TIED IE 
AUDIFHOIffE 
wew xisrvnEijxrTxoixr 
THAT ENABLES 
cmTHB X> 18-A. F* 
TO HEAR THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THE TEETH, AND THE 
DEAF AND DUMB TO -HEAR AND LEARN TO SPEAK. 
A Class of Deaf Mutes Listening to Musicfor the First Time, by aid of the Audiphone. (See page 22.) 
(From Frank Let lie's Illustrated Newspaper, Dec. 13, 1879.) 
Invented by EICHAED S. EHODES, Chicago, 111. 
SOLD ONLY BY 
RHODES & McOLURE 
Methodist Church Block, Chicago. 
18SOP THE AUDIPHONEI 
Patented throughout the Civilized World. 
Is* 3R. X CS. 
m 
Conversational, plain, - $lO 
Conversational, ornamental, $l5, $25, and $5O 
Double Audiphone, - - - - $l5 
(According to Decoration.) 
(For Deaf Mutes, enabling them to hear their own voice.) 
SENT BY MAIL OR EXPRESS TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD ON 
RECEIPT OF PRICE. 
ADDRESS, 
RHODES & McCLURE, Methodist Church Block, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
R. S. RHODES. 
J. B. McCIiURE. 
CONTENTS. 
Tiie Audiphone—What it is and How it Works 3 
PAGE; 
Historical—Origin of the Audiphone 8 
Audiphone in Chicago 10 
Audiphone Exhibition in Hew York 18 
Audiphone in the Deaf and Dumb Institute at Fordham, N. Y 25 
Audiphone Exhibition in Philadelphia , 27 
Audiphone Among the Doctors 32 
Press Commendations 38 
Personal Commendations 45, THE AODIPHONE. 
GOOD NEWS FOR THE DEAF. 
An Instrument that Enables Deaf Persons to Hear Ordinary Con- 
versation Readily Through the Medium of the Teeth, and 
those Born Deaf and Dumb to Hear and Learn 
to Speak. How it is Done, Etc. 
The Audiphone is a new instrument made of a peculiar 
composition, possessing the property of gathering the faint- 
est sounds (somewhat similar to a telephone diaphragm), 
and conveying them to the auditory nerve, through the 
medium of the teeth. The external ear has nothing what- 
ever to do in hearing with this wonderful instrument. 
It is made in the shape of a fan, and can be used as such, 
if desired. (See fig. 1, page 4.) 
When adjusted for hearing, it is in suitable tension and 
the upper edge is pressed slightly against one or more of 
the upper teeth. (See figs. 2 and 3, pp. 4 and 5.) 
Ordinary conversation can be heard with ease. In most 
cases deafness is not detected, it being generally supposed, 
as is the experience of the inventor, that the party deaf, is 
simply amusing himself with the fan. 
The instrument also greatly facilitates conversation by 
softening the voice of the person using it, enabling—even 
in cases of mutes—the deaf party to hear his own words 
distinctly. 4 
THE AUDI PHONE 
Those Born Deaf can Hear, and the Dumb are enabled to Learn 
Mutes, by using the Audiphone according to the direc- 
tions on page 6, can hear their own voice and readily learn 
to speak. 
to Speak. 
DIRECTIONS FOR USE. 
Fig. 1 represents the natural position 
of the Audiphone, in which position 
it is carried (by gentlemen) by attach- 
ing it by means of a hook or button to 
the vest or inside of the coat, where 
it will be convenient for use and fully 
concealed. The shape and flexibility of 
the disc render the Audiphone an excellent 
fan. 
Fig. I. The Audiphone 
in its natural position; 
used as a fan. 
Fig. 2 represents the Andiphone in ten- 
sion and ready for hearing. It is put in this 
position by means of the silken cords which 
are attached to the disc, and which pass 
down as a single cord under the “ wedge ” 
in the handle. By opening the wedge (as 
seen in Fig. 3) the cord, which now moves 
freely, should be drawn down until the disc 
is brought to the proper tension (as seen in 
Fig. 2) when the wedge is closed and the in- 
strument is held in the position required. 
Experience will regulate the exact tension needed for each 
person, and also the tension necessary for different voices, 
music, distant speaking, etc. In this respect the Andiphone 
is adjusted to suit sound as an opera glass is adjusted to 
.suit distance. 
