Hearing aid, model R3
Hearing aid, including earpiece and receiver connected by cable, model R3, by Viennatone, Austria, 1960-1970
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Electrical hearing aids which provided amplification of sounds were first introduced in the early 1900s. However, the valve technology used in early hearing aids meant that two batteries were required. These were often very bulky and manufacturers devised various ways to hide them on the body. The invention of transistors in 1948 meant that much smaller hearing aids, like this one, powered by one smaller, lower voltage battery could be developed. In the 1950s, hearing aids were the first commercial products to use transistors, which were still very expensive, as there was a high demand for hearing aids to be smaller and require less power. Now, transistors are a key component of the circuits and microchips that are fundamental to modern computers and electronics.
- Measurements:
-
ear piece: 25 mm x 31 mm x 27 mm, .048 kg
reciever: 61 mm x 51 mm x 25 mm, .048 kg
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 1988-762/1
- type:
- hearing aid
