Widex Model 561 "Deluxe" (1) Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1)transistor (body) hearing aid was made by Toepholm & Westermann A/S of Copenhagen, Denmark and sold under the
trade name of Widex. It was distributed in the USA by the Widex Hearing
Aid Co., Inc.
The Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1) was the very first hearing aid manufactured
manufactured by Widex. It came out in 1956. It got its model number from
a combination of the year (56) and being the first hearing aid in that
year (1). It was also called the "Admiral 1" Note: they later
came out with another model 561 in 1959 called the "Wide Range".
This 4-transistor hearing aid measured 2 7/16" x 1⅝" x ⅝" (6.2 x 4.2 x 1.5 cm) and weighed 1.4
oz. (40 g) without battery and receiver.
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Front view of the Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1) transistor hearing aid showing
the round microphone grill in the center. The case was chrome front and
back with a black plastic pull off battery compartment at the bottom.
Note: the receiver, receiver cord and ear mold are missing.
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Top view of the Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1) transistor hearing aid showing
on-off/2 position tone control (left) shown in the off position, the
receiver cord jack (center) and
the 1-9 volume control (right). Presumably the two "on" positions were
normal tone and high-frequency emphasis.
The model 562 was the same as the model 561, but with the addition of
a t-coil.
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Rear view of the Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1) transistor hearing aid showing the
wire pocket clip.
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Bottom view of the Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1) transistor hearing aid with the
battery compartment cover pulled off revealing the 1.5 volt zinc
battery. This hearing aid used a size "N" or 401 battery such as this
Eveready E340E battery.
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View of the battery compartment of the Widex model 561 "Deluxe" (1) transistor hearing aid
with the battery removed showing the trade name (Widex) and the model
number (561). Below that is the country of origin (Denmark) and the
serial number (29136). Note the unusual battery contacts. The positive
terminal is on the right.
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View of the battery cover. Stamped into the top right corner on one
side is the word "WIDEX".
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View of the battery cover. Stamped into the top right corner on the
other side is the word "DENMARK".
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