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Blaise Delfino, a master’s degree candidate from Bethlehem, Pa., will be the graduate student speaker for East Stroudsburg University’s spring graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 5, at 6:45 p.m. in Koehler Fieldhouse.

Delfino earned a Bachelor of Science in speech-language pathology from ESU in 2014. After graduating he worked for his family’s audiological practice, enhancing his knowledge and skills. In 2015 he returned to ESU for graduate school pursuing a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Around this same time he came up with an idea to create an earplug that he described as “the world’s first adjustable earplug that allows users to control how much sound enters the ear and allows them to select the amount of attenuation they want for a memorable hearing experience at a concert, sporting event, or while working on a job site.” He called his invention “Fader Plugs.”

Delfino prepared his product and wrote a business plan for it. In April 2016 he won the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Business Plan Competition, which included a $10,000 prize toward development of his creation.  His company is the first of its kind to release and hold a patent for adjustable earplugs.

While creating and developing his own business, Delfino never lost sight of his other passions. He continues to work with his family’s audiology practice, he writes and records music and has completed his master’s degree with a 3.74 grade point average. He will be awarded the Master of Science in communication sciences and disorders at the graduate commencement ceremony on May 5.