Telescopic Ear Trumpet
Object in Focus
26 July 2022–March 2023
Hunterian Museum
Admission free
Our latest 'Object in Focus' is this 'banjo style' ear trumpet, an example of one of the many types of hearing aids made in the early 20th century.
In the same period, other types of aids available included ear cornets, conversation tubes, sound magnifiers and audiophones. J Gardner & Son also manufactured and sold surgical bandages, electrical medical apparatus and artificial limbs.
'Hearing instruments' which amplified sound via a bell, dome or bowl-shaped receiver became common in the second half of the 19th century. The earpiece of this ear trumpet was placed gently against the ear, the tube was a held in the listener's hand, and the bowl or horn pointed towards the speaker or source of noise.
VISITOR INFORMATION
- Telescopic Ear Trumpet is at the Hunterian Museum until March 2023.
- Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–5pm. Closed Monday. Please check our Opening Hours page before you visit.
- Back to Exhibition Programme.