Ardente Model C5 II (Double) Carbon Hearing Aid
The Ardente Model C5 II 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.
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Front view of the Ardente Model C5 II double carbon shot microphone.
The microphone was 5⅛" x 2½" in diameter and ⅝" thick.
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Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 II double microphone. The back of
the left microphone had the 5 step volume control shown in the "soft"
position, while the back of the
right microphone had a pocket clip. This hearing aid could be taken
out of its resonant case and worn clipped to a pocket if the wearer so
chose.
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Front view of the Ardente Model C5 II earphone. 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).
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Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 II earphone showing the on/off switch
(top center). On is up and off is down.
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Edge view of the Ardente Model C5 II Double Carbon hearing aid earphone
showing the slot on the side (bottom right) that allows you to turn the earpiece front a bit.
This moves the diaphragm in or out and thus presumably increases or
decreases the volume. The screw constrains the adjustment to the length
of the slot.
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The Ardente Model C5 II came with both an earphone (and headband not
shown) (left), and a more discrete receiver (right) and wire
ear hook (not shown) to help hold it in place. The wearer chose which
one to wear in any given situation.
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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.
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Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 II receiver showing the on/off
switch (center). "On" was up and "off" down.
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Front view of the Ardente Model C5 II 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.
Note the wire ear hook to help hold the receiver in place.
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Front view of the Ardente Model C5 II plastic battery case. On the upper
front is instribed "309 Oxford St./Ardente/ London W1" and lower down "Made
in England". The battery case measured 3" wide x 3⅜" high x 1"
thick.
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Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 II plastic battery case.
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Top view of the Ardente Model C5 II battery case showing the two-pin
socket for the battery plug. The holes are of unequal size so you have
to plug the battery cord in the right way.
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The back of the Ardente Model C5 II battery case opened, showing two of
the four 1.5 volt batteries needed for it to operate. This hearing aid
required a total of 6 volts to work. It used AA sized batteries. Shown
are two
Eveready 1015E hearing aid batteries.
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The Ardente Model C5 II in its resonant case.
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Front view of the Ardente Model C5 II resonant case showing the
double carbon microphones in place. It could be used this way as a
table-top hearing aid.
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The carrying case/resonant case for the Ardente Model C5 II. The
case measured 8" x 3¼" x 2" deep.
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