Morris tribune., 1880-04-08
FOR THE DEAF.
THE WONDERFUL AUDIPHONE.

A Chicago Invention Coming to the Thorough
and Permanent Relief Of the Deaf Mutes Of
the WOrld---Visit Of the Inventor, Mr. r.
3. Rhodes, to the Deaf and Dumb Institute
OF Nebraska---GraphiC Report Of the Trial
and Its Singularly Gratifying Results.
from the Omaha Daily Republican,
A representative of the Republican on
invitation made visit to the Nebraska
Asylum for Deaf Mutes to witness the
trial of the Audiphone, an invention by
II. SlRhOdes of Chicago, and says: Arriv-
ing at the institution the reporter found
MIR: Rhodes giving an aud1phone lesson
to hfteen deat-mutes, who were assem-
bled in the parlor. Each pupil was using
audiphone with results that were GER
tainly astonishing.
One young man told the reporter that
until yesterday he had never heard a
sound, but could read and write we'll.
With this instrument he pronounced the
letters of the alphabet plainly, and we
venture to say in a very few months he
will be able to talk well. The first trouble
seems to be in the use OF the tongue and
Miss Collins, of Falls City, tried the in
strument and could hear well, but not
her own voice, but when she was handed
the double audiphone, where the two
discs with their lower edges united caused
her to hear her own voice for the first
time. Words cannot express her aston
isAment. And all this is through the au-
ditory nerve with a connection of the
teeth. The carbonized disc of rubber,
like a fan, is held between the teeth, and
the external ear has nothing to do with
the sound.
After the experiments by DR.. Rhodes
Prof. Gillespie, who has perhaps given
more attention to the oral instructions of
the deaf and dumb than any other teach
er in the west, took the class in hand. It
is well known that persons afflicted with
deafness watch the lips. To prevent this
lip reading the professor held book
before his mouth and told the pupils
who were standing with the audiphone
between their teeth, to indicate how
many times he said co." either once
or twice, and one Or two fingers came
up from the whole class as lie called
the letter.
He then went over the scale rising an
octave, and each pupil singly followed
intonatlon of his voice. He then went to
the other side of the room, out of their
sight and called out letters and words
which were promptly repeated, and all
this was done with only two days. in.
struction. The great success of opening
a world, a new world as it may be truth:
fully said, TO these deaf mutes in grand
work, and to stand among these intelli.
gent faces, who before never heard voice
or sound, and see the pleasure exhibited
at the prospect of hearing and speaking
is better entertainment than the world OF
fashion can offer.
Amongst the bright scholars are two
sisters from Furnas county, who seemed
so apt to learn the use of the audiphone
and Mrs. Grundy might straighten back
when we say that they are Indians. Yes
two girls whose color would not indicate
the fact, but whose future will demon.
tstrate two women educated at this in.
stitution such as the world wants. State
institutions should be placed in the
hands of men who will look at the future
of those in their charge, and this great
western field for active labor of brains anc
muscle is open. A great man once said
'Nature is true to herself" and so it ha.
proved with those who have no chance tt
hear the singing Of birds or the voices O.
the winds among her pines. A keene1
perception, a deeper thought, a realiza
ton of natures works is ali within thu
minds of the deaf and dumb. Thi
great invention opens up new world tt
them.
| Mr.. Rhodes was so much pleased will
the successful operation of his invention
and the practical results to be attained
under the instruction of Prof. Gillespie
who is so earnest in the work-that b,
made donation of the audiphones need
ed for the use of the institution, charg
ing the professor to let the pupils tax,
them home during vacation and astonisl
father and mother by showing them tina
they could both hear and talk.
Mr.. Rhodes, who uses an audiphone
himself, says that holding watch be.
tween his teeth first attracted his atten
tion to the possibility of the audiphone,
which is proving so great success.
We don't propose to speak OF the man
agement of the institution, the good fooc
furnished the pupils, the instruction Civ
en- by skilled teachers, the cleanliness
and pleasant appearance of the buildings
or the complete order and we may sa,
happiness which seems to prevail, but W,
say, do your duty with pleasure com
bined, and go and see tor yourself. MI
Rhodes on this, his first visit to Omaha
speaks loudly in its favor.