Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Shepard, resident audiologist and researcher at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, describes a simple process for the Navy to print custom ear plugs for its sailors using a digital ear scanner and 3D printer to Navy Surgeon General Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Noise induced hearing damage is the Department of Defense’s most reported injury. Shepard’s research validated the Navy could eventually fit any sailor for custom hearing protection the day they fit for their first uniform. (U.S. Navy photo by Todd Frantom)