Ardente Model C5 (Single) (later version) 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. This one appears to have been a later
version of the Ardente Model C5.
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Front view of a later version of the Ardente Model C5 microphone. This
microphone was different from the earlier versions in that it did not
plug directly on to the battery case, but was on a cord that plugged
into the battery case. This carbon microphone was 2½" in diameter and
½" thick. It used carbon shot. (When you shake it, you can hear the
shot rattle.)
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Rear view of the Ardente Model C5 (later version) carbon microphone
showing the pocket clip. |
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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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The microphone cord plugged into the top of the battery case on this
later version of the Ardente C5 carbon hearing aid. This refinement mean
that you could keep the battery case in your pocket. It didn't have to
hang on your clothes with the carbon microphone.
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View of the battery case and battery case plug of the later version of
the Ardente C5 carbon hearing aid.
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Front view of the later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing
aid earphone. This earphone measured 2⅛" in diameter x ¾" thick.
It was unusually heavy, weighing in at a hefty 3.5 oz.
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Rear view of the later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing
aid earphone showing the on/off switch
(top center) in the off position. On is up and off is down.
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Side view of the later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing
aid earphone showing how the earphone volume could be slightly adjusted
by rotating the earphone cover up to about 1" (the distance the screw
head allows movement in the slot (center). There are two small holes on each side of the earphone for the
headphone band (one shown bottom center).
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The later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing aid also came with a more discrete receiver
shown here from the side. It had a stock shape, but the ear tip could be
screwed out to replace it with one of a different size.
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Rear view of the later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon
hearing aid receiver.
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View of the later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing aid earphone/receiver
plugs. Ardente used this interesting arrangement where each plug had one
male and one female contact.
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Close-up of the later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing aid earphone
plug showing the sliding on-off switch. It was rather unusual to have
the on-off switch built on the plug like this. Note that this hearing aid did not have
any volume control. What you heard was what you got.
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Bottom view of the battery case of the later version of the Ardente Model C5
carbon hearing aid opened to show the battery
compartment. This hearing aid used a 3 volt
Ardente No. 77 battery.
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The later version of the Ardente Model C5 carbon hearing aid in its storage case.
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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".
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The carrying/storage case for the later version of the Ardente Model C5
carbon hearing aid. The
case measured 10½" x 3¼" x 2" deep.
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