Tig. 2. The Audiphonc 
in tension ; the proper 
postion for hearing. FOR IHE DEAF. 
5 
Fig. 3 represents the position in which 
the Audiphone should be held for hearing. 
It should be held loosely in the hand and its 
upper edge should be placed in easy contact, 
by a slight pressure, against one or more 
of the upper teeth, that are the most con- 
venient. In many instances the k‘ eye teeth ” 
give the best results, but a little practice 
will soon determine the best for hearing. 
The lower teeth should not come in contact 
with the Audiphone, nor should the 
Audiphone be pressed beyond the point 
of tension at which it has been adjusted, as 
seen in Fig. 2 
Fig. 3. The Audiphone 
properly adjusted to the 
upper teeth; ready for 
use. (Side view.) 
NOTE. 
A Word Concerning the Very Deaf—False Teeth—And those 
Using Ear Trumpets. 
Persons who have been very deaf for many years, and 
who are accustomed, wholly or in part, to interpret 
sound by the movement of the lips of the party speak- 
ing, may not readily distinguish the words of the speaker 
when first using the audiphone, though the sound of 
these words will be distinctly heard. In all such cases a 
little practice will be required to enable a deaf party to rely 
wholly upon sound. Such persons should request a friend 
to read aloud while they (the listener) should carefully ob- 
serve the words (as spoken) in a duplicate book or paper. 
When this is properly done the deaf person will be sur- 
prised with what distinctness every word is heard by the 
use of the audiphone. In this way they educate themselves 6 
THE AUDI PHONE 
to articulate sounds, and soon learn to hear well without 
observing the movements of the lips. 
Persons having false teeth, if they fit firmly, can, not- 
withstanding, use the Audiphone successfully. 
It should be further noted, that persons using such in- 
struments as ear trumpets, etc., which in all cases increase 
the deafness by concentrating an unnatural force and 
volume of sound upon the impaired organ, should at once 
lay aside all such devices on receiving the Audiphone. 
Such persons, thus accustomed to the unnatural sound, 
through the ear trumpet, will require some practice to again 
familiarize themselves with the natural sound of the human 
voice which, the Audiphone always conveys. 
TO LEAEN TO SPEAK. 
Mutes will learn to speak bj bolding the Audi phone 
against the teeth, as above directed, and practice speaking 
while it is in this position. 
A good exercise is for the mute, at first, to put one hand 
on the instructor’s throat, watch the motion of his lips, 
while his other hand is on his own throat, the instructor 
meantime holding the Audiphone to the mute’s teeth. The 
mute will feel the influence of the sound on his hand in 
the instructor’s throat, imitate it in his own throat, will 
hear the speaker’s voice on the Audiphone and will be aided 
in imitating the speaker by seeing his lips, and will also 
hear his own voice on the Audiphone, and readily learn to 
speak. 
It is remarkable how rapidly they learn to distinguish 
words by sound. In a very short time, they have learned 
to repeat whole sentences spoken to them while blindfolded. 
It is believed that every mute child may hear and learn to 
speak by using the Audiphone. FOR THE DEAF. 
7 
It must be borne in mind, however, that a mute who has 
never heard has no conception of the meaning of the sim- 
plest words. Even though he be very intelligent and highly 
educated, read and write fluently, and interpret language 
readily by the motion of the speaker’s lips, still he will not 
understand the most elementary sound until he is taught. 
He is familiar with visible, but knows nothing of articulate, 
language. At first, if you ask him to intimate whether or 
not he hears by means of the Audiphone, he may indicate 
that he feels a peculiar sensation that is new to him. It 
will not be long, however, until he realizes that what seemed 
to him feeling we call sound. Parents and teachers of 
mutes are, therefore, recommended to begin with the rudi- 
ments of language, as in teaching a child of two years. 
Mutes enjoy music from the first. A piano or organ 
should be used daily in their early training, at first resting 
the handle of the Audiphone on the instrument. Start and 
stop the music at intervals, until they realize the difference. 
Then they may withdraw from the piano and gradually ac- 
custom themselves to the new sensation. 
Faithful and patient practice, repeating over and over 
again the vowels and other simple sounds daj7 after day, 
must be the ground-work of the mute’s articulate education. 
