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LicensePair of miniature ear trumpets to be hidden under hair.
Detail image of hearing aids, graduated black perspex
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Pair of miniature ear trumpets to be hidden under hair.
Hearing aids inside box.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Right miniature ear trumpet, brass (gilt) with ivory earpiece by F. C. Rein and Son, London, designed to be hidden under hair, 19th century.
A ‘bugle’ ear trumpet is named because of its similarity to the musical instrument. This hearing aid is probably a variation of one. ‘Bugle’ ear trumpets were invented by ear, nose and throat specialist Jean Pierre Bonnafont (1805–1891). Bonnafont thought ear trumpets available at the time were cumbersome and inconvenient. This pair of miniature ear trumpets was worn hidden under the hair. They were made by F. C. Rein and Son in London. The company was founded in 1800. It was the first firm known to manufacture hearing aids commercially.
Details
- Category:
- Audiology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A139040/1
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy) and ivory
- Measurements:
-
Left trumpet: 69 mm x 37 mm x 54 mm, .02 kg
Right trumpet: 69 mm x 37 mm x 54 mm, .02 kg
- type:
- ear trumpet
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
