Beltone Model F "Futura" Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Beltone Model F "Futura" was produced by the Beltone Electronics Corp. of Chicago, IL
in 1963.
The tiny Futura measured just 2⅝” by 1˝” by ⅝” and weighed 2˝ oz with the battery. It
used 5 transistors. (Notice the size of the hearing aid itself in
comparison to the ear mold.)
The case was brushed stainless steel front and back over a gray plastic
chassis—visible on all sides.
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The Model F "Futura" was very similar to the Model F "Fortissimo" of
1956 (shown here for comparison with the Futura—above), except it had a different microphone
grill and clip arrangement. |
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A sub-model of the Model F "Futura" (or possibly the Model F
"Fortissimo") had the same external tie-clip microphone arrangement as
the Model OP "Operetta". This attractive external rectangular microphone sat on top of the tie
clip itself. The grill and tie clip were gold colored. The black line
(extreme right) on the tie clip is actually a black wire running to the
microphone. It was set in a groove in the tie clip.
With this design,
the hearing aid itself was hidden behind the tie, but the microphone
wasn't covered so likely picked up sounds better than previous models
like the Allegro, for example.
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Top view of the Beltone Model F "Futura" showing the volume
control/on-off switch in the top left corner of the hearing aid. The "M"
(microphone) "T" (telephone or t-coil) switch is in the center to the
rear. |
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Left side view of the Model F "Futura" showing the two position tone control
(upper right of center) and the volume control/on-off switch on the
corner (right).
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Right side view of the Model F "Futura" showing the receiver cord jack (center).
The square hole below the left side of the receiver jack was for a
protrusion on the receiver cord plug so it couldn't be plugged in wrong. |
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Rear view of the Model F "Futura" showing the make and model engraved in the case "Beltone
Model F". This is identical to the back of the Model F
"Fortissimo". Note the
white dot (center) above the
hinge.
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View of the battery compartment of the Beltone Model F "Futura" with a 1.4
volt
No. 401 mercury battery in place. The
battery compartment door is hinged at the top and swings upward.
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The Beltone Model F "Futura" in its original case. |
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Outside view of the original case of the Beltone Model F "Futura".
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