Ear trumpet made from an animal horn

Made:
before 1935 in England
Horn shaped ear trumpet Horn shaped ear trumpet

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Horn shaped ear trumpet
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Horn shaped ear trumpet
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Ear trumpet made from an animal horn, with carved earpiece, probably British, c1700-1900.

Hearing aids of varying designs have been used since the 1500s to help people who are hard of hearing. This polished piece of hollow horn was an ingenious hearing trumpet. The tip is inserted into the ear canal. The natural shape of the horn acts as a trumpet. It ‘catches’ and amplifies sound to the ear drum. The effectiveness of the horn as a hearing aid is unknown. However, it was a novel and economical response to a common problem.

Details

Category:
Audiology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A138052
Materials:
horn
Measurements:
overall: 139 mm x 98 mm x 50 mm, .076 kg
type:
ear trumpet
credit:
Glendining