Brass Trumpet Hearing Aid, England, c.1880

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Brass Trumpet Hearing Aid, England, c.1880

Brass Trumpet Hearing Aid. England, c. 1880

Brass Trumpet Hearing Aid. Type: London Dome (Swan shape). English, c. 1880

The U-shaped design of the earpiece not only resembled a “swan’s neck,” but also allowed it to collect sound focused by a spherical bell and transmit it to the ear in a compact form. England, ca. 1880.

Characteristics of the object

Museum EuroMedSim Museum of Medicine

Type

Instrument

Country

England

City

London

Year

1880

Period

19 C. 2 half

Specialty

ENT, Otorhinolaryngology

Material

Brass

Size10.8x5.2x5.2 cm (LxWxD)

Weight94 g

Art.Nr.EMSM-125-0716-9

Brass Trumpet Hearing Aid, England, c.1880

Object description

Hearing tube with a parabolic bell, brass, England, ca. 1880 The bell-shaped horn (of the “London Dome” type) features a curved earpiece that originates from the bottom of the bell and exits from the side, curving back upward in a U-shape (“swan-shaped”). This allowed the sound, focused by the parabolic bell, to be concentrated in a compact volume and transmitted to the ear. The earpiece is spherical, also made of brass. The total height of the earpiece is approximately 11 cm. The opening at the wide end of the earpiece is adorned with a decorative grille featuring a floral pattern. No manufacturer’s markings. Items of this design were produced by a number of English manufacturers, such as F. C. Rein & Son, Maw & Son. Overall good condition. England, ca. 1880.

Provenance

Acquired in the English Salesroom in 2025. Offered at the auction under the description: "A brass 'London Dome' Parabolic Bell Ear Trumpet Hearing Aids, - English, c.1880, of circular form, with decorative pierced grille, 11cm tall."