Thanks to LOOP for sending over the Engage & Engage Kids earplugs. All thoughts are my own!

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly... ’tis the season to be.. In loud venues with blaring sounds ranging from students attempting recital music to holiday rock concerts. Add in department store music, the din and echo found in most restaurants, and general noise from holiday display construction, it's a no wonder that many of us have trouble focusing this time of year, let alone any time of year. 

When I enter a loud venue, I get overwhelmed. I often can't hear the conversations immediately surrounding me because the background noise gets too high, distracting me, and thus I end up feeling disassociated with the experience.

I know my nephew has noise sensitives too, his ranging from irritating noises (i.e.- someone eating near him) to trouble focusing during certain types of settings.

When I heard about Loop Earplugs, I knew that this would make a great birthday & Christmas Gift for my nephew but would also help me out, especially as I head towards Christmas Eve services at my local church. Our sanctuary can be really loud once the entire band, concert musicians, organ, etc. play at each of our services, and I often end up with headaches from the noises and/or concentrating so hard. 

Loop Earplugs are designed to help block background noise so that participants can focus on the things that matter. There are different kinds based on your experiences and need. For each of us, we were sent a pair of Engage Loop earplugs. Caleb is receiving the Loop Engage for Kids and I have the adult Engage. 

Available types include: Quiet, Experience, and Engage. If you aren't sure of your needs, then take Loop's quiz. The quiz will ask you questions about what you are looking for, what you are having difficulties with, and will provide you the best recommendations. 

Engage Kids is a new line of Loop products made specifically for kids that launched this past August. Not only are they made to fit into the ears of children, they are designed for children's hearing too. Engage Kids reduces and filters noise up to 18dB (decibel), which might resemble leaves rustling, mosquitoes, etc. Made for kids ages 6+, it's recommended to use them in 90-minute sessions, with a max of 3 hours per day. 

Engage Kids lowers sound so that kinds can focus and concentrate from playtime to schoolwork time. With less sound bothering them, anxiety in children should lower as well. Ear tips come in XXS-M sizes, so that the ear tips specifically fit into kids ears and won't fall out. 

A cool carrying case is available. I recommend finding a cord or chain so that your child can help you keep track of their case. 

What comes with? The set of Loop Earplugs, the Carry Case, and ear tips- one pair each of XXS, XS, S, and M sets. An instruction QR code leads to video to discuss how to change out the ear tips and wear the Loop products. The ear tip change-out isn't complicated, but because they are so small, you might (as I did) have trouble popping the earbuds into the correct size ear tips. 

Loop earplugs also come in cool colors to entice kids as well! Plus, it will help them keep track of them. They are made with non-toxic silicone that's hypoallergenic but won't affect or damage ear canal growth in the long run. They have been tested extensively and are safe for kids to wear, but still allow them to be able to hear. The Engage helps to filter background noise out so that kids can focus on what's most important, particularly if sensitive to certain noises or conditions. 

I would also recommend checking into the Loop Link cord along with a keychain/lanyard for the case. The cord will secure your earplugs so that you don't have to worry about losing them when removing them. They will stay in your ears or around your neck no matter what you are doing! A Magnetic closure will also prevent any choking hazards as well.

The Adult Engage offers the same amount of protection as the Engage Kids, except it offers 16dB noise reduction and, along with Engage Kids, promises to provide Certified Hearing Protection. I am excited to wear my Adult Engage earplugs in lots of different settings. Being in youth ministry, a lot of events get very overwhelming, very fast! I also love theatre, love movies, and love concerts-all scenarios that are super loud and overbearing for my ears. 

The Adult Engage comes with the same things: a case, a pair of Loop engage earbuds, and ear tips ranging from sizes XS- L. Small was the perfect size for my ears. They are super easy to put in. The instructional video informs the user to insert in the ear and turn. The earplugs should not be visible from the front, and should fit snugly into your ear without movement. Mine stayed in and didn't fall out like other earbuds do. 

The Adult Engage filters out noise much in the same way and helps to promote concentration while preventing anxiety in loud social situations. I immediately noticed that I can stay present and focused on conversations when before background noise would distract me. I can still hear the conversations going on around me, almost at regular volume, but background noise is muted.

It's amazing how technology develops ways for our ears to filter out certain noises while using earplugs and earbuds! If extra noise filtration is needed, check out Engage Plus, as a Loop Mute accessory is included to provide an extra 5dB of noise reduction. I could see that being useful in certain situations, like stadiums, packed concert venues, etc. 

Engage is meant for social gatherings, noise sensitivity, parenting, and conversation over louder events like concerts and motorcycling. If you think that you will utilize them more in those types of settings, then check out Loop Experience. Honestly, I might have to purchase a pair of those as well, or at least grab a pair of Loop Mute accessories for extra help. Loop Engage will be perfect for most of my daily life-loud restaurants, work, etc. Once outdoor concert season hits, or next summer's major youth events, I might need to invest in the Loop Experience.

I am also excited to test them out in daily work life too, because as parents know, kids are loud. They are loud in church ministry events, too, because they are excited. From little kids to teens, the noise can become overwhelming at times. I am excited to have a solution to help me focus on conversations and not totally disappear into myself when it gets too loud!

After wearing loop to a couple of shorter work events, I can say that the Engage is great for daily life. I wore these during Sunday lunch when super loud football games were blaring and all the background noise disappeared. I could focus on the conversation being said around me! In fact, I had my earplugs out during the grace and couldn't hear the person speaking at all. As soon as I put them in, I could hear him perfectly clear. Restaurants, Sunday Worship, Kids Fellowship events-helps me to focus and still hear well and clear-on what matters!

I highly recommend you invest in a pair of Loop earplugs this holiday season-for the entire family. Everyone can protect ears and use ear protection, regardless of age and status. No matter if it is your child's holiday recital and that recorder is just a pitch too high, another holiday pops concert, or the din of adults at the latest office party, Loop Earplugs are definitely for you!

Thanks, Loop, for participating in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, head over to MBP. There's still plenty of time for Santa to bring something to your front door!

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Find your pair of Loop Engage & Engage Kids earplugs to diminish background noises and focus on what matters this holiday season.

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Do you ever use earplugs? What types of situations?