The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-04-08
FOR THE DEAF.
THE WONDERFUL AUDIPHONE.

THE WONDERFUL AUDIPHONE.
Chicago Invention Coming to tho Thorough
and Permanent Relief Of the Deaf Mutes Of
the World---Visit Of tho Inventor, Mr.. r.
| 5. Rhodes, to tho Deaf and Dunb Institute
Of fNebraska---Graphic Report Of tho Trial
and its Singu]arly 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 Audiphonc, an invention by
Il. Rhodes Of Chicago, and says: Arriv-
ing at the institution the reporter found
Mr.. Rhodes giving an audlphone lesson
| to fifteen deat-mutcs, 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 very few months he
will be able to talk we'll The first trouble
seems to be in the use OF the tongue and
lips to make sounds never heard before.
Miss Collins. of Falls City, tried the in
strument and could hear we'll, but not
her own voice, but when she was handed
| the double audiphonc, 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 q 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
Prot. 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 "O,'' either once
or twice, and one or two fingers came
up from the whole class as he called
the letter.
He then went over the scale rising an
octave, and each pupil singly followed
intonat1on 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
s;ruction. 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
strate 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 and
muscle is open. A great man once said,
Mature is true to herself" and SO it has
proved with those who have no chance to
hear the singing of birds or the voices of
the winds among her pines. A keener
perception, a deeper thought, a realiza-
ton of natures works is all within the
minds of the deaf and dumb. This
! g Greet invention opens up new world to
| them.
and the practical results to be attained
under the instruction Of Prof: Gillespie
who is SO earnest in the work-t6at he
made donation Of the audiphones need.
ed tor the use of the institution, charg-
ing the professor to let the pupils take
them home during vacation and astonish
father and mother by showing them that
| they could both hear and talk.
Mr.. Rhodes, who uses an audiphonc
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 food
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 say
happiness which seems to prevail, but VIC
say, do your duty with pleasure COM
bined, and 60 and see tor yourself. Mr..
Rhodes on this, his first visit to Omaha,
speaks loudly in its favor.