Antique Hearing Device Hearing Horn Conversation Tube
Directory: Archives: Instruments and Implements: Scientific: Pre 1900: Item # 292688
Please refer to our stock # M761 when inquiring.
Offered is an interesting antique hearing device from the late 1800s called a CONVERSATION TUBE.
According to Elisabeth Bennion, author of “Antique Hearing Devices” page 31, “The great advantage of the conversation tube as a type of hearing aid was that it obtained greater enhancement of sound by placing the bell close to the mouth of the speaker, thereby allowing for a normal conversational tone;.......It proved very effective as the sound, having been collected at source before being conducted to the ear, the speech sound level could therefore be increased considerably without danger of background noise.”
The ear trumpet conversation tube measures approximately 39.5 inches. The metal bell and gutta percha ear piece are in very nice condition. The spiral conical long aluminum tube is encased in silk or plaited wool that is intact though worn and still appealing . A great “conversation” piece!