Long Domed Ear Trumpet (Ear Horn)
This long domed ear trumpet has no manufacturer's marks on it. It was
likely produced somewhere around 1890. A long domed ear trumpet is
listed in the 1892 Down Bros. catalogue. There were three sizes listed
ranging in price from 7 shillings & six pence to 12 shillings.
It is a true "London Dome" ear trumpet in that the sound tube extends
inside the bell and makes a 90° turn so the end of the tube faces the
top of the dome to catch the reflected sound from the parabolic-shaped
dome.
This long domed ear trumpet measures 15˝" long and 5˝" in diameter.
The dome is about 4" high. This ear trumpet weights 9.3 oz. It is made of tin painted black.
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Back and side view of the long domed ear trumpet. This ear trumpet was
built in a similar style to those designed by Harriet Martineau
(1802-1876). These ear trumpets were called Martineau Hearing Horns.
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Close-up of the domed end of the long domed ear trumpet showing the
shape of the dome. Notice the wire ring at the base of the long tube.
Goldstein wrote, "A ring soldered to the base of the long tube allows
the user to hook a finger through it for ease of holding."
Personally, I find using this ring makes it very uncomfortable to hold
this ear trumpet.
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Close-up of the bell of the long domed ear trumpet. The grill is covered
with numerous 3/16" holes to let the sound in and yet soften the sound
at the same time. This grill arrangement is called a "refiner" according
to Goldstein.
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Close-up of the top of the earpiece of the long domed ear trumpet.
This is the largest and most uncomfortable-looking ear tip of all the
ear trumpets in the Museum, but it certainly seals the mouth of the ear
canal!
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Close-up of the side of the earpiece of the long domed ear trumpet.
Unlike most of the long ear trumpets, this one doesn't have a
comfortable hard rubber ear tip.
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This long domed ear trumpet comes apart to make it shorter for carrying
and storing. The long tube slides onto the dome piece.
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Close-up of the connection showing the hook and flange that hold the two
pieces together. There is a gap in the flange that allows the person to
slide the two pieces together properly.
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After sliding the two pieces together as far as they go, you twist
the ear tube so the hook is locked behind the flange so the two pieces
cannot accidentally come apart. This is the only ear trumpet of which I
know that has this cool feature.
While in the locked position you can still twist the ear tube to make
it work for either the left or right ear.
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