Modern life can be noisy — from ear-splitting concerts to crowded, buzzing bars, thundering trains and rushing cars and thousands of other stimuli. Owing to the constant rush of noise we’re bombarded with, peace and relative silence, or at least the concept of it, has become somewhat of a buzzword. Brands like Museum of Peace & Quiet and Quiet Golf have created an entire ethos around the idea of the luxury in silence, and big enterprises like Nike aren’t ignorant of it either: you need to look no further than their “Noise Cancelling” pack from 2018 as proof of concept. Even “stealth wealth,” the old money style enjoying a moment of mainstream popularity thanks to Succession, is centered around showing your wealth in a quiet and subtle way instead of a loud and ostentatious one.
Though the brands and styles above may aspire to serenity in a more figurative fashion than a literal one, Loop Earplugs, a brand created by two high school friends in 2016, aims for both. Founders Maarten Bodewes and Dimitri O were both avid music fans who often experienced tinnitus, a harsh ringing and buzzing in their ears after concerts and festivals. This unpleasant experience had a silver lining, though: it lead to the creation of their brand.
Earplugs have not historically been viewed as “cool.” When most people think of earplugs, they think of brightly-colored foam nubs, stuffed in a wearer’s ear in a desperate attempt to take the edge off of loud concerts or events. Loop, however, combines function and form in a way reminiscent of sunglasses, an item that was originally created strictly for functional purposes but eventually became an aesthetic choice as well. The brand’s products don’t look like standard earplugs: they’re almost entirely invisible, except for a small, earing-like circle that’s present atop the ear canal, giving off a vibe that’s more jewelry than protective equipment.
Loop Earplugs
Loop Earplugs
Loop Earplugs
Though Loop earplugs were initially created to cut the noise of concerts without sacrificing audio clarity, they’ve since expanded into different models with varying levels of noise reduction, ranging from -16 to -27 decibels. The Engage cuts down the chaff of daily life, enabling wearers to focus on conversation or work in a noisy environment. The Experience, Loop’s original design, is all about sound quality, and is ideal for live music. The Quiet is the most powerful of the bunch, and was designed for instances in which maximum minimization is necessary (like sleeping).
Each is also available in a wide variety of colors, ranging from bright metallic gold to rich bordeaux, and, unlike expensive custom earplugs that can cost upwards of $100 USD, prices run from $20-$40 USD. Head over to the Loop Earplugs webstore now to check them out for yourself.
Elsewhere, have a gander at HYPEBEAST’s new feature on Frank Ocean, which explores the ever-shifting relationship between the popular-yet-reclusive singer and his avid fans.
