Nuvox Confidente

The Nuvox Confidente was manufactured in June 1963. According to the instructions, "The Nuvox Confidente is a self-contained desk-model hearing aid which may be used in Church Confessionals, speech therapy programs, etc."

The amplifier uses three 2N404 transistors which are powered by 2 "C" cells.

The size of the device is 6¼" by 3⅝" by 2". With batteries, it weighs 1¼ lb.

It seems the "Confidente" must have been used much like a PockeTalker is used today. Perhaps it was used by 1 hearing person and 1 hard of hearing person (who wore the headphones). They would sit close together and talk into the microphone (grill at the top center on the above picture). This way they could have a private conversation without yelling so all the world could hear. (Since it has two earphone jacks, this device could also work for 2 hard of hearing people each wearing headphones so they could hear each other.)

Internal view showing the circuit board. The three black "buttons" are the transistors.

The headphones consisted of 2 hearing aid receivers set in special rubber cups connected by a headband. The rubber cups are marked MX-41/AR.

These headphones are interesting because they are not the typical earphones, but consisted of the small receivers used on transistorized body hearing aids of the time—but mounted on large rubber ear cups.