Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1] Transistor (Body) Hearing Aid
The Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1]transistor hearing aid was manufactured by the
Hearing Aid Division of the Zenith Radio Corp. beginning in June, 1956.
It was a 4-transistor aid.
The Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1] hearing aid 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 had a shiny, polished aluminum case.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
 
|
| |
|
|
Front view of the Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1] 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.
For some reason, Zenith did not designate this version as a
sub-model of the 50-X hearing aid although it had several significant changes—namely—the case
was polished aluminum case, it had a 4-transistor amplifier, and
it had a tone control.
The Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1] sold for
$50.00. |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of the Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1] hearing aid showing the
"no numbers" volume
control (left), the receiver cord jack (center) and the rather unusual
2-position (high or low) tone control/on-off switch (right).
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Top view of the Zenith Model 50-X [Mod 1] hearing aid showing the
2-pronged receiver cord plug and jack.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Side view of the Zenith 50-X [Mod 1] 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 [Mod 1] hearing aid. Engraved into the back
it reads "Zenith", "50-X" and "the royalty of hearing".
At the top left is engraved "LOUDER" and at the top right "HIGH, LOW &
OFF".
Note the serial number (1206512) in the center of the battery
compartment door (bottom). |
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
View of the battery compartment of the Zenith 50-X [Mod 1] 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 [Mod
1]hearing aid showing the battery in place. The Zenith
Model 50-X [Mod 1] took an "N" size 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 [Mod 1] 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 [Mod 1] 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 [Mod 1] 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 [Mod 1] hearing aid with the
receiver snapped on to the receiver.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
