The record-union., 1899-08-06

another, and to catch a Subdued con-
versational utterance one would need
a different setting from that required
for brass band. The user, then, varies
the sensitiveness of his receiver very
much as one would focus his opera
glass at a theater. Upon the correct
adaptation OF the instrument to the
condition of the particular person who
employs tan easy matter, however,
the success of the experiment depends
largely.
Careful tests by oculsts have shown
that in most people the focal length of
the natural lenses of the right eye is
trifle longer, greater or less than that
Of the left. And certain kinds of opera
glasses permit the user to adjust each
eyepiece separately. In like manner
Mr.. Hutchinson provides for regulating
the two earpieces of his apparatus in
dependently, in order to secure the best
possible results.
The adjustability of the apparatus to
the requirements of different persons
explains in measure, perhaps, the
success that has attended the use of it
in many instances. The device has
not yet been put on the market, but
extensive tests have been made with it
in the Alabama Institute for the Deaf
and similar places. Private individ
uals, some of them prominent in the
business world, and more than one of
them living in New York City, declare
that the akouallion has helped them
greatly. There really seems to be
something to the claim that deafness is
a matter of degree and is seldom so ut
hoUnnd hoe
posed.
DR.. j. H. Johnson, Principal of the
Alabama Institute for the Deaf. in re-
ply to inquiries addressed to him by
the Tribune" says that he has not
been able to make all of his pupils hear
with the aid of the Hutchinson appar-
atus, but he hopes to utilize it in time
with about so per cent of them It
would not be his sole reliance. AS in
the past, it would be his policy to en-
ploy as largely as possible the prac-
tice of lip-reading also. But a direct
appeal to the sense Of hearing, as we'll
as to that of sight, would undoubtedly
be feasible in a large proportion of
cases. DR.. Johnson expresses himself
guardedly on some points. and his eau
ton and sense of responsibility for his
utterances add value to his opinion
that the akoulallion is "a distinct ad-
vance upon all other aids to imperfect
hearing"
To a Tribune" man Mr.. Hutchinson
said a few days ago:
when children are born deaf in
great many cases the ear is normal,
except that ordinary sound waves do
not affect the auditory apparatus They
are not loud enough, and hence, by
disuse, the organ becomes permanently
inactive. Here is a parallel case: Sup
pose the arm to be dashed securely to
the side for six or eight years; at the
end of that time it is useless and una
BILE to respond to the will. The mus
cles are limp and shapeless and in an
undeveloped state. But suppose that
arm is forcibly exercised by the good
arm little every day. It finally be-
comes almost as strong as the other
So it is with the deaf mute.
This instrument compels the audi
tory apparatus to operate, at first only
little, but eventually improving it
great deal. However, from the first
trial the person hears as we'll as he
ever can, but the sounds may convey
no meaning to him. No more can he
understand or differentiate sounds than
can an American citizen understand
German. You hear the sound of the
German talking, but it all sounds alike.
But suppose German teaches you
what these different sounds mean; then