To expect him to understand the first sounds that reach his 
brain is like asking the child in the ABC class to read 
Bacon or Shakspeare. 
THE DOUBLE AUDIPHONE. 
This instrument consists of two similar and parallel 
<llBOB, with the lower edges united, from which a handle ex- 
tends. The upper edges are separated about a quarter of 
an inch by beads, and adjusted to the teeth by means of 
notches. The voice of the mute falls between the discs, and 
is carried back, thus enabling him to hear his own voice. 8 
THE AUDI PHONE 
HISTORICAL. 
ORIGIN OF THE AUDIPHONE. 
A Device for Removing the Misery of the Deaf—Discovery of an 
Entirely New Principle in Acoustics. 
(From the Chicago Tribune, August 26, 1879.) 
The ingenuity of American inventors has displayed itself 
for many years in the patenting of instruments to help the 
hearing of different people. All these devices are but mod- 
ifications of the ear-trumpet. They have all been attempts 
to remedy, through the ear, a defect existing within it, and 
many of them have undoubtedly rather worsened than bet- 
tered in its sense the constant hse of the defective organ; 
and the throwing upon it of a greater volume of sound than 
it is naturally accustomed to has a tendency to increase the 
disease which has affected the hearing. 
An inventor has now come forward, however, who has 
struck out on a new path; who has discarded the ear as the 
means of hearing, and putting on one side all those ear- 
trumpets, large and small, which are bothersome to carry 
around, and which really are only available when a speaker 
talks directly into them, and which are practically useless 
if listening at a public meeting, theatre, or an opera, and 
has utilized the mouth—or, to speak more directly, the 
teeth—as a means of making the deaf hear. It is the ap- 
plication of a long-known principle, but none the less 
ingenious, and none the less useful for that. The inventor 
is a Chicagoan—Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, the senior partner 
of the publishing firm of Rhodes & McClure. He has 
been deaf for nearly twenty years. After going through 
with the usual routine of ear-trumpets, and all that sort of 
nonsense, and getting thoroughly disgusted with it, he hap- 
pened one day to hold a watch between his teeth, and FOR THE DEAF. 
9 
noticed that he could distinctly hear its ticking, though 
when he held it to his ear no sound was audible. This set 
him to thinking that possibly he might be able to invent 
some device by which the sounds of the human voice could 
be transmitted to the auditory nerve, through the medium 
of the tube, just as the ticking of the watch had been. So 
he launched out upon a series of experiments, extending 
over many years, and costing not a little, which finally 
brought him to an assured success. He began by taking 
strips of wood, say eight by nine inches each way, and, by 
holding the upper end of the strip against his teeth—the 
strip being so placed that the voice of the person to whom 
he was speaking should strike upon it, and the vibrations 
imparted to it by the voice might be given to his teeth, and 
thus pass to the auditory nerve, he found that he was able 
to hear, but that the wood was too resonant. The sound 
thus obtained echoed too much., Those echoes run into 
one another so that the hearer hears a sound and nothing 
more. These experiments of wood were very thorough, 
extending over a hundred different kinds in as many differ- 
ent ways. Then he resorted to metal, trying tin, silver, steel, 
and brass, but with equally unsatisfactory results. lie got 
the sound, but it was too hollow. He tried compositions of 
paper, and everything else imagination could suggest, ijntil 
about a year ago he hit upon vulcanized rubber, and found 
that that article—which had not the resonance of many of 
the other things which he had tried—was the most satisfac- 
tory. Having convinced himself that that was the best 
medium for conveying sounds, he then had to go through 
another series of experiments to decide as to the best shape, 
and manner of using it. That problem he worked out to 
his satisfaction; and, having convinced himself of his suc- 
cess, applied for letters-patent, for what he calls an Audi- 
phone, or a sound hearer. 10 
THE AUDIT HONE 
AUDIPHOKE IN CHICAGO. 
TESTS AND TESTIMONY. 
FROM THE N. W. CHRISTIAN ADYOCATE. 
(Organ Methodist Epiecopal'Church, Dated Sept. 10,1879.) 
