Danielle SullivanI’m autistic, and I have sensory processing disorder, which means I don’t process touch, sound, or lights the same ways as most people. I’m easily overstimulated by loud noises and need hearing protection to help reduce outside input to my senses. Sound sensitivity is one of the biggest autism issues I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Here are my top contenders for the best earplugs for autism (or other neurodivergent folks). (These are Amazon affiliate links and I may be paid a small commission if you click through and purchase something.)
My Favorite Ear Plugs for Neurodivergent People
My Choice for Daily Wear: Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs
Okay, I know everyone is into Vibes earplugs, and it looks like a huge marketing scheme, but Vibes really are the ear plugs I wear on most day-to-day occasions around the house, and I am not being paid by anyone to say that.
The Hi Fidelity earplugs filter out most loud sound: my kids’ more annoying electronic toys, the loud noise their indoor hammock swing makes, and most outside noise from cars driving by or people doing yard work. They reduce a loud environment. But, I can still hear the oven timer when it goes off, a child asking for help, or that someone left the upstairs bathroom faucet on … again.
I’ve owned my Vibes Hi Fidelity Earplugs for years and wear them three times a week, easy.
They fit well in my ears, stay in without budging, and are easy to clean. And I do like that they’re clear, because I can take them to everyday activities, to the grocery store or the mall (pre-pandemic), and not feel self-conscious about wearing ear plugs. I’ve had zero issues with them. I really love them, and recommend them thoroughly. They really are the best earplugs for autism!
Buy Vibes on Amazon.
My Choice for Sleep: Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, 50 Pair
Luckily, I sleep pretty well now, and don’t need ear plugs to block sound too often.
But when my children were babies, I had postpartum anxiety, and I would wake up at every. little. sniffle.
I became a zombie nightmare… …until I started wearing Mack’s soft ear plugs every night to bed.
These foam earplugs are supremely comfy, easy to fit in the ear, don’t fall out, and don’t poke me. They help me block out anything less than a full-on crying child, and let me tell you, they saved my sanity.
Also, they are super affordable, and it’s nice to always have extra pairs around to offer to friends when they’re visiting. (And you don’t have to worry as much about losing them while you’re traveling, either!)
Buy Mack’s Earplugs on Amazon
My Choice for (Almost) Total Silence: Decibel Defense Ear Muffs
I love my Vibes, but sometimes, I need some heavy-duty noise blocking muffs. That’s where these Decibel Defense Ear Muffs come in.
These block almost all noise so well that I don’t wear them in the house except during sensory emergencies (If you’re neurodivergent, you know)!
They’re perfect for when I need to work and the kids have the TV on, when the Roomba’s running and making me grind my teeth, or on the rare occasions I’m outside to mow the lawn.
They’re comfortable and adjustable – even my kids borrow them sometimes. And they’re really, really great at blocking out noise!
Buy Decibel Defense Safety Ear Muffs on Amazon
Runners-Up: Loops Earplugs
After being asked by a ton of readers about what I think about Loops, I bought several pairs to test out earlier this year. I’ve noticed that Loops seems to be specifically targeted to autistic and neurodivergent people with sound sensitivity, since I see a ton of ads for them.
There are a lot of good things about them! They’re more stylish than traditional earplugs, they are easy-clean since they’re made of silicone, and they come in a ton of colors.
They also come in several different varieties for lower or higher noise reduction. I personally found the number of options kind of confusing and overwhelming, so I ended up buying one pair of each to test, and I don’t notice too much of a difference between them, personally. (I’m at home with kids, but not experiencing very loud situations on a daily basis, and so my experiences are certainly limited).
I get why people like these, and I think they’re a good product. But I just don’t find them as comfortable for daily wear as my Vibes, and I visually dislike the eponymous “loop.” But I have several friends who swear by them; to each their own!
I’m going to order them since menopause I’m struggling with noise sensitivity it’s making me panic I hope they work I’m desperate
Good luck, Polly!
Do the Decible Defense earmuffs hurt the top of ur head? I have tried two other brands of noise reduction headphones and I couldn’t wear them for more than a few minutes before the top of my head started hurting
I have 3M behind the neck defenders. The main spring/support doesn’t touch my neck unless I look up. There’s an over the head adjustable strap that I leave loose, I think it’s there to provide stability if one were very active when wearing them.
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Maddilyn. I know other readers will appreciate it!
Def gonna check these out!
How does the Loop earplugs (either quiet or performance) compare to the vibes?
Are the vibes ones good for year 12 (age 16-17) classrooms (sometimes crazy) and other things like that and trains?
Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences, as I haven’t been in either of these places recently. They are good for theaters (for movies and dance) and a house with several autistic children stimming, swinging, and playing music all at once, which may rival even a high school classroom.
Thank you for this,
I had been struggling with what to get to manage my own sound sensitivity. and for daily management this seems like a perfect choice. On the sensory emergencies side of things, have you ever used earbuds with the Decibel Defense earmuffs? My current workaround for ear assault situations at work is to put in earbuds and sound reduction earmuffs over them. Then I play music, and have a Bluetooth button accessible so people can reduce my volume to let me know they need to talk with me. But since I’m using the wired buds I can only do it for so long before it becomes uncomfortable and I’m looking for a more comfortable solution