Israeli researchers print an ear implant ... monitored the growth of cartilage in the skeleton in the lab for 10 days to six weeks and then implanted the ear in a mouse model.

A human ear isn't all that the scientists have used the 3D printer to create, so far the team has created part of a jawbone, muscle, and cartilage structures in addition to the ear.

With a 3-D printer, a petri dish and some cells from a cow, US researchers are growing synthetic ears that can receive - and transmit - sound.

Snyder was inspired to print ear savers for his mom, a local nurse, and her coworkers after seeing photos on Instagram of the discomfort face mask straps were causing medical workers.