Computer History Museum

Sonotone 1010 hearing aid

<p>Object is a small metal box. On the front face is a small grille and a spring clip to hold it in a pocket. On the top left corner is a three-position slide switch. On the top right is a plastic wheel (volume control?). The lower rear case swings up to reveal a battery compartment. The Sonotone 1010 is described in: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonotone_1010 It is also mentioned and depicted in: https://hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/General_Info/GenInfoTransBody/info/generalinfo-transistor-body.htm Material provided by the donor includes this text: "First commercial product using a transistor... Two Sonotone subminiature vacuum tubes, NPN grown junction transistor. Sonotone was unique among midcentury hearing aid manufacturers because this company manufactured the tubes and the actual hearing aids. All other major ... companies of the time... purchased the tubes from... suppliers such as Raytheon... Sonotone did not enter the transistor business ... using purchased transistors..."</p>

Sonotone 1010 hearing aid - Image 1
Sonotone 1010 hearing aid - Image 2
Sonotone 1010 hearing aid - Image 3

Item Details

Date
circa 1953 (Made)
Type
Physical Object
Catalogue number
102642929
Other identifying number
1010 (MODEL NUMBER)
305766 (SERIAL NUMBER)
Organization
Sonotone (Manufacturer)
Category
Physical Object
Credit line
Gift of Jack Ward and the Transistor Museum
Place of publication
USA/NY/New York
Weight
1 (lb)
Dimension
1 3/4w x 3h x 3/4l (in)
4.44w x 7.62h x 1.9l (cm)
Acquisition number
2023.0208