The Wangaratta Audiology Antique Hearing Aid Collection

A small selection from our antique hearing aid collection spanning 100 years from the mid-1800’s to the mid-1900’s:

• ear trumpets
• conversation tubes
• early electric desk-bound hearing aids
• “portable” electric hearing aids
• valve powered hearing aids
• miniaturised valve hearing aids
• early transistor powered hearing aids
• later transistor powered hearing aids
• semi-modern analogue hearing aids
• antique and vintage otoscopes
• mechanical audiometers
• many hundreds of items on show in the Clinic
• visit to see the full range

Silverstone

Ear dome pair

A pair of large and small “London Dome” passive type ear trumpet – made from the 1880’s until relatively recent times. Sizes are small = 50mm x 40mm large = 90mmx50mm while even larger models were produced.

Weiss

Sonotone 600

Banjo type ear dome

Made from 1890’s onwards. Materials such as brass, silver, wood and copper were used.

Brunton

Brunton otoscope transportation case

Concerto

National otoscope

National otoscope made for medical inspection of the ear canal and associated parts. c-1915 – c1940. Used in the armed forces and others.

Weiss

Bosch

Conversation tube

Used to amplify sounds from 1890’s – 1930’s. (later in some countries) Silk thread around the rubber tapered tube. Came in a variety of lengths.

Micronic

Bell Croydon

Zenith

Headband trumpet

National Acoustics Laboratory

“Body style Hearing Aid” supplied to Australian pensioners

Sonotone audicle

Acousticon

Conny

Brunton

Brunton otoscope or auroscope was used for observation and surgery of middle ears and ear drum. Made from c.1860s – c.1930’s

Globe ear

Ear dome

“London Dome” type ear trumpet made from the 1880’s until relatively recent times.

Rayovac

Ear trumpet

Commonwealth of Australia

Body Aids supplied to pensioners and returned servicemen and women