A Gamer’s Guide to Noise-Reducing Earplugs

Gaming is all about focus and immersion, but external distractions or high noise levels can pull you out of the experience. Noise-reducing earplugs can enhance your gaming experience by protecting your ears and helping you to find your focus – whether you’re a competitive player or enjoy solo gameplay.

The noise factor in gaming

Gaming requires focus. Whether you’re into RPG games, prefer strategic play, or like to get involved in multiplayer games, they all require some level of focus and attention. But there are plenty of things that can distract you when you’re gaming at home, from background chatter to general household noise. These distractions can pull you out from your immersion in the game – and could even cost you the win in games that require split-second decisions.

And that’s not to mention that noise levels in games can actually be potentially damaging to your hearing, too. Studies have shown that the average headphone noise levels in four shooting games were between 88.5 and 91.2 decibels – higher than the typically safe noise levels of 80 dB. Another study found that ‘impulse sounds’ (which are short bursts of loud noise, like shooting noises) reached levels as high as 119 dB).

That means there’s two key reasons why you should wear noise-reducing earplugs for gamers: to reduce distracting noise coming from elsewhere in your home, and to keep your ears safe from high noise levels within the game.

Benefits of noise-reducing earplugs for gaming

There are many benefits to gaming earplugs, whether you’re playing alone or with friends, including:

  • Improved focus and reaction time: When you’re playing, every millisecond counts. Noise-reducing earplugs reduce distractions from external sources, helping you to stay focused and react faster to in-game events.
  • Enhanced immersion: Ensure you’re fully absorbed by the story with earplugs for gaming that reduce background noise, allowing you to fully engage with the world and characters.
  • Hearing protection: Noise levels in games can be high, especially if you wear headphones while playing. Gaming earplugs provide a protective barrier, reducing noise to safer levels and reducing the risk of hearing damage.
  • Comfort for long gaming sessions: Designed with soft materials, noise-reducing earplugs like Loop Engage and Loop Engage Plus offer a snug fit, ensuring comfort, even during marathon gaming sessions.

When to use earplugs while gaming

Any gamer can benefit from earplugs while gaming, no matter where you’re playing:

  • At noisy gaming events: LAN parties and esports tournaments can be lots of fun – but they can also be super loud. That’s why earplugs are a good idea, helping you stay focused on your gameplay, while reducing overwhelming background noise.
  • During online sessions: Precision and concentration are critical when you’re playing online, especially if you’re playing with others. Earplugs can help to reduce household distractions (including everything from barking dogs to household appliances), while reducing overwhelming background noise.
  • For solo gameplay: Even in single-player games, distractions like background chatter and householder noise can cause you to lose focus or break your immersion in the game. Earplugs reduce noise levels and distractions, helping you to fully concentrate and immerse yourself in the experience.

Choosing the earplugs for gaming

When it comes to choosing the best earplugs for gaming, there are several things to think about to make sure they’re comfortable and reduce noise to a safer level, including:

  • Materials: Earplugs come in various different materials, including foam, silicone and custom-molded options. Foam is typically more affordable but foam earplugs are single-use, so may end up costing more in the long-run. Silicone earplugs are durable and reusable, while also being soft and comfortable to wear. Custom-molded earplugs are a more expensive option that provide a good fit and comfort.
  • Features: Look out for earplugs that have a secure fit, and soft materials for all-day comfort. They should also have an appropriate noise reduction rating to ensure they reduce noise to safer levels without muffling essential game audio.
  • Budget: How much do you want to spend on your earplugs? With such a wide range on the market, there are earplugs for every budget, from affordable to premium opinions.


Earplugs like Loop Engage and Loop Engage Plus are the ideal choice for serious gamers looking for comfort, durability, and advanced features.

Tips for using earplugs effectively

To ensure your earplugs fit properly, it’s important that you use the correct size of ear tips for your ears. We recommend trying on all of the ear tip sizes to find the right fit for your ears – you might even need to use different sizes for each ear.

Once you’ve got the most comfortable fit, here’s how to insert your Loop Earplugs in three simple steps:

  1. Hold the ring of the earplug between your thumb and index finger, then gently insert the ear tip into your ear.
  2. Once it seals the ear canal, give the earplug a small twist towards the back until it sits snugly at the base of your ear.
  3. Adjust until the ring feels comfortable and your earplugs can’t be seen from the front.

Got the ideal first for your earplugs? Great – now you might want to consider the rest of your gaming set-up to ensure you have the best experience. Pairing earplugs with other tools like noise-canceling headphones or gaming headsets can help you to create a seriously immersive experience.

Whatever your set-up, it’s important to keep your earplugs clean. Here are some tips for maintaining comfort and performance:

  • Keep them clean: Clean your earplugs after each use by gently wiping with a damp cloth, avoiding harsh chemicals.
  • Dry thoroughly: Make sure that your earplugs are completely dry before storing them, to prevent bacteria growth.
  • Store properly: Keep your Loop earplugs in their case to protect them from dirt and potential damage when they’re not in use.
  • Inspect regularly: Make sure to frequently check your earplugs for signs of wear and tear.
  • Avoid sharing: Sharing earplugs can transfer bacteria and increase the risk of infections, so make sure you don’t share them with others.

Level up with earplugs for gaming

Noise reduction earplugs for gamers can level up your playing experience. They help to block out distractions, reduce external noise and ensure you can stay focused on the game. Whether you’re in a noisy environment or just looking to tune out background noise – all while reducing damaging noise levels – earplugs like Loop Engage and Loop Engage Plus provide the perfect balance of comfort and concentration for better gameplay.