An Improved Electric Apparatus for Treating Deafness.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Apr., 1892-Accepted. 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric Apparatus for Treating Deafness.
I WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn and Son of 151 Strand in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
a communication to me from George Francis Webb of 156 Main Street Ashtabula
in the State of Ohio United States of America Inventor to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to an improved electric apparatus for treating deafness
and it consists of a device for the purpose of applying a current of electricity to
the ear by the use of which if the drum of the ear is uninjured the patient may be
speedily and effectively cured.
My apparatus consists of a belt which is worn round the waist of the patient and
an electrode supported upon the said belt the said electrode being placed next to
the skin of the patient and thus forming contact with the body. A cap which
forms the other electrode is adapted to be fitted over the affected ear of the patient
the said cap being provided with a suitable opening at one side thereof to receive
the car.
The said electrodes are respectively connected to the poles of the battery which
may consist of a number of elements supported by the waist-belt and connected in
the usual manner.
Dated this 28th dox of Tule. 1901
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric Apparatus for Treating Deafness.
I, WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn & Son of 151 Strand in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
a communication to me from George Francis Webb of 156 Main Street, Ashtabula,
State of Ohio United States of America Inventor and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in an apparatus for treating deafness; and
the object of my invention is to produce a simple and efficient device which may be
constantly used to remove the source of deafness, which may be easily applied, and
which, while serving as a remedy, also enables the patient to hear distinctly.
To this end my invention consists in an apparatus which will be hereinafter
described and claimed.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the views.
Figure 1. shows an apparatus applied to a patient and how it is used when con-
versation is to be carried on with another person.
.
Figure 2. is a detail front view of the electrode, which is worn at the stomach.
Figure 3. is a vertical cross-section of the same.
Figure 4. is a detail side elevation of the ear-electrode, &
Figure 5. is a vertical cross-section of the same.
In carrying out my invention it is necessary to have a suitable galvanic battery,
and a battery which may be worn upon the body is preferably employed as it is
much more convenient. A belt 10 is provided, which belt is worn about the waist,

page_text: and the belt carries body-batteries 11, one or more being used as desired. One
pole of one or both batteries is connected by means of a wire 12 to an electrode 13,
the connection between the wire and the electrode being made by snapping the
hook 14, which is secured to the wire, into a perforation 15 in the lower end of the
electrode, although any suitable connection may be made. The electrode 13 is
shaped approximately like a human ear, is provided with an opening 16 on one side,
so that it may be conveniently placed upon the ear, and it is doubled over around
the opening, as shown at 17, so that when placed upon the ear it will easily
maintain its position. The electrode is preferably made of silver, that being a good
conductor and not likely to injure the ear. The opposite pole of one or both
batteries connects by a wire 18 with an electrode 19, the connection being made by
snapping the hook 14 of the wire into an opening 21 formed in the electrode 19.
While the disease is being treated, the electrode 19 is worn at the stomach and is
supported upon the belt. The electrode 19 is preferably made of two convex
circular pieces 20, which are united at the edges, so that the electrode will have
opposite convex sides. The circuit will then be from the battery 11 through the
wire 12, the electrode 13, the body of the patient, the electrode 19 and the wire 18
to the battery. The battery is adjusted so that a mild current will be kept flowing
through the ear, and as a result the deafness will be either cured or greatly
relieved.
When this apparatus is worn the clothing of the person is arranged so that the
stomach-electrode may be easily removed; and if the patient desires to carry on
the conversation he removes the stomach-electrode, and the person with whom he
is to converse takes it in one hand and with the other hand clasps the hand of
the patient. The circuit will then be from the battery through the wire 12,
the electrode 13, the two persons, the electrode 19, and the wire 18 back to the
battery.
In practice it is found that when the circuit is closed through the two persons in
this manner and through the organ of the ear that even though the conversation is
carried on in a low tone the deaf person can hear distinctly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a battery, a belt, an
. electrode supported on the belt and contacting with a person, an electrode shaped
to fit the ear and connections between the electrodes and the battery, substantially
as described.
2. In an apparatus of the character described, the electrode 13, shaped to rest
upon an ear and having an opening in one side to receive the ear, substantially as
described.
Dated this 28th day of April 1892
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.