Phonic Ear Model HC-527 (Rechargeable) Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
This Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing aid was
manufactured by Phonic Ear, Inc. of Mill Valley, CA in 1978.
This hearing aid contained an integrated circuit and AGC (automatic
gain control).
The unit measured 2 7/16" x 1½" x 13/16" (6.1 x 3.8 x 2.1 cm) and
weighed 2.6 oz (74 g) without the battery.
The Phonic Ear hearing aids were actually auditory trainers for
children in school. This aid was also an FM receiver so the child could
clearly hear the teacher's voice.
There were actually 2 cheaper submodels of the HC-527—the Economy
HC-527E and the Super Economy model, the HC-527SE.
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Top front view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing
aid showing the round microphone grill (left) and the name "Phonic Ear"
and under it, the model number (HC-527) (right).
This aid used an electret microphone.
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Front view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing
aid showing the tone control and below it the AV (volume) control. To
adjust these controls you popped off the plastic plugs, then set the
volume and tone using a small screwdriver. Between the microphone
grill and the tone control is the uniquely-formed plastic pocket clip.
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Top view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing aid.
Note that unlike most hearing aids, there were no controls whatsoever on
the top.
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Bottom view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing aid
showing the two audio input jacks (upper left) and below them, the two
battery recharging terminals. The DAI (direct audio input) jacks could
connect to any audio device such as a record player or tape player (in
those days) to give the child practice with specific listening skills.
This hearing aid contained a
rechargeable battery and was put in the recharging cradle each night to
recharge the battery.
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Left side view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing
aid showing the two-pronged receiver cord plug and jack (center).
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Left side view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing
aid showing the 3-position switch (left). This switch switched between
M—microphone, M/T—microphone and t-coil together and Audio—direct audio
input (from the Audio Input jacks (shown above). On the right is the
two-position on/off switch shown in the off position.
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Rear view of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor body hearing aid
showing the legend for the switches on the side. Along the right side
(from top to bottom) are the "M", "M/T", "Audio", "Phone", "O" and "I".
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The person that used this particular Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor
body hearing aid had a hearing loss in both ears. Thus, the use of a "Y"
cord so two receivers could be plugged into the one hearing aid.
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View of the back of receiver 1 of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor
body hearing aid.
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View of the side of receiver 1 of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor
body hearing aid showing the two-pronged plug and jack. Note that the
jack and plug had different sized prongs/holes so the cord couldn't be
plugged in wrongly. |
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View of the front of receiver 1 of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527
transistor body hearing aid. This wasn't the original receiver, but
was an Oticon receiver (model AW-180) made in Denmark.
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View of the back of receiver 2 of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor
body hearing aid.
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View of the side of receiver 2 of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527 transistor
body hearing aid showing the two-pronged plug and jack. Note that the
jack and plug had different sized prongs/holes so the cord couldn't be
plugged in wrongly. |
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View of the front of receiver 2 of the Phonic Ear Model HC-527
transistor body hearing aid. Stamped on the rim are the numbers "51"
(top) and "135" (bottom).
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