Ardente "4" (Single) Carbon Hearing Aid The Ardente "4" was manufactured by Ardente Acoustic Laboratories, Ltd. of London, England. Mr. R. H. Dent, the founder, used his name prominently on many of his hearing aids along with the Ardente trade name. It was manufactured around 1945. Mr. R. H. Dent, the founder, used his name prominently on many of his hearing aids along with the Ardente trade name. It seems the name "Ardente" was made up of his first initial "R" but pronounced as though it were spelled "AR", his last name "Dent" and then a "fancy" "E" on the end. These carbon hearing aids did not have any model numbers, and since there isn't much documentation available, I have numbered four somewhat similar models as "1", "2", "3" and "4" to differentiate them.
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| Front view of a later version of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid microphone. This microphone was different from the earlier versions in that it did not plug directly on to the battery case, but was on a cord that plugged into the battery case. This carbon microphone was 2½" in diameter and ½" thick (6.4 x 1.2 cm). It used carbon shot. (When you shake it, you can hear the shot rattle.)
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| Rear view of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid microphone showing the pocket clip. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Ardente used this rather interesting plug configuration—one pin and one jack on each plug. This plug joined the earphone or receiver cord to the microphone.
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| The microphone cord plugged into the top of the battery case on this version of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid. This refinement mean that you could keep the battery case in your pocket. It didn't have to hang on your clothes with the carbon microphone.
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| View of the battery case and battery case plug of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid.
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| Front view of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid earphone. This earphone measured 2⅛" in diameter x ¾" thick. (5.4 x 1.9 cm). It was unusually heavy, weighing in at a hefty 3.5 oz. (92 g).
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| Rear view of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid earphone showing the on/off switch (top center) in the off position. On is up and off is down.
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| Side view of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid earphone showing how the earphone volume could be slightly adjusted by rotating the earphone cover up to about 1" (the distance the screw head allows movement in the slot (center). There are two small holes on each side of the earphone for the headphone band (one shown bottom center).
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| The Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid also came with a more discrete receiver shown here from the side. It had a stock shape, but the ear tip could be screwed out to replace it with one of a different size.
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| Rear view of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid receiver.
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| View of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid earphone/receiver plugs. Ardente used this interesting arrangement where each plug had one male and one female contact.
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| Close-up of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid earphone plug showing the sliding on-off switch. It was rather unusual to have the on-off switch built on the plug like this. Note that this hearing aid did not have any volume control. What you heard was what you got.
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| Bottom view of the battery case of the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid opened to show the battery compartment. This hearing aid used a 3 volt Ardente No. 77 battery.
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| The Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid in its storage case. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up of the name and address on the inside of the lid of the Ardente "4" storage case. It reads, "Mr. R. H. Dents Ardente for Deaf Ears 309 Oxford St London W. 1. and Branches".
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| The carrying/storage case for the Ardente "4" carbon hearing aid. The case measured 10½" x 3¼" x 2" deep (26.6 x 8.3 x 5.1 cm). |  | Click picture for larger view | | |
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