Ardente "Duchess" Transistor (Barrette) Hearing Aid
The Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor hearing aid was
made by Ardente Acoustic Laboratories, Ltd. of Windsor, England in 1958.
It measured 2⅞" by ⅞" by ˝" thick. It weighed 1˝ oz. without the battery.
The attractive gray plastic case was made to look like tortoiseshell.
Notice 1 of the 5 microphone ports near the right center of the case.
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The receiver cord was 4˝" long. The Ardente "Duchess" is
shown here with a standard ear mold on the receiver. However, it could
be worn with a
phantom
ear mold attached to the receiver. That way the receiver could be
buried in the hair and no one would suspect you were even wearing a
hearing aid.
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Left side view of the Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor
hearing aid showing the volume control/on-off wheel, and 2 of the 5
microphone ports (right).
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Right side view of the Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor
hearing aid showing the final 2 of the 5 microphone ports.
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Bottom view of the Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor
hearing aid showing the
hair clip and the red rubber backing that helped to hold this hearing
aid in the hair. |
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View of the Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor hearing aid
with the battery door opened showing the
battery compartment. Note: the serial number (D14970R) on the bottom of
the battery compartment. The curved wire (to the right of the serial
number) is the negative battery contact. |
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View of the Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor hearing
aid showing a
No. 625 1.4 volt mercury battery in the battery compartment. The
brass "knob" immediately to the right of the battery slides to the right
to release the battery door and slides back to hold the door shut. The
name (Ardente) and model (Duchess) are inscribed on the bottom of the
brass battery door. |
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View of the left end of the Ardente "Duchess" barrette
transistor hearing aid showing how the receiver cord plugged into it.
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The receiver of the Ardente "Duchess" snapped on to a socket
in the bottom left corner of its carrying case.
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The Ardente "Duchess" barrette transistor hearing aid in
its original brown velvet case. |
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Outside view of the Ardente "Duchess" brown velvet
case.
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