Ear saver
{{short description|Device used to protect the wearer's face from hazards}}
An ear saver, also known as mask strain release strap or mask extender,{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Amber |title=Year 7 student's 3D-printed coronavirus face mask extenders raise funds for bushfire victims |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-22/3d-printed-face-mask-extenders-to-help-bushfire-victims/12479820 |access-date=17 June 2021 |work=ABC News |date=22 July 2020}} is an accessory to personal protective equipment (PPE), relieves strain on a mask wearer's ears created through the loops of masks. Ear savers were designed as novel items during the COVID-19 pandemic by the open-source hardware community in response to requests from medical professionals reporting heavy strain on their ears.{{Cite web|date=February 22, 2021|title=DESIGN {{!}} MAKE {{!}} PROTECT|url=https://opensourcemedicalsupplies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Design-Make-Protect_21.01.27.pdf|website=Open Source Medical Supplies}} Ear savers have since been commercialized for a broader population of users as the pandemic wore on.{{Cite web|last=Lord|first=Emma|title=17 Problem-Solving Products To Make Wearing A Face Mask With Glasses Easier|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/emmalord9/problem-solving-products-to-make-wearing-a-face-mask-with|access-date=2021-02-22|website=BuzzFeed|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Bennett|first=Alexis|date=2020-08-12|title=If You Aren't Wearing One of These Ear Savers With Your Mask, Your Ears Are Missing Out|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g33577089/best-ear-savers-for-face-masks/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Cosmopolitan|language=en-US}}
Manufacturing
Four methods are used to manufacture ear savers: 3D printing, laser cutting, injection molding, and sewing (a modified version with crocheted buttons on a headband).{{Cite web|title=PROJECT LIBRARY|url=https://opensourcemedicalsupplies.org/library/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Open Source Medical Supplies|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|title=It's not just a fashion statement... it's an ear saver for those who wear masks often {{!}} CBC News|language=en-US|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/masks-ears-1.5919212|access-date=2021-02-22}} During the COVID-19 pandemic, the maker movement alone produced more than 2.2 million ear savers.{{Cite web|title=COVID-19 Maker Response|url=https://www.nationofmakers.us/covid-19-maker-response|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Nation of Makers|language=en-US}}