Ear trumpet

Made:
1850-1900 in London
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