The Audiphone.

The Audiphone is an instrument invented by Richard S. Rhodes, of Chicago. It is made of hard rubber, in the shape of a fan, and is intended to convey sounds to the auditory nerve through the medium of the teeth. The external ear has nothing whatever to do in hearing with the instrument, which is represented in Figs. 39, 40 and 41.

Fig. 39.

Fig. 40.

Fig. 41.

Much has been claimed by the public press for the merits of this instrument. As the number of people deprived of the function of hearing is very large, it is but natural that any page 33 promise of relief by any means obtainable by such afflicted, would receive their earnest attention and inquiries, and if found practical would be regarded by them as a great boon.

In order to test the merits of this instrument, I have put myself to quite considerable expense and inconvenience, and even delayed the issue of this book that I might give its readers correct and reliable information on the subject from, my personal knowledge, obtained by a careful and impartial test of the instrument in a number of cases at my office. These cases, it will be observed from their history, have been judiciously selected for this purpose, and the results are given as follows: