Sonotone Model 533 Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid
The Sonotone Model 533 vacuum tube hearing aid was manufactured by Sonotone International,
Inc. of Ossining, New York in 1942.
The Sonotone 533 used three vacuum tubes. It weighed 9¾ oz without
the batteries.
It measured 5" high x 2⅜" wide by ⅞" thick.
It was quite attractive with its shiny black plastic case with the
pearlized inserts on the front.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Right side view of the Sonotone 533 showing the volume control.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Left side view of the Sonotone 533 showing the
tone control. Both the volume and tone controls look identical and there
are no markings on the case to tell them apart. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of the Sonotone 533 showing the on-off switch (center).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of the Sonotone 533 showing the battery/receiver cable
unplugged. It was a bit unusual to have the battery cords plugged into
the top of the hearing aid, rather than the more normal bottom plug. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The 2-pronged "A" battery plug (left) and the 3-pronged "B" battery plug
(right). The Sonotone Model 533 used a
Sonotone 1½ volt "A" battery, and likely a
45 volt "B" battery like this one.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
Side view of the receiver and an early custom hard black plastic ear
mold.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
View showing how the ear mold snapped to the receiver.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Sonotone name and serial number were at the top back of the hearing
aid case. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The model number was at the lower back of the Sonotone 533 hearing aid.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Sonotone 533 in its original leatherette carrying case. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Outside view of the Sonotone 533's leatherette carrying case.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
