Ardente Model C5 (Single) (earlier versions) Carbon Hearing Aid
The Ardente Model C5 was manufactured by Ardente Acoustic Laboratories, Ltd. of
London, England. Mr. R. H. Dent, the founder, used his name prominently
on many of his hearing aids along with the Ardente trade name. It was
manufactured around 1930.
There seem to have been several versions of the model C5, each with
minor differences in appearance.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
 
|
| |
|
|
Front view of an earlier version of the Ardente Model C5 microphone.
This one used carbon dust.
The microphone was 2⅛" in diameter and ⅝" thick.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of a somewhat later version of the Ardente Model C5 microphone.
This one used carbon shot. (When you shake it, you can hear the shot
rattle.) The two pins on the battery case pushed into the two jacks on the
bottom of the microphone case.
The microphone was 2¼" in diameter and ⅝" thick.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 (earlier) carbon dust microphone. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 (later) carbon shot microphone. The hole
at the top was to thread a lanyard through so you could wear this
hearing aid around your neck. Note that this hearing aid did not have
any volume control. What you heard was what you got.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Ardente used this rather interesting plug configuration—one pin and one
jack on each plug. This plug joined the earphone or receiver cord to the microphone.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
An earlier version of the above plug. Notice the difference in design to
the above plugs. It also shows the address Ardente used between 1922 and
1948, namely 309 Oxford Street, London, W 1. On the reverse is the name
"Ardente".
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the Ardente Model C5 earphone (earlier version). Notice
the difference in the design of the holes between this earlier model and
the later model shown below. This earlier model had the same
dimensions as the later version (below).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the Ardente Model C5 earphone (later version). The earphone
measured 2⅛" in diameter x ¾" thick. It was unusually heavy, weighing in
at a hefty 3 oz.
There are two small holes on each side of the earphone for the
headphone band (not shown).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 earphone (earlier version) showing the on/off switch
(top center) in the off position. On is up and off is down.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 earphone (later version) showing the on/off switch
(top center) in the off position. On is up and off is down.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Ardente Model C5 also came with a more discrete receiver and wire
ear hook to help hold it in place.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 receiver showing the on/off
switch (center). "On" was up and "off" down.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
Front view of the Ardente Model C5 earphone showing the ear tip removed.
Early receivers came with stock ear tips. The ear tip screwed to a
post on the receiver so it could easily be replaced with one of a different
size.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The bottom of the Ardente Model C5 battery case opened to show the battery
compartment. This hearing aid used a 3 volt
Ardente No. 77 battery.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Ardente Model C5 in its storage case.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Close-up of the name and address on the inside of the lid of the
Ardente Model C5 storage case. It reads, "Mr. R. H. Dents Ardente for Deaf Ears 309
Oxford St London W. 1. and Branches".
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The carrying/storage case for the Ardente Model C5. The
case measured 10½" x 3¼" x 2" deep.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
