If you know someone with autism, you probably already know how big a role sound plays in their world.

For many autistic people, certain noises aren’t just annoying—they’re physically painful, anxiety-inducing, or completely overwhelming.

And the tough part? The world is loud. Whether it’s fireworks in Kawartha Lakes, the hum of a busy classroom, or the screech of a chair being dragged across the floor, sound is everywhere.

So what do you do when your child is struggling with sound but hates wearing the very things that are supposed to help?

🎧 When Noise-Cancelling Headphones Just Don’t Work

For a lot of families, noise-cancelling headphones are the go-to solution. And they do work for many people. But for others—like our son Beckett—they’re a no-go. They:

Hurt his ears after a while
Feel too heavy or tight
Draw unwanted attention
Just don’t feel good on his head

He loves quiet—but not at the cost of discomfort or standing out. And honestly, we get that.

👂 Enter: Loop Earplugs

We stumbled across Loop Earplugs recently, and while no product is a perfect fit for everyone, these felt like a win in our house.

Loops are small, stylish earplugs that come in different levels of noise reduction. They’re not bulky, they don’t squeeze your head, and they look kind of… cool? Which, for a kid or teen who already feels different, can matter more than people realize.

They have a section on their site about autism and sound sensitivity, and we appreciated the language they use—acknowledging sensory needs without sounding clinical or patronizing. Here’s their autism page if you want to check it out:
👉 Loop's Gifts for Autism page

🌈 What We Like About Them

Here’s why we’ve started recommending Loops to other families in our community:

Discreet: They’re small enough to blend in, which helps with social comfort
Comfortable: Softer materials and a gentler fit than big headphones
Sensory-friendly packaging: No loud crinkly plastic or overly flashy branding
Different options: You can choose the level of sound reduction that works best for your person (like tuning down, not tuning out)

🚨 What They Don’t Do

Let’s be honest—they’re not for everyone. Some kids still won’t like something in their ear. They don’t completely block out sudden sharp noises. And they’re small enough to get lost in a backpack, coat pocket, or couch cushion.

But for kids, teens, or adults who want a low-profile, stylish option for sound support, they’re definitely worth considering.

💬 Real Talk: Sound Sensitivity Isn’t a Quirk—It’s Real

Sometimes people treat noise sensitivity like a minor inconvenience. But for many autistic folks, it’s a daily struggle that affects everything from school performance to social participation to basic comfort.

We’re not here to sell products—but we are here to share what’s helped people in our community. And for Beckett, and others we know, Loop Earplugs have become part of the toolkit.

🧠 If You’re Navigating Sound Challenges, You’re Not Alone

Maybe your child hides under the bed during fireworks. Maybe they melt down in grocery stores because of the hum of fluorescent lights. Maybe they’re tired of being told they’re “too sensitive.”

That’s not failure. That’s the nervous system doing its best. And tools like Loop Earplugs—alongside compassion, flexibility, and a willingness to adjust—can make a real difference.

If you try Loops and they work for your person, that’s amazing. If not, that’s okay too. The goal isn’t to find one magical fix. It’s to build a life that works for your unique sensory profile.

And that’s something we can all get behind.

❤️ Help Us Help Others

If you decide to purchase Loops and want to support someone else in the process, you can use our link:
👉 http://rwrd.io/2xl4mvr?c

Each time someone uses that link, ARK earns 150 reward points. If we can collect enough points for a free pair, we’ll donate it to someone in our community who could really use it but might not have the means to get it on their own.

It’s a small gesture—but small gestures add up. Thanks for being part of this with us.

Let’s Talk About Noise: Managing Sound Sensitivity with Autism (and Why We Like Loop Earplugs)