Hugh Hetherington Hearing Aid Museum
Hugh Hetherington Hearing Aid Museum

The Hearing Aid Museum

Hearing Aids of all types—Ear Trumpets, Carbon Hearing Aids, Vacuum Tube Hearing Aids, Transistor Hearing Aids, Body Hearing Aids, Eyeglass Hearing Aids and much more!

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Click on the "General Information" button (top button above) for an overview and general information on this category of hearing aid.

 

Carbon Hearing Aids: 1900-1939

Thomas Thirsk "Miteacon" Model C Carbon Hearing Aid

The "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid was made by Thomas Thirsk of Croydon, Surrey, England about 1939.

Thirsk hearing aids were sold by General Acoustics Ltd. of England under the "Miteacon" trade name. Thirsk also produced hearing aids under the "Emitome" trade name.

The complete unit without the battery weighed only 4.9 oz. (140 g) and stood 6½" (16.7 cm) tall.

 

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Close-up of the front of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid microphone showing the pattern of 6 large slots around the periphery of the microphone comprising the microphone grill. Note the indent in the center of the microphone. Later models did not have this indent.

The microphone measured 2 5/16" in diameter by 11/16" thick (5.9 x 1.8 cm).

Note that this microphone used carbon dust rather than carbon shot.


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The back of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid microphone. Engraved on the lower back is the word "Miteacon" and below it "Reg No 776701" and below that "Made in England". This same registration number is engraved on both sides of the microphone.

The pocket clip, or more likely a button hole "hook" is at the top. You could just push the "hook" through a button hole and hang the hearing aid from your clothes that way.

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Bottom view of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid battery case showing the battery door in its closed position.

The microphone of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid mounted directly onto the metal battery case.

 

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Bottom view of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid battery case showing the battery door in its opened position.

The battery terminals were springy and pushed against the springy terminals in the top of the battery case.

 

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The "Miteacon" Model C used a 3 volt battery such as the Ardente No. 77. You can read more about the Ardente 77 hearing aid battery here.

 

 

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Top view of the  "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid on-off/volume control. The volume control was located on the cord about half way between the microphone and the earphone.

 

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Side view of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid volume control. This volume control was unusually thick when seen from the side.

 

 

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Front view of the  "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid earphone (earbud). It was held to the ear by an ear hook.

The wire ear hook swiveled so it would fit either the left or right ear as desired.

 

 

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View of the back of the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid earphone.

 

 

 

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A person in the previous owner's family likely made up this instruction sheet of how to use the "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid. You can read the full-size version of this instruction sheet here.
 

 

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The "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid in its original box. The inscription on the lid reads, "MITEACON" "REG. NO. 776701".
 

 

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The "Miteacon" Model C carbon hearing aid box. It measured 7¼" x 5" x 1 5/16" (18.3 x 12.6 x 3.3 cm).

 


 

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