Concealed Hearing Devices of the 20th Century (Part 5)

DEAFNESS IN DISGUISE

Part 5

Concealed Hearing Devices of the 20th Century

In the 1950s, many men and women would not dream of leaving the house without being smartly attired with several items of ornamental jewelry. In this era, hearing aid earpieces were often disguised as earrings, microphones made to resemble brooches or tie clips, and cords concealed within women's necklaces.

All is Vanity

He wears a hat with a hard tight rim,
But a hearing aid headband? Not for him!
Her earrings pinch and they're as big as dollars,
But a tiny ear piece? "No!" she hollers.
His pockets bulge with horrid litter,
He hasn't room for a small transmitter.
She squints and scowls with the strain she brooks,
But she's sure that an aid would "spoil her looks."
Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.
And vain is aid for vain humanity.
-Gene Ellinger, 1949

Hearing aid ad © Courtesy of Sonotone

"Smartly worn" hearing aids and devices with cosmetic appeal were marketed during the mid 20th century. Manufacturers claimed that their devices were virtually unnoticeable, discreet, or invisible and that" no one will know you are deaf." Hearing devices were becoming smaller, their batteries were smaller and lasted longer, and their power was increasing.

Beltone hearing aid ad © Courtesy of Beltone Electronics Corporation.

Hal-Hen Pearl Hearing Aid Cord Necklace
The Hal-Hen pearl hearing aid necklace as modeled by the creator's wife, was designed to camouflage the hearing aid cord.