Since turning 40 a few years ago, I’ve become super sensitive to noise and prefer to be in environments where I can almost hear a pin drop. I also struggle to get a good night’s sleep. That’s why I jumped at the chance to test Loop Earplugs’ new model designed specifically for sleep—the Loop Dream.
I’d never used earplugs overnight before. Sure, I’ve tried to insert the squishy, foam ones that are often handed out on international flights, but as soon as I squeeze them into my ears, they slowly work their way back out.
I was curious to see if reducing noise was the secret to achieving an elusive deep sleep on a nightly basis.
Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep per night, but I fall short by an hour most nights. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night, unable to go back to sleep for about 30 to 45 minutes. The slightest noise can interrupt my dreams. Could these $49.95 tiny silicone earplugs be the answer?
Getting the right fit
Just a few months ago, I realized that I have small ears. That bit of self-awareness made fitting my earplugs much easier. Thankfully, each of Loop Dream’s earplugs come with a variety of sizes ranging from extra small to large. I opted for the extra small.
Despite finding the right size, I still struggled getting the proper fit at first. I turned to the user guide and viewed the diagrams, but that didn’t help.
After watching one of the brand’s YouTube videos and reading user comments, I figured out how to properly insert them. I had to pull my ear back and gently place the earplug inside my ear canal, keeping the loop flat. Finally, they were snugly in place.
How Loop Dream earplugs work
I knew they were finally placed correctly because the room’s noise level was drastically reduced. I purposely kept the TV on to see if they would dull the sound blaring from my flatscreen. It did.
Even though the Loop Dream earplugs were specially engineered for sleep comfort, I was skeptical that I would be able to comfortably sleep on my side. When I placed my head on my pillow, I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t the slightest discomfort. Before I knew it, I’d drifted off to sleep.
“Loop Dream was built specifically for sleep comfort, especially for side sleepers,” Ben Horgan, product marketing manager at Loop tells Fortune. “The earplug body is built to distribute pressure evenly across a small diameter to reduce discomfort on your ears.”
Of course, comfort and noise reduction are the goals for earplugs. However, you don’t want to block out essential sounds like a baby crying or an alarm. Loop’s designers kept that in mind.
“At 27 decibels (dB), Loop Dream blocks out the annoying noises you don’t want to hear like a noisy neighbor or a snoring partner, but allows you to hear those essential sounds,” says Horgan. “Every feature in the Loop Dream was designed to provide the most comfortable sleeping experience possible.”
The power of quality sleep
It’s no secret that getting a good night’s rest can reap myriad health benefits including, lower risk for diabetes and heart disease, thinking more clearly, less stress, and improved mood.
Conversely, a lack of quality slumber can lead to obesity, and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, even low-level noises can negatively impact sleep. In fact, studies have shown that even ambient noise can disturb sleep patterns.
I woke up feeling refreshed after I’d managed to successfully score seven full hours of uninterrupted sleep. I was shocked that I slept consistently and comfortably wearing earplugs, and I’ll be using them nightly from now on.