“ A trial of the capabilities of the Audiphone was made 
before several journalists and other gentlemen September 
4, on three persons, one of whom had never heard anything, 
while the two others were partially deaf. The mute was 
blindfolded and asked to respond to the sounds made with 
the use of the Audiphone, which he did in a manner to 
convince all present that he could hear an ordinary vocal 
tone. The Audiphone enables those who are partially deaf 
to hear with nearly or quite the perfection of those who are 
in complete possession of the sense.” 
Later.—(Same paper, November 26, 1879.) “We have 
noted the success, in many cases, of the fan-shaped, rubber 
‘Audiphone,’ sold by Rhodes & McClure, of this city. 
We have seen and tested the Audiphone, to which we feel 
under obligations because alone of the magical and blessed 
boon it has proved to several loved personal friends. In 
some cases the relief has been instantaneous, magical, and, 
to the patients, overwhelming. We have seen friends burst 
into glad tears and sink quietly to the floor under the glad 
stroke of gratitude and joy. We add for information: The 
instrument costs ten dollars; it is fan-shaped, and under 
that guise its use for relief is not always detected; it will 
succeed when the drum of the ear alone is damaged and 
the auditory nerve is healthy in part or wholly; the upper 
horizontal edge of the fan is applied to the upper teeth, and 
false teeth, if well fitted,do not defeat the instrument. The FOR THE DEAF. 
11 
relief given to so many hundreds will secure undying grati- 
tude to the inventor.” 
Still Later.—(Same paper, January 14, 1880.) “ Rev. B. 
C. Dennis, pastor at Pre-emption, 111,, has, as we noted, 
tried in vain to secure medical relief from deafness. He 
finally tried the ‘ Audiphone,’ of which he says in a private 
note: ‘The Audiphone is bringing me into a new world of 
sound. I thank God.’ Some are aided by the instrument, 
while others are beyond help. The test is in the patient 
alone, not in the Audiphone. For their sakes alone, we 
advise all the deaf-in-part to try the experiment. No 
money, or mere request from the makers could gain this 
good word. We speak it unsolicited for all sufferers. Dr, 
D. D. Whedon did not obtain relief thereby.” 
FROM THE HON. JOSEPH MEDILL. 
IJST THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. 
“ It is known that the editor of this paper has been deaf 
for a number of years, and that duiing that time he has 
used all the devices for improving his hearing that he could 
hear of or that were brought to him. None of them were, 
however, satisfactory. He has tried the Audiphone for 
some weeks, and finds that it not only improves his hearing 
(Date, August 86,1879.) 
of hearing to him. Not merely does it answer when en- 
gaged in conversation with a person who is a foot, or a few 
feet, from him, but it answers perfectly at a concert. Each 
note of the musician and each tone of the singer come as 
clearly and distinctly as they did before the sense of hearing 
was impaired. Others have also tested this instrument, and 
have expressed themselves satisfied with its working.” 
BUT RESTORES THE SENSE 12 
THE AUDI PHONE 
FROM THE ADVANCE. 
“ Hear, O ye deaf ! The ‘Audiphone ’is the name of an 
instrument, recently invented by Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, of 
Chicago, which, it is believed, will work wonders for the 
relief of the deaf. Its construction is as simple almost as 
that of a Japanese fan, which in shape it resembles. It is a 
device by which one whose hearing is either wholly or par- 
tially lost, may hear—not through the ear—but through 
the teeth/ that is, by means of vibrations communicated 
from the edge of the fan-shaped instrument to the teeth, 
and through the teeth, and thence to the auditory nerve. 
We have seen persons hear sounds in this way who never 
before knew what sound was. If we are not much mistaken, 
the world will yet build a monument to our friend ]\tr.. 
Rhodes for the beneficence of his invention.” 
((Organ Congregational Church, dated Sept. 11,1879.) 
FROM THE INTERIOR. 
“We have known for some time that Mr. Richard S. 
Rhodes, of the publishing firm of Rhodes & McClure (our 
former agent, Rev. J. B. McClure), was perfecting a new 
invention for making the deaf to hear. The invention is a 
method of conveying sound to the auditory nerve through 
the teeth, and it seems to be a success. Hon. Joseph 
Medill (editor of the Chicago Tribune), whose hearing is 
very deficient, is able, by its use, to hear ordinary conversa- 
tion perfectly, and others bear similar testimony.” 
