At first glance object 2014.002.154
resembles some sort of pipe, but upon further inspection you realize that it
just can’t be a pipe. So what is the oddly shaped thing? It is one of the first
versions of the fancy little pieces people now place in their ears in order to
improve their hearing – a hearing aid!
Sometimes
referred to as an ear trumpet, this artifact was most likely used in the 1800s
and perhaps into the 1900s. The earliest record for the making and use of a
similar aid is in the 1600s, with serious manufacturing beginning in the early
1800s. One man, Johann Nepomuk Mälzel, was designing ear trumpets for Beethoven
around 1810. Similar to modern, electronic hearing aids that magnify sound
waves for an individual, the ear trumpet would funnel the waves into its tube
and allow for the sound to be louder – who knows how well these devices
actually worked, especially for the severely hearing impaired!
If
there ever was a situation that the phrase ‘selective hearing’ applied to it
would have had to have been when this hearing aid was in use. Unlike modern
hearing aids that sit inside an individual’s ear and can typically be turned “on”
or “off”, as well as have the volume changed, this aid would rely solely on someone
holding it beside their head and placing the small tip into their outer ear.
The excuse was surely used that someone hadn’t heard something because they hadn’t
used the hearing aid, as it was too awkward or tiring to hold up to their
head for a whole conversation. I probably would have opted to miss some
conversations for the sake of not having to use this thing! 
It
is hard to imagine someone using one of these devices now, but that just goes
to show another way in which our world has advanced. For
everyone’s sake, it is probably good that these are no longer in use, as the improvements in
technology, size and shape suggest these may not have worked the best.
Most people can relate to this information, I am sure! Interesting piece of equipment of its time. It makes one realize how far technology has come.
ReplyDeleteIt most certainly does! Thanks for checking out our post!
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