AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR TREATING THE EAR AND FACILITATING HEARING
Year: 1885

page_text: t
Hearing.
I, EDWARD SPAULDING, of 43 Exchange Place, in the City and State of New
York, in the United States of America, but at present resident of Cobden Hotel,
Birmingham, England, Machinist and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for "AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR TREATING THE EAR AND
FACILITATING HEARING "to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a small trumpet shaped appliance of tin, silver or other
suitable metal or material, and so constructed to fit within the ear when in use
that sound is communicated directly to the drum of the ear through the trumpét
mouth by means of a tapered wire spiral which is formed upon the back or end of
the trumpet and extends to some distance within the ear to the drum thereof. The
trumpet is provided with a wire or tongue that extends from point or inner end of
the spiral through the centre of the trumpet to the outside thereof, and is vibrated
by the slightest sound, and communicates that sound directly to the drum of the
ear; the said wire or tongue together with the wire spiral being preferably
magnetized.
The appliance also serves as a means of applying electricity to the drum of the
ear, when the tongue is connected with an electric battery. The tongue may also
be applied to other instruments for the purpose of applying electricity to the ear.
The wire spiral or spring being flexible, when pressed into the ear, holds the
trumpet in position by a slight friction on the circumference of the outer orifice of
the ear.
The wire spiral may also be used separately, without the trumpet mouth,
when so desired so as to form a flexible magnet by itself. By the use of the spiral
spring the pressure exercised by the trumpet on the inner part of the ear may be
regulated to any desired degree.
Pads of cotton wool or other suitable material may be placed on the inner end
of the spiral.
The appliance when in the ear is wholly out of sight, and causes no annoyance
to the wearer, but allows a free circulation of air in the ear, and greatly assists
persons of ordinary hearing in large halls and churches.
Santambo Ond 1005
EDWP SPAULDING.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance for Treating the Ear and Facilitating
Hearing.
I, EDWARD SPAULDING of 43 Exchange Place, in the City and State of New
York, in the United States of America, but at present resident of Cobden Hotel,
Birmingham England, Machinist and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for "AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR TREATING THE EAR AND
FACILITATING HEARING and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My Invention consists of a trumpet shaped appliance of tin, silver or other
suitable metal or material, and is so constructed to fit within the orifice of the ear
that sound is communicated to the drum of the ear through the trumpet mouth
by means of a spiral of wire preferably tapered towards the drum of the ear and
which is formed upon the inner end of the bell or trumpet of the appliance,
the said spiral extending to some distance within the ear to the drum thereof.
The bell or trumpet is provided with a wire or tongue which is preferably a
continuation from the tapered end of the said wire spiral and which extends from
the said end of the spiral through the centre of the appliance to the outside of the
bell or trumpet mouth thereof and is vibrated by sound and communicates sound
to the drum of the ear; the said wire or tongue together with the wire spiral being
preferably magnetized. L
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will now proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figures 1 and 2, of the accompanying sheet of drawings are elevations upon an
enlarged scale of the appliance constructed in accordance with my said Invention.
Figure 3, is a sectional elevation and Figure 4, is a plan of the same.
The bell or sounding plate A, of the appliance has secured within it the tubular
portion a, and between the said portion and the bell A, is fixed the one end of the
wire spiral B. The said spiral is preferably of a tapered form as shewn and has
preferably wound round its extremity a few coils of woolen thread or other soft
material b, so as to prevent the end of the spiral hurting the drum of the ear, and
to render the use of the appliance more comfortable; the soft pad may also be
utilized for the application of any medical remedies. Through the centre of the
appliance projects the wire or tongue b¹, which is preferably the same wire as that
forming the spiral, being a continuation from the extremity of the said spiral, the
said tongue connecting the extremity of the spiral with the front of the bell A,
'As shewn more particularly in Figure 1, the bell A, is preferably formed with
a recessed portion a¹, to fit the usual formation of the ear.
The said appliance also serves as a means of applying electricity to the drum of
the ear, when the tongue b³, is connected with an electric battery. The tongue
may also be applied to other instruments for the purpose of applying electricity to
the ear.
The wire spiral being flexible, when pressed into the ear holds the bell in position
by a slight friction on the circumference of the outer orifice of the ear. The wire

page_text: spiral may also be used separately without the trumpet mouth, when so desired so
as to form a flexible magnet by itself. By the use of the spiral spring the pressure
exercised by the bell A, on the inner part of the ear may be regulated to any
desired degree.
The appliance may be made in different sizes to suit the ear but the length and
diameter should be made just to fit the aperture of the ear and to be out of sight
when in use.
The appliance allows a free circulation of 'air within the ear and greatly assists
persons of ordinary hearing in large halls and in other places.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and
in what manner the same is to be preformed I declare that what I claim is
First. The appliance for treating the ear and facilitating hearing consisting of
the wire spiral B, and tongue 61, in combination with the bell or trumpet piece A,
and with or without connection of the tongue 61, with an electric battery or other
electric generator substantially as herein before described.
Second. The wire spiral B, and tongue b¹, as a flexible magnet substantially as
and for the purposes herein before described.