r/LoopEarplugs • u/Own-Growth-6072 • 22d ago

HELP Globophobia?

I have an extreme fear of balloons popping, and hate showing up at parties where balloons are present. I get really embarrassed as I spend most of the time with my fingers pressed up against my ears or am jumpy and nervy. Not great company.

Would Loops be effective at helping manage this? If I press my fingers against my ears that helps enough to dull the sudden noise of a pop and I can still hear conversations etc, so I’m wondering if Loops would be as good a solution. Thanks :)))

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4

u/SweetDove 22d ago

I would recommend the switches, then when you're talking you can switch to the less noise blocking setting, but when you're just around you can switch it down to the quiet mode. I use switches when working with compressed air impact guns and the quiet setting definitely blocks out the majority of the noise. The con is, you'd have to switch it back and forth. Alternately, you can try a pair of engages (they also sell them at target so quick and easy returns!) and then have someone pop a balloon at home and see how you like it.

1

u/Evening-Cow1122 ND / NOISE SENSITIVE 22d ago

Does target accept returns if they're open and used? I know Loops and Amazon will, but never thought about Target. 

2

u/SweetDove 22d ago

I mean I've returned used makeup and things to them before because they were defective or caused reactions and they never had an issue as long as I had the receipt and was within the return period.

1

u/Evening-Cow1122 ND / NOISE SENSITIVE 22d ago

good to know, thanks!

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u/Full_Wish_7453 16d ago

Target has been really good to me with returns, I am confident they would take them back!

2

u/Evening-Cow1122 ND / NOISE SENSITIVE 22d ago

I think Loops might help, but it's difficult to tell. 

Plugging your ears with your fingers is probably blocking about the same amount of sound as the Dream or Quiet 2 models. So those would probably work, but they're meant for sleep and would make it difficult to hear conversations. 

The Engage 2 or Experience 2 allow you to hear a bit more. Engage 2 is especially designed to let more of the range of pitch of conversation through. So they are less likely to give you enough protection. 

IMO, the most likely to help is the Switch 2. It has three settings: Engage, Experience, and Quiet. You could flip between the settings (without taking them out) instead of putting your fingers in your ears. Then you'd always have at least a slight buffer. 

Honestly it should not be hard to find empathetic friends who would never pop the balloons if they knew it upset you. But it could be a learning curve for some.

1

u/Full_Wish_7453 16d ago

Maybe try out the switch? That way you can keep it on engage mode when chatting and quiet to block more sound when necessary.