New-York tribune., 1901-02-11
1T H4KES THE DEAF HEAR.
AN INVENTION OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO
ALL WHOSE HEARING ORGANS
ARE IMPAIRED.

An apparatus for intensifying sound waves has
recently attracted considerable attention among
some OF the leading aural surgeons In this city and
in other places In this country. The intensifcation
IS produced by means of electrical conductors act
ing upon a sensitive diaphragm The device is ex-
pected 10 produce radical changes in the
methods OF instruction in the institutions for deaf
mutes.
Some highly interesting experiments were made
with this apparatus last Thursday in the labOra-
tory OF VI. r. Hutchison. the inventor OF the new
device for increasing and intensfying tie number
OF sound waves. at No. 42 East Twenteth-st. There
were present at the experiments. or rather demon
strations OF the practicability Of the invention
many well known physicians and surgeons. Among
them DR.. Emil Gruening. Of No. 10e East
Twenty -thrd-st. DR.. Gorham Bacon of No. AZ
West Fifty -foUrth-st, and Dr. Frederick Whiting
OF No Il West Fiftieth-st., all Of whom sur
geons OF the New-York Eye and Ear Infrmary. at
Thirteenth-st. and Second-ave AT the demonstra-
tions boys from the New-York Institution for
the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb at One
hundred and sixty third-st. and Broadway, who
had not heard the sound of human voice or the
strains Of music IN years. heard such joyful
sounds and one Of these boys has been deaf dumb
and blind from infancy II was reported yesterday
that this boy. though dumb. imperfectly formed
with his lips the simple words he heard by means
of the apparatus But this report denied by
one of the physicians who present. In speak
ing a Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon this
physician said:
This device is an Improvement of the speaking
tubes used by persons who suffer with deafness.
1t is a telephone apparatus. and it greatly multi
plies any sounds directed into II. IL has battery.
No claim is made that IL will convey sounds TO the
brain of any person whose aural organs de-
stroyed incapable OF receiving the impression of
sound waves. Such claim would be ridiculous
II the auraI organs totally impaired. per-
may be able 10 hear by the of the appa-
ratus. / think the device may bring about change
in the method of instruction at the schools for
deaf-m -mutes BY that mean that am of the Opin-
ion that by the OF the apparatus teachers In
those schools will explain the lessons in oral
manner 10 some OF the scholars Under such cir
cuInstanceS the education of of the deaf pu-
pills should he greatly improved.
This device for conveying sounds TO i'm
paired aural organs and impressing them the
brain cells is made in various sizes For class in
5tructiOn large instrument has been devised Ii
somewhat resembles a telephone apparatus. with
many receiving attachments 70 place the head
ordinary tones into a transmitter. make himself
heard by the wearers of the headpieces The in
tensity of the sound waves be increased or de-
creased the will of the instructor by turning
or shutting off the current from the battery An
apparatus for carrying about has also been made.
and il is perfect the larger one, and per-
forms a similar service. IL has a transmitter and
receiver. and the current is supplied by "A pocket
battery.
Mr. Hutchisou. the inventor. has a friend who
has been deaf for many years. This friendship led
him 10 turn his talents In the direction OF allie
Waiting the msfortunes of the deaf. His apparatus
has been used with gratifying results at the New
York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf
and Dumb