Maico Model O (Transist-Ear) Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Maico Model O (Transist-Ear) was manufactured by Maico Electronics, Inc. of
Minneapolis, MN. The name "Maico" was derived from the initials of
the Medical Acoustic Instrument Company.
This was Maico's first all-transistor model and used 3
transistors. It came out in January of 1953.
Maico could have been the very first to produce a hearing aid using a
transistor. They had this Model "O" all-transistor aid ready for
production in late 1952, but decided to do more testing before releasing
it to the public. Then, on December 29, 1952, Sonotone surprised Maico
and came out with its hybrid
Sonotone Model 1010
that used 1 transistor and 2 vacuum tubes.
Maico decided to immediately end all testing and start production on
this all-transistor hearing aid which they did beginning sometime in
January, 1953.
Also, in January, 1953, Microtone brought out their
Microtone T1 (Transi-matic) all transistor hearing aid. So Maico and Microtone hold the honor of
bringing out the first all-transistor commercially available hearing
aids.
The Maico Model "O" had rather a strange shape—wider than tall. Its chrome case measured 1¾" x 2½" x
¾" thick.
The on-off/volume control is at the top right corner.
|
