Super Sonotone Model 33 Carbon Hearing Aid
The Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid was
manufactured in 1933 by Sonotone International, Inc. of New York.
This hearing aid came with either a receiver or a bone-conduction
transducer. The one shown here came with a bone-conduction transducer.
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Front view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid double
microphone showing the pattern of each of the microphone grills—12 holes in the outer ring, 6 holes in the middle ring and
one hole in the center. The double microphone measured 5⅛" wide x
2½" high x ⅝" thick, and weighed 4.6 oz. Note the
small circle with an "S" inside (center).
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Rear view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid double microphone
showing the pocket
clip (top center).
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Close-up rear view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid
double microphone. Below the pocket clip (not shown) are the words
"Sonotone Corp, New York" and just below the center, the serial number
S-40211.
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Inside view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid double
microphone showing the microphone diaphragm with the date of manufacture
on it—namely December 26, 1933. They used to write the date on the
diaphragm when manufactured, and then each time they changed the carbon
shot as it burned up.
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Top side view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid double
microphone showing the three-pin body plug and socket. Note that the
socket is recessed into the body, not flush with the surface as was the
case with later hearing aids.
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Side view of the above plug showing the name "Sonotone" and below that,
"New York".
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Bottom side view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid double
microphone showing the on-off/volume control slider (shown in the off
position), and the "foot" swung out so it could stand on a table. |
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End view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid carbon amplifier
showing the 3-pin plug and socket. This plug is slightly smaller than
the body plug so you can't accidentally interchange them.
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Side view of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid carbon amplifier
showing the name "Sonotone", "New York" and "US. Patent 1,939,627".
The two pins on the bottom of the carbon amplifier plugged directly into a battery such as
the
Sonotone Model X42 3-volt battery.
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View of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid bone conductor
transducer showing the end of the transducer with the cable plugs and
transducer jacks. The plugs are different sizes so can only plug in the
"right" way.
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View of the back of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid bone conductor
transducer showing the pattern on its back.
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View of the Super Sonotone Model 33 carbon hearing aid bone conductor
transducer and headband.
The headband held the transducer tightly to the mastoid bone behind
the ear for efficient transfer of the sound vibrations to the skull.
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