An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Restoring or Augmenting the Hearing.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Restoring or Augmenting
the Hearing.
I, CORNELIUS BENNETT HARNESS, of The Medical Battery Company,
Limited, 52, Oxford Street, in the County of London, Consulting Electrician,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :--
This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for restoring or
augmenting the sense of hearing.
It has been ascertained that, in many cases of maladies of the ear, rythmical
sonorous vibrations such, for example, as are produced by the motion of a railway-
train, omnibus or the like, augment and even re-establish or restore the auditory
faculty. For instance, persons who, under ordinary conditions, are somewhat deaf
or hard of hearing, can hear conversation much more readily when travelling in a
railway-carriage or other vehicle.
The present invention comprises a method of restoring or augmenting the hearing,
which method is based upon this discovery, and consists in producing rythmical
sonorous vibrations within the ear by means of a device or apparatus inserted
therein and capable of fulfilling all the desired conditions.
In carrying the said method into effect, I employ an apparatus comprising a tube
or casing adapted to fit into the ear in such a manner that it will be retained
therein, and I arrange within the said tube or casing a vibrating spring, trembler
or "vibrator" of minute dimensions and means whereby the said vibrator will be
automatically operated.
I find it advantageous to operate this automatic "vibrator" by means of
electricity. For this purpose, I employ an induction-coil having a soft iron core
and combined with the vibrator in such a manner that the latter, being alternately
attracted and released by the core of the said induction-coil, will alternately make
and break the electric circuit.
My automatic "vibrator" will be of great service to persons afflicted with
deafness or difficulty of hearing, and can be used without giving an unsightly
appearance to the wearer.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown a convenient and advantageous form
of my apparatus.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the said apparatus.
Figure 2 is a similar view drawn to an enlarged scale.
a is a tube or casing of celluloid or other suitable material, having an external
form corresponding more or less to the shape or configuration of the canal or
external auditory meatus of the ear, and containing the trembler or vibrator b
and the induction-coil c, which is provided with a core d of soft iron. The
vibrator & consists of a plate or spring of platinum or of other suitable material
tipped with platinum.
The said vibrator has attached to its free end, a small block or armature e of
soft iron. is a contact-piece against which bears the vibrator b. The vibrator is
arranged to be alternately attracted and released by the core d of the induction-
coil in a well-known manner, the electric circuit being alternately opened and
closed by the movement of the vibrator away from and back to the contact-piece f.
g is the support for the vibrating plate or spring and serves also as the terminal
for connection with one of the wires or conductors from the source of electricity.
The source of electricity may consist of a small portable battery designed to be
placed in the pocket or in the hat of the patient, or to be otherwise carried upon

page_text: the person of the patient. This battery is provided with a small switch whereby
the patient can close and interrupt the circuit at will, and thus put the vibrator
into and out of action. A very sm: Il battery-power being required to work the
vibrator, very fine wires or condutors can be used; and, as the apparatus is
introduced into the car, the said app ratus and its connections, when in place, will
be scarcely visible and will, therefore, not attract attention to the patient's
infirmity.
Moreover the noise produced by the vibrator will be very slight, and will yet
have the desired effect, the said vibrator being in close proximity to the drum of
the ear.
I do not confine myself to any special construction of the vibrator and the means
for operating the same, as it is obvious that such construction may be somewhat
modified without departing from the nature of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First. The method of restoring or augmenting the hearing, by producing
rythmical sonorous vibrations within the ear by means of a device or apparatus
inserted therein, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The improved device or apparatus adapted for insertion in the ear and
comprising a trembler or " vibrator and means for operating the same substan-
tially as hereinbefore described for the purpose specified.
Dated the 9th dar
2001
C. B. HARNESS.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
C. B. HARNESS.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.