Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell Hearing Aid
The Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid 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.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
 
|
| |
|
|
Close-up view of the right half of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise
Shell hearing aid carbon microphone.
The microphone was 5¼" x 2½" in diameter and ⅝" thick.
Inscribed into the face of the microphone are the words, "Mr. R. H.
Dent's Ardente, 309 Oxford St. London, W1"
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid double microphone. The back of
the upper microphone had a 5-step volume control shown in the "softest"
position, while the back of the
lower 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. The two-pronged battery plug is at the right. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid earphone. The earphone
measured 2" in diameter x ¾" thick.
There are two small holes on each side of the earphone for the
headphone band (see below).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid earphone with
headband attached.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid came with a folding
headband (shown in the folded position). The two "points" (bottom right)
snapped into holes in the sides of the earphone to hold it in place.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid earphone.
Inscribed into the back are the words "Ardente" and "309
Oxford Street, W1".
|
 |
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 |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing
aid receiver showing the on/off
switch (center). "On" was up and "off" down.
This hearing aid came with both an earphone and a receiver. The
wearer chose which to use in any given situation.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Side view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing
aid receiver showing how the wire ear hook snapped into a groove around
the circumference of the receiver. This ear hook helped hold the receiver in place.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Edge view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid
receiver showing the slot (bottom) on the side 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. There is normally a screw that constrains the
adjustment to be up to that of the length of the slot.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing
aid receiver showing the ear tip.
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 Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid hooked up to a 4½
volt
Eveready
D888 zinc-carbon hearing aid battery.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid packed in its resonant case.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the Ardente Double Carbon Tortoise Shell hearing aid resonant case/carrying
case showing the
double carbon microphones in place. It could be used this way as a
table-top hearing aid. The
case measured 8" x 3½" x 3" deep.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
