Acousticon Model A-55 Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid
The Acousticon A-55 was a two-piece vacuum tube
hearing aid manufactured by Dictograph Products, Inc. of New York
between 1942 and 1945.
It also went by the name "Symphonic" and in 1945
became known as the "Super-Power".
The
overall dimensions of the aid, which came in black or clear plastic, was
4" by 2¼" by 7/8". In the Unipac model (see below) the leather case increased the size to 5½" by 2½"
by 1". |
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Close-up showing the Acousticon A-55 with the black case. This model
is the two-piece, pre 1945 model with a black case.
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The pre-1945 Acousticon A-55 was a two piece unit as the batteries
were separate. The picture at the right shows the two battery plugs—the
smaller 2-prong plug for the "A" battery and the larger 3-prong plug for
the "B" battery. |
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Close-up of the rear of the Acousticon A-55 (1945 "Unipac" model)
showing its clear plastic
case so you could see all the components. The plastic front was frosted
so you couldn't see into it from the front. |
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In 1945 they came out with the "Unipac" model that kept the batteries
in a leather case with the hearing aid. The picture at the right shows
the new batter holder. The "A" battery mounted horizontally in the top
holder and the larger "B" battery in the bottom mount. |
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The Acousticon A-55 "Unipac" showing the hearing aid (center), ear
piece (top) and battery holder (bottom). |
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The 1945 "Unipac" showing the optional "genuine
morocco" leather case. The case contained both the batteries and
the hearing aid making this a
one-piece hearing aid.
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