Toshiba Model THA-1001 Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor body hearing aid was
manufactured by the Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan in
1961 and was distributed under the "Toshiba" trade name by Transistor World
Corporation of New York, NY.
This 4-transistor hearing aid measured 2 15/16" x 2" x 11/16" (7.5 x 5.0 x 1.7 cm) and
weighed 2.4 oz (68 g) without the battery.
Back in 1961 this hearing aid only cost $29.88 as shown in this
coupon.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
 
|
|
|
|
Front view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid showing
the Toshiba name (top) and below it the brown triangular-shaped
microphone grill. The large "V"-shaped wire pocket clip is in the
center. Note that this microphone grill is brown (in contrast to the
model THA-1002 which had a green grill).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid showing
the receiver cord plug (left), the black push button to release the back
cover (center) and the 0-10 volume control/on-off wheel. Behind the
volume control wheel is the two-position tone control lever.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid. The
whole back comes off to reveal the battery compartment. Note in the
top left corner the letters "L" (low) and "H" (high) for
indicating the tone setting.
Near the bottom are stamped the words "Toshiba" (in script), and
below that the model number (THA-1001), and below that the name of the
manufacturer (Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.) and "Japan". |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Bottom view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Right side view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
showing the "Tel" (telephone t-coil) and "Mic" (microphone) switch
(center) shown here in the "Tel" position.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid with the
back cover off revealing the battery compartment (lower right). Note
the two-position tone control mechanism (top left).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Close-up view of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
battery compartment. This hearing aid used a single AA battery, either
mercury or carbon-zinc.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid battery
compartment with an
Eveready No. 915 battery in place.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Lower inside view of the back of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
showing the only number on this device—obviously too short to be the
serial number. It looks like "72W"
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the top left corner of the receiver of the Toshiba Model
THA-1001 transistor hearing aid showing the receiver cord jack.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top left corner of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
showing the receiver cord plugged into the jack.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top left corner of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
showing the receiver cord unplugged.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the receiver cord plug of the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid. Note that the left pin is larger in diameter
than the right pin in order to preserve correct polarity. Also note that
the pins are offset to the right so the pins wouldn't fit into the jack
if you tried to put them in backwards. On the front of the plug is the
name "Toshiba" in script and below that "Japan". |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the receiver cord plug of the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid showing the part number on this plug (50133-2).
Note: some plugs don't have this number on them.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the receiver of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
showing the name "Toshiba" in script (upper) and "Japan" lower.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Side view of the receiver of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid
showing the stock ear mold attached. This receiver was smaller than most
receivers at the time at ⅝" in diameter (1.6 cm). It looked like a
transistor radio ear bud of that era. In contrast the model THA-1002
had a "normal-sized" receiver that was 13/16" (2.1 cm) in diameter.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The stock ear mold (left) snapped on to the nubbin of the receiver as
did the normal custom ear molds (here shown separated).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the brown leather case with the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid in it.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the brown leather case with the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid in it.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid in its
original box.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Outside top view of the original box the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid came in.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Outside bottom view of the original box the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid came in. The inscription reads, "For Mailing:
Use larger Carton with soft packing material to avoid breakage." (upper)
and "1 Piece" and "Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd." and "72, Horikawa-Cho,
Kawasaki, Japan".
At the bottom is stamped the numbers "50007"—perhaps this is the
serial number. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Outside view of the original box the Toshiba Model THA-1001
transistor hearing aid came in. This box measured 4⅞" x 4¼" x 1 5/16"
(12.5 x 10.8 x 3.3 cm).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front cover of the
manual
for using the Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid. This small
manual was 12 pages long. Here is
the Guarantee form
to mail in for this hearing aid.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front cover of the guide booklet, "You and Your Hearing Aid" for the
Toshiba Model THA-1001 transistor hearing aid. It explains how to use
this hearing aid. This small guide is just 10 pages long.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
