Did you know that Ray and Cecilia Benner invented the first moldable pure silicone ear plugs in 1962 and swimmers everywhere have been thanking them every since? These ear plugs were valued by swimmers, as well as those avoiding noise, for their waterproof qualities that helped prevent swimmer's ear. Did you know that ear plugs are all rated with an NRR or Noise Reduction Rating? An NRR tells you how much noise reduction in decibels a set of ear plugs provides.

• History of Ear Plugs
• Gallery of Famous Ear Plugs

Earplugs in the News
RNID, the charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, is planning to manufacture and sell earplugs invented by a De Montfort University student to protect the hearing of young people at nightclubs. Chi Shing Lo, a second year BA(Hons) Product Design student, won the RNID competition for his credit card-style device called Earcard.

• Tiny device that heralds the end of unsightly hearing aids

Photo Credit: Earplugs circa 1948 Getty Images/Photographer Bernard Hoffman