Beltone Mono-pac Model R "Rhapsody" Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid The Beltone Mono-pac Model R "Rhapsody" vacuum tube one-piece hearing aid was produced by the Beltone Electronics Corp. of Chicago, IL in 1952. It measured 3⅛” by 1¾” by ⅞” and weighed 4½ oz including the batteries. It used 3 vacuum tubes. The case was chrome front and back over a black (or wine-colored) plastic chassis—visible on all sides. Pocket clip is on the front in the center. The microphone grill (top right corner) is in the shape of a lyre—the same design as used on the Model L. |  | Click picture for larger view | | |  | | | |
| Top view of the Beltone Mono-pac Model R showing the 2-position tone control (labeled on the back as "1" and "2") (center) and the receiver cord jack (left). Also, note the mic/tel switch on the front left corner indicating this aid had a built-in t-coil. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Not all the Beltone Model R "Rhapsody" hearing aids had t-coils. This one didn't. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The Beltone Rhapsody was still selling for $215.00 in July of 1953 at the time when vacuum tube aids had just become obsolete. Click here to read this invoice as a pdf (easier to read). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| View of the left side of the Model R showing the volume control/on-off switch. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the Model R showing the make and model engraved in the case "Beltone MONO-PAC Model R". Note the green dot on the left side above the hinge. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| View of the battery compartment of the Beltone Mono-pac Model L showing the batteries in place. The "A" battery (center) is an RM-1 1.4 volt mercury battery, while the "B" battery is a 30 volt No. 506 E. Note that in the above invoice, this hearing aid came with only one No. 506 E "B" battery, but with 8 RM-1 "A" batteries because the "A" batteries didn't last near as long as the "B" battery. The battery compartment door is hinged at the top and swings upward. The Model R is much the same as the Model L except for the larger battery compartment which necessitated a longer case. This 30 volt battery would produce more power than the 15 volt battery used in the Model L—so the Model R is likely a higher powered version of the Model L. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The Beltone Mono-pac Model R "Rhapsody" in its original case. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Outside view of the original case of the Beltone Mono-pac Model R.
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