Dahlberg Model D-10 "Magic Ear Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid The Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid was manufactured by The Dahlberg Co. of Minneapolis, MN beginning in February, 1956. This was Dahlberg's first behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. It contained three transistors. Most behind-the-ear aids at this time had external receivers, just like body aids had. The body of the hearing aid was 1⅝" x 11/16" x 7/16" (4.2 x 1.7 x 1.2 cm) and weighed 0.4 oz. (12 g) without battery or ear mold. |  | Click picture for larger view | | |  | | |
| Front and side view of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" behind-the-ear hearing aid. At this point, the aid was just a rectangular box—not curved to fit behind the ear as later models were. Also note that there weren't any controls at all on this hearing aid—no volume control and no on-off switch. You had to open the battery door to turn it off.
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| Front view of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid showing the star-burst design on a silver-colored backgrounder center). With the design of this hearing aid, it could be worn on either ear with the appropriate ear mold.
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| Close-up view of the front of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid showing the microphone port (the hole covered by a grill in the center of the star-burst).
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| Rear view of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid showing the Dahlberg name (left) and the model "Magic Ear" below it. The serial number (28637) is on the right. The battery door comprised the left half of the back (under the Dahlberg name).
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| Close-up view of the battery compartment of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid with the battery door opened. This hearing aid took a No. 400 mercury battery such as this Eveready No. E400E battery.
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| The receiver of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid was tiny compared to the receivers in use at this time. It only measured 7/16" in diameter and was 7/16" thick (1.2 x 1.1 cm). Instead of plugging into the side of the receiver, the receiver cord plugged into a recessed jack on the top.
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| The receiver of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid (left) was much smaller than the ear mold that snapped on to it. Just like with body hearing aids, the ear mold snapped onto the nubbin in the center of the receiver (shown here separated).
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| Rear view of the receiver with the ear mold attached.
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| Side view of the receiver and ear mold of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid showing how the ear mold dwarfed the tiny receiver.
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| The Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" behind-the-ear hearing aid in its case. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Outside view of the case of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" behind-the-ear hearing aid. This case measured 2 15/16" x 2 5/16" x 1 5/16" (7.5 x 5.6 x 3.0 cm). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| This protective box slid on the outside of the case of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" behind-the-ear hearing aid. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Note that this is not the original box for the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" behind-the-ear hearing aid. This box was for the previous model, the Dahlberg D-9 "Admiral" behind-the-ear hearing aid that came out in 1955.
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| Outside view of the Dahlberg Model D10 "Magic Ear" hearing aid box.
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