Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone" Carbon Hearing Aid The Western Electric 34A carbon hearing aid was manufactured by the Western Electric Company in 1925. Western Electric marketed these early hearing aids under the "Audiphone" trade name. It was one of the few 1-piece carbon hearing aids of the time. The unit measured 7¾" by 4" by 1½" (19.8 x 10 x 3.5 cm) and weighed 2 lbs. (924 g) when fitted with batteries. |  | Click picture for larger view | | |   | | | |
| View of the inside of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone" with the front opened. All it consisted of was a carbon microphone (top left) and three "D" size battery holders (bottom left half). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the microphone of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone". The Audiphone used a Western Electric 390-A carbon microphone. The microphone was quite large measuring 3½" (8.8 cm) in diameter. This microphone was different from other hearing aid microphones of the day in that carbon granules were used rather than the carbon block and carbon balls. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the battery holder portion of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone" showing the slots for the three "D" batteries to used. The output voltage was thus 4½ volts. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The decal on the inside of the case. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone" showing the hand strap to help in securely holding this hearing aid. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Bottom view of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone" showing the hole (bottom left) for the earphone wire. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Bottom view of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone" showing the earphone wire coming out of the hole (bottom left). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The wire-wound resistor volume control (shown in the off position) was located about half way along the cord going to the receiver (ear piece). Sliding the knob down turned the hearing aid on, and then pushing it more increased the volume. Below the slider knob is stamped "60 B" and above the knob (hidden under the "Off" in the case are the words, "Pat. App'd for in USA". The volume control measured 2 11/16" by ½" in diameter (6.9 x 1.3 cm). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The receiver and stock ear mold of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone". Note the wire retainer to help hold the ear mold in the ear. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Top view of the receiver and stock ear mold of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone". |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Side view of the receiver and stock ear mold of the Western Electric Model 34A "Audiphone". Note the name stamped into the base of the receiver. It reads, "Western Electric 550 BW" and "Made in USA". On the back of the stock ear mold is stamped the model "6AR".
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