Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) Carbon Hearing Aid The Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid was manufactured by the F. C. Rein Company located at 108 Strand Street, London, England, probably around 1941. (Rein had just purchased the Oravox Co. in 1940). The leather case measured 5 9/16" x 2 15/16" x 2 3/16" (14 x 7.5 x 5.7 cm) and weighed 8.8 oz. (250 g) without the battery. Note that originally "Rein" was pronounced like "Rhine" in the Rhine river. However, during the Second World War, they thought the name was too German-sounding, so they began pronouncing it like the English word "rain". |  | Click picture for larger view | | |  | | | |
| The Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid consisted of a double microphone (top), earphone (bottom), volume control/on-off switch (right) and battery plug (left). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| View of the front of the double microphones of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid. These microphones used carbon balls (shot)—you can hear them "rattle" when you shake them. Each microphone measured 2⅛" in diameter by ¾" thick (5.4 x 1.9 cm). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid showing the pocket clip on the left microphone. At the extreme left end of the pocket clip is a slot for threading a lanyard through so you could hang it around your neck if you preferred.
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| Close-up view of the back of the right microphone (above picture) showing the name "Rein Oravox" (bottom left), and where it was made "London" (bottom right). At the bottom between the two screw heads is stamped "British made" and below that "PATENT". |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Front view of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid sliding volume control shown in the "off" position. At the top (in red) is the word "LOUD" and at the bottom (in white) is the word "OFF". |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid volume control showing the words "F C Rein & Son" and below that "British Made" stamped into it. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the battery plug of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid. Note that the prongs of the plug are of different sizes so you couldn't plug it in "backwards". This hearing aid probably used a 3 or 4½ volt battery. The Museum does not have a battery with this exact pin spacing so the size and shape of the battery is unknown. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Front view of the earphone of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid. The earphone measured 2" in diameter by ¾" thick (5.1 x 2.0 cm). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the earphone of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Side view of the earphone of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid showing the holes (center) (there was one on each side) into which the headband brackets snapped. The headband is missing. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Front view of the leather carrying case the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid came in. You could use this hearing aid with the microphones in the case as shown, or you could take all the contents out and dispense with the case—your choice. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Insdie view of the leather carrying case of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid showing all the components in place. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the leather carrying case of the Rein Oravox (Double-Microphone) carbon hearing aid showing how the flap was kept closed by the brass latch.
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