Beltone Mono-pac Model M "Melody" Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid
The Beltone Monopac Model M "Melody" vacuum tube one-piece hearing
aid was produced by the Beltone Electronics Corp. of Chicago, IL in 1950.
The dimensions
are 3⅛” by 2⅛” by ¾”. This 3 vacuum tube hearing aid weighed 4½ oz.
without the batteries.
This hearing aid was graciously donated by Elmer Lee Underwood.
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The top view of the Beltone Model M showing the jack for the receiver
cord plug (left side) and below it the red volume control/on-off switch.
In the center (top) is the two-position tone? control. The microphone
grill (red design) is on the front face center.
The case is chrome front and back over a wine-colored plastic
chassis.
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Rear view of the Mono-pac Model M. Note the red dot on the back (left
side center) of the case. A red dot in this position indicated ??? The
battery door swings up from the bottom.
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The battery compartment of the Beltone Mono-pac M. The 1.4 Volt
(RG-1—same as an
RM-1) mercury "A" battery is shown at the bottom right,
while the 30 volt
506E "B" battery occupies the left side.
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This is the Beltone "Phantomold," or what
is referred to as a "Link." It is shown attached to the
magnetic receiver. The Phantomold was often used so that the
large button receiver did not show in the ear. The plastic tubing
connected the receiver through a tube up to an ear mold. The button receiver was
hidden under the person’s collar.
These links are still used by broadcasters to hide
the in-ear device.
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The Beltone Model M came in at least two versions with small changes
and improvements. Notice the change in the pocket clip design. The
earlier version is on the right and the later version on the left.
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Another change was in the battery compartment. Notice that in the
newer version (left), there is a spring clip on the right side of the
lid of the battery compartment in order to make better contact with the
"A" battery. The earlier version doesn't have this, and obviously there
were problems with the battery making good contact with the lid.
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Notice that they also changed the battery contact in the bottom of the
"A" battery well. The earlier version (right) used a coiled spring
contact, while the later version just used a solid contact. A stronger
spring was in the lid (above picture). Notice that the earlier version
(right) has a serial number beginning with 26, and the later version
with 28.
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A view of the Beltone Melody in its original box.
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The original Beltone Mono-pac Moled M box. It measured approximately 4¾" x 3¾" x
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Here is the receipt for the original purchase of this Beltone Model M
hearing aid. It was sold by Beltone Hearing Aid of Nashville, TN.
It cost $181.00 (with the elite "Phantomold". The date is April 14
and the year is presumably 1950 or possibly 1951.
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