volume control can help take the harsh edge off a loud world.