Over the ear imitation tortoiseshell hearing aid, by Hawksley and Sons Ltd, 351 Oxford Street, London, 1900-1940

Made from imitation tortoiseshell, this simple device would have fitted over the ear and been hidden under the hair. With the end inserted into the ear it acted like a mini ear trumpet, amplifying sounds to help people who were partially deaf to hear more clearly. (The effect would be similar to cupping your hand over your ear.)

The device was made by Hawksley, a medical instrument maker based in London.