In March, the World Health Organisation celebrates International Ear Care Day. Beginning in Beijing in 2007, the day aims to raise awareness and to promote ear and hearing care across the world, with each year focussing on a different theme; this year the theme was ‘Making Listening Safe’, which aims to draw attention to the rising problem of noise-induced hearing loss.
To celebrate this day, here at the London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) we have been delving into the archives of Sir Ronald Ross. Most notable for his work on the discovery of the malaria vector, you could be forgiven for believing that Ross’ work didn’t venture far from this subject, however Ross was a man of many talents: a mathematician; an epidemiologist; a sanitarian; a novelist; a dramatist; an amateur musician and perhaps most interestingly an inventor.
Sir Ronald Ross c. 1905
In the late 19th Century whilst working in India, Ross devised an implement which he would later call, ‘A device for excluding noise from the auditory nerves of the ear’, in other words, ear plugs. Made originally for a patient, Ross took to wearing his own invention for many decades before making the bold move to patent and to sell his device. Initially, Ross hoped to resolve complaints of:
‘…noise that goes on in large cities; in railway trains…often prevents the enjoyment of refreshing sleep; or…precludes a person concentrating his thoughts on work in hand, or is a source of trouble to sick persons.’ (GB 0809 Ross/159/01/08)
However, Ross’ papers illustrate that his ear plugs were unable to meet his goals.
So why were his ear plugs unsuccessful? His correspondences with Charles Baker, the man tasked with building prototypes of his device, indicate that the design were neither practical or popular, as seen when Baker, referring to the ear plugs as clips, complains, ‘one or two customers have tried and returned them. I think some better method would have to be devised before the clips would be well received’ (Ross/159/01/35). Instead of heeding Baker’s advice, Ross overlooked the notion that any design fault existed, and argued that, ‘It is quite comfortable’ (Ross/159/01/36) and for it to be a success he would, ‘call the attention of professionals to it’ (Ross/159/01/36). When looking at the ear clips you understand the reluctance of Baker and the public to embrace them. The ear plugs are attached to a thick aluminium strap intended to sit under the chin, something which does not connote peace or tranquillity.
Competition also severely affected the success of Ross’ device. In Germany the ‘Antiphone’ was proving quite popular. A letter from Ross’ archive show that the plugs, that were made out of wool and wax and were not attached to a clip, sold better than ear plugs on a clip. Interestingly, Ross later admits to another disadvantage his ear clips had in comparison to the ‘Antiphone’: in a letter to the Yorkshire Observer, Ross concedes that his device ‘Does not block out all sound, only dulls it’ (Ross/159/01/44), making Ross’ device not only poorly designed, but also less effective compared to its competition.
Even supporters of the ear clips struggled to understand how the device worked, secretary to WE Wade wrote, ‘I cannot make it close my ears, or keep on my head at all’ (Ross/159/01/58) and sought advice from Ross’ own secretary on how to use the apparatus correctly, signifying the final nail in the ear clip’s coffin.
Ross’s ear plugs, with chin-strap
Perhaps it could be viewed that Ross’ invention failed as it was neither commercially successful nor effective, yet Ross showed insight into an area of ear care that was overlooked at this time. In 1914, several months after the outbreak of the First World War, Ross wrote to the British Red Cross Society promoting its use within the army, Ross writes, ‘it might be possibly be saleable in large numbers for soldiers on active service, as it shuts out the noise and shock of exploding shells’ (Ross/159/01/39). The response was lacklustre; nevertheless Ross was undeterred and wrote to Lieutenant John Aikman, Governor of Guernsey in 1916, who expressed interest in the ‘protection of our soldiers (sic) ears from injury of shell noise’ (Ross/159/01/48). Although Ross’ invention was not used by the British army during the First World War and was not compulsory army kit for many years, it showed Ross understood and appreciated the importance of ear protection of those in the army. We should look at Ross’ ear plugs, not as a failure, but rather as a symbol for the changing attitudes towards soldiers’ health and in particular, their ear care.
