Automatic "Super Power" Vacuum Tube Hearing Aid
The "Automatic" vacuum tube hearing aid was
manufactured by an unnamed US company around 1947 (unless "Automatic"
was the name of the company).
This attractive hearing aid sported a shiny aluminum front with a
black metal back.
Without the batteries, it weighed 3.8 oz. (108 g). It measured 5⅛" x
2˝" x ⅞" thick (13.0 x 6.3 x 2.2 cm).
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Top view of the Automatic "Super Power" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the volume control
wheel (left), the two-pronged receiver cord jack (center) and the on-off/3-position
tone control wheel (right).
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The Automatic "Super Power" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the
body of the aid. The receiver, receiver cord and ear mold are missing. |
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Front view of the Automatic "Super Power" vacuum tube
hearing aid showing the name on the font and above that the three
vertical slots of the microphone grill. Note the two pocket clips on
the sides. |
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Rear view of the Automatic "Super Power" vacuum tube hearing aid showing
the
hinged battery door, which comprised the bottom half of the case.
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Close-up of the upper back of the Automatic "Super Power" vacuum tube
hearing aid faintly showing the words "Super" and "Power" in a circle.
Apart from the "Automatic" on the front, these are the only words that
might help identify the make and model of this hearing aid.
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Inside view of the electronics of the Automatic "Super Power"
vacuum tube hearing aid showing the 3 vacuum tubes it used. |
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Close-up of two of the tubes used in the Automatic "Super
Power" vacuum tube hearing aid. The upper tube is a Raytheon CK533AX
tube, and the lower one (there are two of the same type) is a Raytheon
CK534AX.
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Side view of the Automatic "Super Power" vacuum tube hearing aid.
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Close-up of the inside of the battery compartment of the Automatic
"Super Power" vacuum tube hearing aid showing the "B" battery position
(left) and the smaller "A" battery position (right). The arrows show the
direction of the positive terminals of the batteries.
This hearing aid took a 30-volt "B" battery such as the
Eveready B123. The "A" battery was the
Eveready 1016E double 1˝-volt battery.
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View of the battery compartment of the Automatic "Super Power" vacuum
tube hearing aid showing how the battery compartment lid swung downwards
to open.
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Close-up of the inside of the lid of the Automatic "Super Power"
vacuum tube hearing aid showing the decal that read, "Accepted" and
"Council on Physical Medicine" and "American Medical Association".
Under the crest are the words, "Place batteries as indicated. Turn
off when not in use. If battery leaks, corrosion must be removed from
terminals. Consult your hearing aid specialist."
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