Miniature ear trumpet

Made:
1805-1900 in London
maker:
F.C. Rein & Son
Pair of miniature ear trumpets to be hidden under hair.
      Detail image of hearing aids, graduated black perspex Pair of miniature ear trumpets to be hidden under hair.
      Hearing aids inside box.

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Pair 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