Hearing protection might seem like a modern convenience, but throughout history, people have found creative—sometimes downright bizarre—ways to shield their ears from unwanted noise. Before we had the luxury of silicone earplugs or high-tech noise-canceling earmuffs, humans relied on everything from wax to wool to avoid the racket of the world.
Here’s a journey through some of the strangest and most fascinating ear protection methods ever used.
1. The Ancient Egyptian Wax Solution (c. 1500 BCE)
The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in many things—medicine, architecture, and even ear protection. Archaeological evidence suggests they used beeswax to create makeshift earplugs. Soft and moldable, wax provided a decent barrier against dust, bugs, and unwanted noise in the bustling streets of Thebes or Memphis.
However, there’s no proof they were using them for sleep—so whether the Pharaoh’s snoring kept the servants up at night remains a mystery.
2. The Roman Gladiator’s Cotton Trick (c. 100 CE)
Ancient Rome wasn’t exactly a quiet place. Between gladiatorial fights, bustling markets, and roaring public baths, noise pollution was a real issue. Roman physicians recommended stuffing cotton or wool into the ears to dampen excessive sound, particularly for those suffering from ear pain or sensitivity.
That said, Roman crowds were known for being LOUD—so it’s doubtful a bit of wool was enough to silence 50,000 screaming fans in the Colosseum.
3. The Viking Helmets That (Maybe) Blocked Sound (c. 800-1100 CE)
We often picture Vikings wearing horned helmets (which, spoiler alert, they didn’t actually wear in battle). But some evidence suggests that their real helmets—made of thick iron or leather—could have muffled loud noises, particularly the sounds of clashing swords and war cries.
Did Vikings intentionally use their helmets for ear protection? Probably not. But given how loud medieval battles were, we wouldn’t blame them if they did.
4. Medieval Sleeping Caps with Built-in Noise Protection (c. 1300-1600 CE)
In the medieval era, city life could be deafening, with blacksmiths hammering away, carts rattling on cobblestone, and town criers yelling out the news. Some wealthier individuals reportedly wore thick sleeping caps with built-in padding to help block noise at night.
These caps, stuffed with soft cloth or even animal fur, served as an early form of noise-canceling headwear—though we imagine they got pretty sweaty in the summer.
5. The 18th Century Powdered Wig Effect (c. 1700s CE)
The aristocrats of the 18th century weren’t exactly trying to block noise, but their massive powdered wigs may have done the job. These wigs, often stuffed with horsehair and other materials, could have unintentionally muffled background noise.
Would a towering Marie Antoinette-style wig help block out the sound of a noisy dinner party? Possibly. But the discomfort of wearing one for hours probably wasn’t worth it.
6. The 19th Century Industrial Worker’s “Cotton Clumps” (c. 1800s CE)
During the Industrial Revolution, workers in textile mills and metal factories faced some of the loudest environments in history. With no regulations on hearing protection, workers often resorted to stuffing cotton or fabric scraps into their ears to dampen the deafening roar of machines.
Unfortunately, this DIY approach wasn’t very effective—many industrial workers suffered permanent hearing damage. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that companies began experimenting with more structured forms of ear protection.
7. The “Flapper Muffs” of the Roaring Twenties (1920s CE)
In the 1920s, ear protection got a fashionable twist. Women’s earmuffs—often made of fur, velvet, or silk—became a popular winter accessory. Though designed for warmth, they also worked surprisingly well for blocking noise, making them an accidental form of hearing protection.
Flapper girls may not have been thinking about decibel levels, but when you’re dancing next to a blaring jazz band, some muffled sound probably wasn’t a bad thing.
8. The Cold War “Spy Ear” Experiments (1950s-1960s CE)
During the Cold War, governments experimented with different forms of ear protection for soldiers and spies. One of the strangest? An experimental helmet designed to block out specific sound frequencies while allowing others through—potentially helping spies focus on whispered conversations while blocking out background noise.
Though promising, these early “selective hearing” devices weren’t reliable and often distorted sound. But they laid the groundwork for today’s advanced noise-canceling tech.
9. The ‘Headphone Boom’ and the Rise of DIY Earplugs (1970s-1990s CE)
By the 1970s, headphones had become a staple for music lovers, but not everyone wanted to listen to blaring rock concerts. Some people used headphones simply as a way to block out external noise—an early version of noise isolation.
Meanwhile, DIY earplugs took off in the ‘80s and ‘90s, with people making their own ear protection out of everything from tissue paper to rubber bands. Thankfully, commercial foam and silicone earplugs soon became widely available, making these questionable hacks unnecessary.
The Future of Ear Protection: What’s Next?
We’ve come a long way from stuffing cotton in our ears. Today, we have advanced earplugs designed for sleeping, concerts, and even swimming, along with high-tech noise-canceling headphones that can make the loudest city streets feel like a library.
But what’s next? Will we have technology-powered earplugs that block out only the sounds we don’t want to hear? Will fashion-forward hearing protection make earplugs a style statement?
One thing’s for sure—humans have always found weird and wonderful ways to protect their ears, and that’s not about to change.
Protect Your Ears—Without the Weirdness!
Luckily, you don’t need to rely on powdered wigs or Viking helmets to protect your hearing anymore. Whether you need earplugs for sleeping, concerts, work, or travel, Earjobs has you covered. Check out our range of modern ear protection today!