Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor (body) hearing aid was
manufactured by Telex Communications, Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota in
1954.
This hearing aid was given Model number 17 (instead of a 900 series
number—probably 955) to commemorate Telex' 17th year in the hearing aid
field.
This hearing aid measured 3½" x 1 15/16" x ⅝" (8.9 x 4.9 x 1.6 cm)
and weighed 3.5 oz. without batteries (100 g). It used 5 transistors.
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Front view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing aid
showing the gold colored pocket clip (upper center).
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Close-up of the pocket clip of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the microphone screen (center) and the Telex logo (bottom)..
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View under the raised pocket clip of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster"
showing the 3 round holes for the sound to reach the microphone.
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Top view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the on-off switch/1-4 volume control wheel (left) and a
small two-position switch of unknown function (extreme bottom right).
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Left side view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid. The receiver cord jack is near the bottom (right).
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Left side view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the receiver cord plugged in.
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Left side view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the receiver cord unplugged. Note the unusually long pins on
this plug.
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Rear view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the LO (low), N (normal) and HI (high) 3 position tone
control (mid right) and the battery compartment door (bottom). Near the
bottom of the battery compartment door are the words "Telex" and below
it "St. Paul, Minn. U.S.A."
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Inside rear view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the 5 transistors under the clear plastic "seal". Note the
black power transistor on the left, the 3 light blue ones (upper center)
and the 4th light blue one (diagonal on right).
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Inside rear view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the clear plastic "seal" that covered the 5 transistors (and
kept unauthorized fingers out). The inscription reads, "Guarantee is
void if seal is broken". Below that is "Telex, Inc." and "St. Paul,
Minnesota, U.S.A."
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View of the battery compartment of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the two bays for the batteries (left), the switch for using
either 2.6 or 5.2 volt batteries (upper right) and the Telex name
and Model number (17) and the word "Transistor" below it (right).
This hearing aid used two 1.4 volt "N" sized 401 batteries (such as the
Eveready E401-E mercury battery), or two "N" sized 152 batteries.
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Inside view of the lid of the battery compartment of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the instructions for the two-position battery switch. It
reads, "Important" and "This instrument will operate on either 2.6 or
5.2 volts. See your Telex Consultant for proper switch adjustment." and
"Remove batteries when not in use."
The battery switch (bottom right) is set for using two 1.3 volt
batteries. |
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Bottom view of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the serial number (4Y366) (left of center).
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Front view of the V1receiver of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the name "Telex" (top) and "V1" (bottom). An ear mold
snapped onto the receiver nubbin.
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Rear view of the of the V1 receiver of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the plain design of the V1 receiver.
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Front view of the V2 receiver of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing the name "Telex" (top) and "V2" (bottom). An ear mold
snapped onto the receiver nubbin.
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Rear view of the of the V2 receiver of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster" transistor hearing
aid showing a slightly different design and color than that of the V1 receiver.
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Close-up of the receiver and plug of the Telex Model 17 "Telemaster"
transistor hearing aid showing the rather long pins on the receiver cord
plug.
This hearing aid was donated to the Museum by Lee Carda of Gillette,
WY.
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