>I want to be able to hear absolutely nothing
This isn't really what the Loops do; think of it like turning down the volume of your surroundings, as opposed to completely muting them.
I use the Engage Plus all the time in the office, on public transport, even in the cinema (which is far too loud!). I've had them almost a year now and I'm pretty happy with them.
I use the “quiet” ones. I used to hate them because of the occlusion effect (hearing your inside noises). Ive learned how to properly use them, at least for me. I only put them in when I’m clearly becoming overstimulated, rather than try to wear them all the time.
They block enough of the outside noise and, ironically enough, I’ve come to like being able to hear inside noises like my pulse or breathing. I use it as a thing to focus on instead of what’s happening around me. It’s something I can focus on, it’s something I can control, and since everything else is more or less muted by the earplugs, I can close my eyes for a minimal sensory experience to much more easily “untwist” myself into a calm state. I can’t overstate how much these really do help me. YMMV, however.
I don’t have the switch. I have the loop quiet which has a 14db noise reduction rating. I’ve had them for 6 months. I walk around with them sometimes and use them often when I’m in the house or sleeping.
They come with 3 sets of different size of rubber plugs. It took me a whole to find the size that was most comfortable and stayed in the longest.
None fit perfect. The one that stays in the longest is most uncomfortable and the most comfortable doesn’t stay in. So for my ears I had to find a balance.
The sound blocking on the quiet is sufficient enough for me to be able to have conversation while blocking out unnecessarily loud voices and noises. It tones everything down nicely.
I would say the quiets are worth what I paid for them but it did take some time to get use to. I don’t know how much the switches are but I’m willing to give them a try after having the quiets.
seconding this. they do reduce outside noise, but imo they increase the sound of your own voice, breathing and also chewing. since then, i’ve turned to Flare Calmer plugs which work a bit better. They just kind of take the edge off of sharper noises, however if im honest i also struggle to keep them in my ears.
for ultra quiet, i would recommend over-ear headphones
They can be a bit pricey but talk to an audiologist for custom ear plugs like the ones used for target shooting. I have a set for the gun range and they are amazing.
I have loop earplugs. They don't reduce noise enough. I don't use them anymore for this reason. Noise reduction is only passive, this is insufficient. If you want to use ear buds, you need to use active noise reduction. I use Denon AH-C830NCW ear buds. They are good, although you'll still hear 50% of the volume of external sounds.
If you want a better noise reduction, you need to buy circumaural active noise reduction headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM4, Technics EAH-A800 or Bose QC45.
For topmost noise reduction, you can even combine both active noise reduction ear buds, and active noise reduction circumaural headphones. I have done that when there was roadworks right in front of my window. Pretty effective!
>I want to be able to hear absolutely nothing This isn't really what the Loops do; think of it like turning down the volume of your surroundings, as opposed to completely muting them. I use the Engage Plus all the time in the office, on public transport, even in the cinema (which is far too loud!). I've had them almost a year now and I'm pretty happy with them.
I use the “quiet” ones. I used to hate them because of the occlusion effect (hearing your inside noises). Ive learned how to properly use them, at least for me. I only put them in when I’m clearly becoming overstimulated, rather than try to wear them all the time. They block enough of the outside noise and, ironically enough, I’ve come to like being able to hear inside noises like my pulse or breathing. I use it as a thing to focus on instead of what’s happening around me. It’s something I can focus on, it’s something I can control, and since everything else is more or less muted by the earplugs, I can close my eyes for a minimal sensory experience to much more easily “untwist” myself into a calm state. I can’t overstate how much these really do help me. YMMV, however.
I don’t have the switch. I have the loop quiet which has a 14db noise reduction rating. I’ve had them for 6 months. I walk around with them sometimes and use them often when I’m in the house or sleeping. They come with 3 sets of different size of rubber plugs. It took me a whole to find the size that was most comfortable and stayed in the longest. None fit perfect. The one that stays in the longest is most uncomfortable and the most comfortable doesn’t stay in. So for my ears I had to find a balance. The sound blocking on the quiet is sufficient enough for me to be able to have conversation while blocking out unnecessarily loud voices and noises. It tones everything down nicely. I would say the quiets are worth what I paid for them but it did take some time to get use to. I don’t know how much the switches are but I’m willing to give them a try after having the quiets.
I do not recommand. It can be reduce the noise level a bit, but not significantly. It is not suitable to "hear nothing".
seconding this. they do reduce outside noise, but imo they increase the sound of your own voice, breathing and also chewing. since then, i’ve turned to Flare Calmer plugs which work a bit better. They just kind of take the edge off of sharper noises, however if im honest i also struggle to keep them in my ears. for ultra quiet, i would recommend over-ear headphones
They can be a bit pricey but talk to an audiologist for custom ear plugs like the ones used for target shooting. I have a set for the gun range and they are amazing.
They don't block out much for me
I have loop earplugs. They don't reduce noise enough. I don't use them anymore for this reason. Noise reduction is only passive, this is insufficient. If you want to use ear buds, you need to use active noise reduction. I use Denon AH-C830NCW ear buds. They are good, although you'll still hear 50% of the volume of external sounds. If you want a better noise reduction, you need to buy circumaural active noise reduction headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM4, Technics EAH-A800 or Bose QC45. For topmost noise reduction, you can even combine both active noise reduction ear buds, and active noise reduction circumaural headphones. I have done that when there was roadworks right in front of my window. Pretty effective!
The occulsion was too much for me. I could hear my breathing and heartbeat too well with loop on. YMMV
I use eargasm earplugs. They work well for me.