Microtone T1
The Microtone T1 (Transi-matic) was the second all-transistor hearing
aid to come out (the
Maico Model "O" Transist-Ear
was the first). The Microtone T1 came out in late January or early February of 1953.
(Don't confuse the Microtone T1 with the Microtone T-1 which was a 3
vacuum-tube hearing aid that came out around 1947.)
With all-transistor hearing aids, wearers were given a break through the
elimination of the relatively expensive "B" battery required to power
their vacuum tube hearing aids.
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The first known mention of Microtone's new all-transistor Model
T-1 hearing aid was in The Billings Gazette newspaper on January 27,
1953.
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On February 4, 1953, The News of the Tonawanda NY reported that "today"
Microtone "introduced" their new Model T-1 all transistor hearing aid.
A special thank you to Dr. Rick Hirsch for his research into searching
out these newspaper clippings of the first mention of the Microtone T-1
hearing aid.
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Most of the first all-transistor hearing aids, and
the Microtone T1 was no exception, were quite large to begin with as many
of them utilized the same case designs used by their vacuum tube
predecessors. Because of the small size of transistors and the smaller
battery compartments, transistor hearing aids were soon miniaturized and
smaller models quickly followed.
The
Microtone T1 measures 3" by 2¼" and is about ¾" thick. It came in a plastic
case with gold anodized aluminum front and back plates.
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A hard, clear plastic ear mold snapped to the button receiver
(earpiece) to hold the receiver to the ear. |
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The Microtone T1 used only one "AA" size 1½
volt battery. AA (double A) batteries are still commonly used in many
consumer products today. It could also be powered by 2 mercury
cells boosting the output, if required. The picture at the right shows
the back cover opened revealing the single AA battery. |
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A close-up view showing the battery compartment. |
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This is the Microtone T1 in its original box.
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