Ear trumpet
- maker:
- FC Rein and Son, FC Rein &
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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Silver-plated ear trumpet hearing aid, with ivory earpiece and ornate decoration, made by F. C. Rein & Son, London, England, 1850-1900
The ivory ear tip sat inside the ear canal. The ear trumpet amplified sounds down the tube. The ear trumpet is a type of parabolic reflector. This device projects energy onto a focal point, in this case the ear drum, through refraction and reflection. This enables the ear trumpet to be an effective hearing aid while remaining relatively small. This silver-plated example was made by F. C. Rein and Son in London. The firm was founded in 1800. It was the first company known to manufacture hearing aids commercially.
Details
- Category:
- Audiology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A602546
- Materials:
- metal, silver plated and earpiece, ivory, turned
- Measurements:
-
overall: 223 mm 146 mm, .287 kg
- type:
- ear trumpet
- credit:
- Phillips, Son and Neale
