{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1812808"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1812808/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2026PL9493/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2026PL9493/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2026PL9493","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2026PL9492","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2026PM1504","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1812808","accessionNumber":"CD.3-2026","objectType":"Earplugs","titles":[{"title":"Loop Switch 2","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"Loop was founded in 2016 by two long-term friends: Martin Boodewes and Dimitri O. Their shared love of nightlife and raving had caused them both to experience tinnitus. When searching for an ear protection solution, they found no options that filtered noise while maintaining the sound quality of the music and were also comfortable and stylish. Thus, their background as ravers led them to founding Loop to make their own solution. \n\r\nThe Loop Switch 2 are a pair of reusable earplugs that allow you to switch between three different modes with varying levels of noise filtering: Engage for conversations in busy spaces, Experience for live events, and Quiet with the highest level of sound blocking. Engage aims to reduce background noise and uses the acoustic mesh to bring focus to human voices with a slight reduction in volume and overall noise reduction of 20 decibels. Experience focuses on filtering out the extreme bass notes and high-pitched sounds, while maintaining ‘crisp sound quality’ and adding a noise reduction of 23 decibels. Quiet advertises itself for ‘calmer commutes’ and ‘more peaceful downtime’ offered by its 26 decibels of noise reduction. The Switch range are the only pair of Loop earplugs that have a dedicated right and left earplug. They feature a small notch on the ‘loop’ to allow users to slide the dial between different modes. \r\n\r\nLoop Switch 2 come in a range of colours with the aim of becoming a fashion accessory. The founders hope that earplugs will come to be viewed as an addition to an outfit like a pair of sunglasses. The loop is not only the signature symbol of the brand and where they derive their name from but also helps the correctly put in the earplugs. Offered in 2026 were four main colours of Emerald, Black, Gold and Silver, as well as an Iridescent Lavender and collaborations with McLaren in the signature Papaya of the racing team and Tomorrowland, an annual electronic dance music festival in Antwerp, in Holographic Black. The soft silicone tip with the four size options makes the earplugs both easy to clean and comfortable for extended wear. This set comes with a case to carry the earplugs on your keychain.\r\n\r\nLoop earplugs have additionally found a following in the neurodivergent community. Neurodivergent people often have increased auditory sensitivity, which can lead to sensory overload in loud environments. Loop earplugs’ noise filtering offers a layer of protection, allowing neurodivergent people to engage in social events without feeling the need to seek out quiet spaces. In addition, following COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns, more people reported anxiety in noisy environments, leading to an uptake of Loop earplugs beyond the origin of live events.  \r\n\r\nSince 2016, Loop has expanded its range of earplugs to include Loop Dream for sleep, Loop Quiet for focus, Loop Engage for socialising, Loop Engage Kids for children, and Loop Switch for changeable levels of noise filtering, in addition to a second-generation version of the Loop Experience. They have also expanded their colourways, allowing consumers more choice to match their outfits or jewellery colours. The style of earplugs has found a place among young people, helping to reduce the risk of hearing damage, which the World Health Organization estimates over 1 billion are at risk of due to extended exposure at live events. 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