The Story of Saccater: From Noise Sensitivity to Innovative Earplugs
Noise Sensitivity: A Blessing and a Curse
Charlie Mok is highly sensitive to noise. Even the faintest sounds are clearly audible to him. While this acute sense of hearing is a boon when it comes to appreciating music, it also means that Charlie is easily disturbed by various noises, often leading to significant mental stress.
City Life and Its Challenges
A few years ago, Charlie and his family moved to a home in the heart of the city to make it more convenient for his son, Armour, to attend school. The bustling city center was noisy, with a bar and a massive shopping mall right across the street. The daytime crowds and the loud music at night generated a tremendous amount of noise. Despite the house having good soundproofing, it was still not enough for someone as sensitive to noise as Charlie, affecting his sleep. Armour also struggled with the constant noise while trying to do his homework; the clamor from outside the study window made it very difficult to concentrate.
Searching for a Solution
In an effort to mitigate the impact of the noise, Charlie tried numerous earplug products. However, most of them had some shortcomings. Many products lacked proper safety testing, leaving their noise reduction capabilities uncertain, and the safety of their materials in question. Some earplugs were uncomfortable to wear, with designs that either did not fit the outer ear structure or were unsuitable for use during sleep. Additionally, many earplugs did not consider usage in multiple environments and came without a carrying case—an essential feature since earplugs are small and easily lost.
A Determined Vision
Determined to create a multi-functional, safe, and portable earplug that met regulatory standards, Charlie decided to design and manufacture one himself. His brother Bourne ran a mold design and manufacturing factory, so Charlie sought his help in designing the new earplugs. With nearly twenty years of experience in mold design and manufacturing, Bourne was well-equipped for the task. Together, they meticulously studied the structure of the outer ear and ear canal, aided by an ENT specialist friend who analyzed 3D data from hundreds of real human ears.
Inspired by Nature
Charlie drew inspiration from the bellflower and other plants with saccate structures, redesigning the ear tips’ shape. They determined four sizes, from XS to L, to ensure the product would fit most people—large ears, small ears, and everything in between. Bourne used the saccate structure to create a new 3D shape for the ear plug handle, an oval ring design that fits perfectly in the concha, the area where the outer ear meets the ear canal. The plug shape fits snugly without touching the surrounding parts of the concha, allowing the ear tips to go deeper into the outer ear canal, achieving a more secure and effective noise reduction.
Birth of a Brand: Saccater
Inspired by the botanical term "saccate," Charlie followed Bourne's suggestion to name the brand Saccater, pronounced /sæˈkeɪtə/. Unsurprisingly, the first users of Saccater earplugs were Charlie himself and his son Armour. They now enjoy peaceful sleep, focused and efficient study and work sessions, and comfortable weekend leisure time.
The Iterative Testing Process
From the initial 3D-printed prototypes to the improved materials that were more skin-friendly and comfortable, Charlie and his son Armour were the primary testers. Charlie also invited many relatives and friends to use the small-batch production test products—without any pressure, of course (laughs). From the initial samples to the 100% completed product, there were dozens of revisions and changes. Now, the first batch of "users" enjoys quiet sleep, focused and efficient study and work sessions, and some have become so accustomed to using Saccater earplugs while traveling by train or plane that they can’t do without them. This includes Charlie's favorite long afternoon naps on weekends—without noise, providing complete rest and recovery.
The Launch of Saccater Focus Noise-Reducing Earplugs
Today, Saccater's first product series, the Saccater Focus Noise-Reducing Earplugs, is available in 5 bold colors: White, Black, Red & Transparent Black, Cyan & White, and Peach. These earplugs have passed the EU Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the US ASA STD ANSI S3.19 standards, providing safe and compliant SNR 23 dB and NRR 17 dB noise reduction ratings for effective hearing protection. Saccater Focus Noise-Reducing Earplugs are available on the official website www.saccater.com and the Amazon brand store www.amazon.com/saccater, offering free shipping, a 90-day return policy, and a two-year warranty.