Later.—“ I knew it was coming—something which would 
do for the hearing what spectacles do for the sight.” So 
writes a friend in regard to the Audiphone. But the tests at 
Methodist Church Block show that the Audiphone does 
more than this. No spectacles will give a blind man 
sight, but the Audiphone does give the deaf man hearing.. FOR THE DEAF. 
13 
TESTIMONY FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. 
The Audiphone—A Most Satisfactory Test. 
(Date Sept. 4, 1879.) 
“ In the parlors of the First Methodist Church yesterday 
afternoon, Mr. R. S. Rhodes, the inventor of the audiphone, 
submitted his instrument to some severe and very interesting 
tests, in the presence of a number of people, including Mr. 
G. C. Tallerday, of the Medical Times, Hr. T. W. Bvophy, 
Prof. Swing, Mr. L. M. Stone, and Mr. Gray, of the 
Interior. 
Already The Tribune has contained a brief account of 
this wonderful invention, and the interest it has awakened 
among deaf people is but a revival of that over the an- 
nouncement made a year or so ago by Edison when he de- 
clared himself the discoverer of an appliance by which the 
man or woman whose ears were utterly useless should be 
able to hear, not only ordinary conversation, but should be 
able to appreciate the pleasures of music. When Edison 
failed to fulfill his promises, people generalljq and many 
medical men, too, scouted the idea of ever being able to 
reach the point which the inventor of the quadruplex tele- 
graph thought he had reached; but Mr. Rhodes, a deaf man 
himself, when the telephonic diaphragm appeared, caught a 
suggestion from it, and the result was his audiphone. 
It is in shape like a square Japanese fan, and is made ol 
■a composition the major portion of which is vulcanite. At 
the back of this thing there is a cord, stretching from the 
upper edge to the handle. By means of this cord the in- 
strument is tuned like a violin, and the tension is regulated 
according to the distance the sound has to travel. The 
upper edge of this audiphone is placed against the two 
upper teeth, and the vibrations received on its surface are 
conveyed by the medium of the teeth, and the nerves of the 
teeth to the acoustic nerves, and produce upon them an action 14 
THE AUDIPHONE 
similar to the action produced by sound upon the drum of 
the ear. 
In addition to experiments made yesterday with people 
who were not completely devoid of hearing, two boys were' 
made to hear the human voice for the first time in their lives. 
One, 17 years of age, was deaf and dumb, while the other 
was about 15, and, although he could speak, he perfectly 
deaf. At first the sounds were strange to them, but after 
a little they signified that they could hear them distinctly, 
and understand perfectly that they were sounds. Of course, 
in order that they may comprehend what the meaning of 
the words spoken is they will have to be taught. 
Medical men and others were charmed wfith the experi- 
ments, they admired the simplicity of the invention, and 
there certainly now appears to be no earthlyweason why the, 
deaf should remain deaf.” 
TESTIMONY FROM THE INTER-OCEAN. 
(Date, Sept. 4,1879.) 
News for the Tieaf—Complete Success of the Audiphone—Simple 
yet Marvelous. 
“Yesterday afternoon a number of interested gentlemen 
assembled in one of the parlors of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, on Clark Street, to gather some information 
relative to the audiphone. This little machine is the inven- 
tion of Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, of the firm of Rhodes & 
McClure, and is intended to be used by those who have 
wholly or partially lost the sense of hearing. 
The audiphone is very simple in construction, and with- 
out any mechanism. It is apparently a black polished 
india rubber or “ vulcanite ” fan, the leaf part being square 
with rounded corners, the material very flexible, so that the FOR THE DEAF. 
leaf can, if necessary, be bent double. One side has cords 
attached from the thin end or top of the flap of the fan to. 
the handle. When these cords are drawn tight they curve 
down the flap or leaf of the audiphone, which is then fixed 
for use. It is used by the deaf by applying the thin edge 
of the fan to the four front teeth of the upper jaw. 
There were several deaf mutes present, who were experi- 
mented upon. Mr. Charles Day was the first of these. 
Fixing the audiphone to his teeth he repeated quite audibly 
the monosyllabic sounds “ hoo, hoo,” which Mr. .Rhodes re- 
cited to him. To prove that he had not imitated the sounds, 
from watching the illustrator’s lips, Mr. Day was blindfolded 
and then also showed conclusively, by repeating two more 
sounds, that this was a bona-tide triumph of the audiphone. 
