Zenith Model 50-X Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Zenith Model 50-X transistor tearing aid was manufactured by the
Hearing Aid Division of the Zenith Radio Corp. beginning in October, 1955. It was an
3-transistor aid.
The Zenith Model 50-X measured 2⅝" x 1¾" x 11/16" thick (6.6 x 4.5 x
1.7 cm), and weighed 1.9 oz. (56 g) without the battery. This hearing
aid was rather striking in that the case was black-colored rather than the light silver or
gold colored cases usually used by Zenith (and other manufacturers) at
this time.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
 
|
| |
|
|
Front view of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid showing the wire pocket
clip. The vertical rectangular microphone grill (front center) was
skirted by the pocket clip on its sides
and bottom. Note the name "Zenith" across the front near the bottom.
Read the Zenith 50-X "How
To Use Manual".
Read the Zenith 50-X "Tests
before returning hearing aid for service".
Read the Zenith 50-X "Battery
Reminders".
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
Top view of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid showing the volume
control/on-off switch (top front left). In the center is the receiver cord
jack.
Note that in this earlier version, there were no markings (numbers or
"off") on the volume control wheel. These were added in a later version
(see below).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of a later version of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid showing
the 1 to 7 volume control/on-off switch (top front left).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of a later version of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid showing
the 2-pronged receiver cord plug and the corresponding jack unplugged.
Note the plug was black to match the body color.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Side view of the Zenith 50-X hearing aid. The spring-loaded pocket clip
fits into holes on each side. You could pull the clip ends out and then fit it on
the back of the aid instead of the front if you wanted to. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid. Engraved into the back
are the words "Zenith", "50-X" and "the royalty of hearing".
In the upper left corner is an up arrow and the word "Volume".
On the battery compartment lid is the serial number 0623304
(bottom center).
The later version (numbers on the volume control wheel) had the serial
number 0624895.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the battery compartment of the Zenith 50-X hearing aid. The
battery door swung up from the bottom. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the battery compartment of the Zenith 50-X hearing aid
showing the battery in place. The Zenith
Model 50-X hearing aid took an "N" sized 1.4 volt No.
401 mercury battery such as this
Mallory RM-401H battery. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Rear view of the receiver of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid with the
receiver cord plugged in. This receiver was smaller than the regular-sized
receiver, namely 11/16" (1.8 cm) rather than the normal size of 13/16"
(2.1 cm).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Side view of the receiver of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid showing
the two-pronged plug and socket.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Front view of the receiver of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid showing
the clear hard plastic ear mold that snapped onto the receiver's nubbin.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Side view of the receiver of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid with the
ear mold snapped onto the receiver.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid in its original case.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of the carrying case of the Zenith Model 50-X hearing aid.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
