Beltone Model F "Fortissimo" Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Beltone Model F "Fortissimo" was produced by the Beltone Electronics Corp. of Chicago, IL
in 1956.
Don't confuse this Model F "Fortissimo" with the
Beltone Fortissimo of 1984. (Beltone
sometimes used the same model name more than once as in this case.)
The Fortissimo measured 2⅝” by 1˝” by ⅝” and weighed 2˝ oz with the battery. It
used 5 transistors. It had a wire pocket clip below the gold-colored
microphone grill.
The case was metal front and back over a black plastic
chassis—visible on all sides.
Note the small size of the receiver in this model.
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Top view of the Beltone Model F showing the volume
control/on-off switch in the top left corner of the hearing aid. The "M"
(microphone) "T" (telephone or t-coil) switch is in the center to the
rear. |
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Left side view of the Model F showing the two position tone control
(upper right of center) and the volume control/on-off switch on the
corner (right).
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Right side view of the Model F showing the receiver cord jack (center).
The square hole above the right side of the receiver jack was for a
protrusion on the receiver cord plug so it couldn't be plugged in wrong. |
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Rear view of the Model F showing the make and model engraved in the case "Beltone
Model F". Note the
white dot (center) above the
hinge.
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View of the battery compartment of the Beltone Model F. The
battery compartment door is hinged at the top and swings upward.
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View of the battery compartment of the Beltone Model F with a 1.4
volt
No. 401 mercury battery in place.
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The Beltone Model F "Fortissimo" in its original case. |
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Outside view of the original case of the Beltone Model F.
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