Maico Model G "Quiet Ear" Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid The Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid was produced by Maico Electronics, Inc. of Minneapolis, MN in 1949. The name "Maico" was derived from the initials of the Medical Acoustic Instrument Company. It was a 3 vacuum tube one piece model measuring 4⅜” by 2⅜" by 15/16” (11.2 x 6.1 x 2.4 cm). It weighed 4.9 oz. (140 g) without batteries. The case had a gold-colored plastic front with a gold-colored anodized aluminum back.
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| Front view of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the square microphone grill (upper center) just below the "Maico" name. On February 8, 1951 this hearing aid sold for $199.00 as shown on this invoice. Two months later, the Maico dealer went to visit the client as shown in this letter of April 19, 1951. Hearing aids at this time could be covered by private insurance for repair or replacement. Here is the Repair and Replacement Certificate for this hearing aid. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid microphone grill. The microphone grill consisted of an "X" with a shield in the center. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Top view of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the 3-position tone control (H-high, N-normal, L-low) on the left and the volume control/on-off switch on the right. The two-hole receiver cord jack is in the center. Note that there were actually 3 holes, but the right hole was filled with a plug as it was no longer needed.
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| The receiver cord plug and jacks of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid shown here unplugged revealing the long pins of the plug. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
View of the receiver cord plugged into the top of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid.
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| Bottom view of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the serial number beginning with a "G" indicating this was a "G" model. Earlier models—serial number in the 8000s did not have the serial number on the bottom, but written inside. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the whole back swung down to reveal the battery compartment. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Inside view of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing a Mallory RM-3 1.4 volt mercury "A" battery (center) and a Zenith Z-12-G 22½ volt "B" battery (bottom). This battery is equivalent to the Eveready model 412E battery which this aid also used. Back in 1953 the RM-3 battery sold for 48¢ and the Eveready 412E battery sold for $1.15 according to this invoice. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Front view of the receiver of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid. Around the rim are the numbers "060" (bottom left) and the letters "BO" (bottom right). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the receiver of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the Maico "M" in the center. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| View of the receiver and ear mold of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid shown unsnapped. The ear mold snapped on to the nubbin in the center of the receiver. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the receiver and receiver cord plug of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing them unplugged revealing the equal-sized plug pins. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid could be worn in a shirt pocket, on placed in this pouch that could be pinned to an undergarment. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the pouch of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the two safety pins (top and bottom) for attaching it to clothing. Typically, women would pin it to the front of their bra. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid showing how it fitted in the cloth pouch. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| View of the front cover of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid manual. You can read the whole manual in pdf format here. This 8-page manual covers how to use this hearing aid, how to change the batteries, how to wear it and how to care for it. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| View of the front cover of the "Your Guide to Hearing Happiness". Read "Your Guide to Hearing Happiness" in pdf format here. This 40-page Guide is quite a comprehensive booklet on hearing, hearing loss and wearing hearing aids. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid in its original case. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid in its original case with the "wings" folded back revealing their contents. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The left pocket of the case of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid contained spare "A" batteries (top) and 3 spare "B" batteries (lower half). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Outside view of the case of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid. The case measured 8⅝" x 5¾" x 1 15/16" (22.0 x 14.6 x 4.9 cm). |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The key to the lock on the case of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid. The key was still there after 65 years! |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The key in the lock of the case of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| The case of the Maico model G "Quiet Ear" vacuum tube hearing aid came in a paperboard box.
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| On the lid of the box someone had written instructions. These read: "Take batteries out when not using hearing aid." and "When putting batteries in, line up arrows on 'B' battery and bottom of hearing aid." |  | Click picture for larger view | | |
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