Loop Experience earplugs reduce noise by 20 decibels. By combining an acoustic channel and filter for natural sound, Loop protects your hearing in style. It helps reduce anxiety from noise triggers, makes one feel less stressed or impatient, and avoids outbursts of anger. Noise triggers a stress response in the Amygdala, a region of the brainstem. Our Amygdala learns what sounds might signal impending danger. When one of these sounds is detected, the Amygdala starts a release of cortisol (a stress hormone).

Someone with misophonia is typically disgusted or irritated by the sounds of people eating. Autistic people, or those with ADHD, sometimes find sounds extremely loud or have difficulty processing sounds in stressful or already noisy spaces. Some people with auditory sensitivity use noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones instead of earplugs. This is ideal if you want the best of both worlds – sound that you choose or total silence – with the push of a button. Now, the Calmer system is small, and if you fit them the wrong way you could end up losing them down your ear canal a bit too easily. Those who have concerns that they might be too big or too small for your size of the ear should rest easy as I found them very simple to fit so long as you insert them the right way. The material earplugs are made from helps to figure out whether they'll be comfortable for you or not. For example, foam earplugs tend to be the best at reducing sound, and some have a noise reduction rating of 32dB. However, these earplugs work by completely filling up your ear canal, a feeling some people don't like. If your problem is general noise, try an option like the Flare Calmer or Loop Experience. If your sensitivity stops you from enjoying concerts or live events, try the Vibes earplugs.The stem applies a little bit of friction and pressure to prevent it from doing that. Also, the correct insertion orientation means the natural bend in the silicone design grips in the right manner so it sits exactly where it should. You will find it surprisingly hard to push them improperly down your ear canal when inserted correctly.

Choosing the best noise-cancelling headphones if you have an auditory sensitivity is the same as finding the right earplugs – everyone is different. These are the only pair I can wear all day on calls while talking to people and around traffic without feeling cut off from the world. Because we all experience sound differently – even two neurodivergent people or those with the same hearing difficulties – it’s challenging to find the right solution.Take a look at our Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones review and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review, these are the most highly-recommended pairs of over-ear cans money can buy with class-leading ANC built-in. My first observation with the Calmer is that the highs become less edgy. The highs become subdued by a couple of decibels and it gives the Sundara’s a warmer sound signature which is softer in tone and more relaxing. Calmer’s technology is informed by research from Newcastle University and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL, which reported in the Journal of Neuroscience that many of the most unpleasant sounds, such as the scraping of a knife against a bottle, fall in the mid frequency range of about 2 kHz – 5 kHz. Our ears have evolved to alert us to stress by adding over 20 dB of mid-range resonance, which destroys our ability to hear high definition sound or relax in our modern noisy world. This is known as HRTF (Head Related Transfer Function). A small device worn in the ear to reduce stress. Calmer features a unique technology that reduces distortion in our ears and calms your environment in a subtle, but potentially life-changing way. dBud’s noise-reduction is certified with EPA and CE marking. It is tested and verified according to both the U.S. and the Europe standards.

They come in two sizes, both of which boast a tiered, nodule design, and are particularly well-suited for small ear canals. Plus, they’re made of silicone, which is a bonus for anyone with allergies or sensitivities. The earplugs have a stem on the end that makes insertion and removal a breeze. However, this stem can also make them somewhat uncomfortable for people who sleep on their sides. Not too flexible mind you, they do have a baseline of rigidity that allows them to retain their core shape. I am presuming that is an important feature because, in the end, they are about ‘shaping’ your ear canal to bring about those distortion-reducing benefits. It is designed specifically for Highly Sensitive Person, Meniere’s disease, migraine, headaches, misophonia, phonophobia, and ADHD. The earplugs are the ones you carry with you and use where you go, ready to use wherever there’s noise. There are two features to the Calmer design. The first is that they have a curved silicone hollow body with an ‘exhaust’ that is designed to capture sound and ‘transmit’ it into your ear as seamlessly as possible.The Bose noise cancelling headphone 700 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones and keep environmental sounds out. (Image credit: Bose)

Loop Experience earplugs reduce more sound than the Flare earplugs. They provide a low level of noise reduction, which means you can hear loud sounds, but sound is generally quietened enough for you to focus and reduce stress or overwhelm. Are noise-cancelling headphones better than earplugs? The Flare Calmer earplugs stand out from the rest as they're not designed to reduce noise drastically but reduce noise frequencies that are most likely to cause stress.During testing, I found these earplugs to be great for reducing stress throughout the day. I was, as the name suggests, calmer while wearing them. However, they didn't provide enough noise reduction when I wanted to really focus. I also found them to be a bit uncomfortable after a few hours of wear.