I tested Loop earplugs at the Eras Tour, here's my honest review
Taylor Swift has just finished eight sold-out Wembley Stadium shows, and luckily for me I was attending the final show so had gathered all the best tips on what to bring, when to arrive, and the optimal time for a bathroom break.
The most important thing that every single friend flagged was the sheer level of noise on the Eras Tour. Just how loud is it, you ask? One of my friend's Apple Watch alerted her that the sound levels had hit 90 decibels, and that around 30 minutes at that level can cause temporary hearing loss.
As someone who is a keen concert goer and spent much of my youth at the front of mosh pits at very loud rock concerts, I am becoming increasingly aware of the impact that regular loud live music can have on hearing loss. So, in an effort to protect and preserve my hearing, I tested out Loop earplugs for the first time, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer.
💸 Reasons to buy
My main concern and the biggest reason why I've never purchased earplugs before is because I want to be able to fully hear the music. After all, what's the point in going to a concert if you can't be immersed in the experience?
While Loop have several earplug options, I went for the Experience 2, which have been specifically designed for protection during live music and events. This means they filter noise by 17dB, so music stays clear, but at a safer volume. Meanwhile, the newly upgraded design combines an improved acoustic channel, and an optimised mesh layer and membrane before it gets to the ear tip for crisper sound quality.
These earplugs have been specially designed to protect your hearing at live music and events and I certainly put them to the test at the Eras Tour.
I was super surprised that they didn't impact my listening experience at all, apart from the fact that I did lose my awareness of how loud I was speaking, but I think that will come with practise the more I wear them.
As for how one pair of earplugs can fit any ear size, Loop's earplugs have been so thoughtfully designed that they're light years ahead of the annoying foam ones I've tried before, which never seem to stay in your ears for long. With each pair of Loop earplugs, you get a set of four silicone ear tips (in XS, S, M, and L sizes) that are interchangeable for a personalised, secure, and surprisingly comfortable fit.
What you get inside:
1 x set of Loop earplugs
4 x sets of silicone ear tips to personalise the fit
1 x carry case for safe keeping
I tried on the smaller sizes and ended up finding that XS was the best fit. They stayed perfectly in place in my ears all night long, even with all the jumping around.
When it came to protecting my ears, by some miracle, I walked away from the gig without the usual ringing in my ears that I would normally get for hours afterward, so that's definitely a win. Plus, knowing that I didn't damage my hearing from a night of fun gives me peace of mind.
These Loop earplugs will now absolutely be a staple for me whenever I go to a live event, and to be honest, I wish I had bought some sooner.
✋ Reasons to avoid
At the moment, I don’t have much constructive criticism, but as I continue to test the earplugs, I’ll update this article with any drawbacks I encounter.
I think the most important aspect is to try on all the silicone ear tips when you first get the earplugs to figure out what the best fit is for you that won't budge.
Taylor Swift was so loud that at one point my sister asked if she could have an earplug. She used one of the larger tips, which didn’t stay in her ears as effectively as mine. But I think as long as you figure out the snuggest fit for you before you go to a gig, you’ll be all set.
Loop also has a ton of other models available, depending on whether you’re after a pair of earplugs best for sleep, deep focus, social gatherings, parenting, or noise sensitivity - you can check out all their bestsellers here.
