Auricles—General Information
If hearing trumpets were the acoustical equivalent of our hearing aids today,
then auricles could be considered the ear-level version of the acoustical aids.
Auricles came either singly, or in pairs, generally with a headband to hold them
over the head. Sometimes they were referred to as ear scoops.
Some versions, such as the Super-Ear produced by the American Earphone Company, were sold well
into the first quarter of the 20th century.
Auricles produced about the same
degree of amplification as holding your cupped hands behind your ears. They were
also able to give an improved response at certain frequencies depending upon the
length and internal diameter of the tubes. Another advantage was to emphasize
sound from the front, similar to a directional microphone.
Auricles were made in a variety of materials including tortoiseshell, celluloid
and metal. Some were decorative in nature and may have been worn as a fashion
item.
What goes around comes around. There are some modern-day "auricles"
as well. Check out the
Batphones and the
Earglasses.
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Click picture for larger view |
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Example of Auricles
Click on the "Non-Electric" button
(on
the
left), then on "Auricles" to see the details of these and
other auricles. |
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Click the above button to see general information on the previous category of
non-electric hearing aids. |
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