Without the apparatus Mr. Day could only be communicated 
with by the deaf-mute sign language. Mr. Day, who is 
an intelligent young fellow, is enthusiastic with regard 
to the audiphone. He has for the first time by its aid 
heard the sound of his own voice. To The Inter-Ocean 
reporter he stated, via the interpreter, that he was satisfied 
with the audiphone, and repeated the word “ water ” so as 
to be understood, which he had learned by means of these 
“new spectacles for the ears.” 
A gentleman who was very hard of hearing tested the 
audiphone and found it of great benefit. Several other ex- 
periments were made, and were in each case more or less 
successful. 
Among those who were in the audience were the Rev. 
Professor Swing, the Rev. L. M. Stone, and Dr. Gray, of the 
Interior; Dr. J. C. Tallerday, of the Medical Times; Dr. 
Brophy, and representatives of The Inter-Ocean and other 
daily journals.” 16 
THE AUDIPHONE 
FROM THE “ FADERNESLANDET.” 
[The editor of this journal voluntarily interviewed the parties mentioned herein 
concerning the Audiphone.] 
(Scandinavian Paper, Chicago, September, 1879, Translation.) 
‘‘This instrument has already attracted a good deal of 
attention, and all agree that it is going to be of immense 
alue for the deaf. The most prominent papers have 
contained big treatises over the Audiphone, and we could 
furnish our readers with hundreds of undeniable testimo- 
nies concerning the excellences of the Audiphone, but space 
compels us to be satisfied in giving the following few: 
The Hon. Jos. Medill, proprietor of the Chicago Tribune, 
has been deaf for a number of years, and during that time 
he has been using all devices known for improving his 
hearing. None of them were satisfactory, but now, when 
he has tried the Audiphone for some weeks, he finds that 
it not only improves his hearing but restores the sense of 
hearing to him. 
The son of Mr. Jacob Kleinhaus, No. 91 Chicago Avenue, 
has a long time been suffering from deafness. He states, 
that at a visit at the company’s office he could hear very 
perfectly through the Audiphone, and intends to purchase 
one. 
Frank E. Gerber, No. 1 ’7 Twentieth St., and Samuel F. 
Mhoch, No. 94 Washington St., also witness the excellency 
ot the instrument. 
Charles F. Hay, No. 757 Michigan Ave. deaf since 1864, 
can hear somewhat with tne w ulinhone. 
John Hollaed, deaf eight years, reading at No. 791 
Hinman St., can hear with Audiplu.ne. 
Frank LuttrJl, residing i i Cairo, ill., states the same. 
Fred. Stickel, from Delav.iu. Wis., deaf ana auaio. and 
attending school in Chicago, can hear with Audiphone. 
Thinks he can not do-.without it. FOB THE DEAF. 
17 
Lars M. Larson, a Swede, residing in Springville, 
Wis., believes that he can learn to hear with the Audi- 
phone. 
Alexander Weisel, twenty years old, eighteen years deaf, 
can hear with Audiphone.” 
FROM THE “ DIE DEUTSCHE WARTE.” 
(German Paper, Chicago, Sept, 14, 1879. Translation.) 
“Chicago once more ahead! for RichardS. Rhodes, ot the 
publishing firm of Rhodes & McClure, of this city, who 
has been deaf for about twenty years, has succeeded in 
bringing to practical use the long-known theory of hearing 
by means of the bones of any part of the head, and for 
which the eye teeth, with their delicate nerve system, form 
the basis of ooeration. It is a well-known fact that Bee- 
iLove:v. the great composer, used as a substitute for the ear 
a metallic ’rod. which he held between the teeth, with the 
other end resting on the sounding board of his piano, by 
which means he was able to hear what his brain had pro- 
duced, and thus reach perfection in music wmen has rareo- 
been equaled. 
We can say with assurance that those denied the pleasure 
of hearing, and who have a good set of teeth, will no longer 
be dtW. We have the best evidence of this in our friend 
Jos. A ’ ’ll, the editor ol the Chicago Tribune, who assures 
ns, that .nee he is ix: possession of the Audiphone no dees 
not feel the loss of hearing to such an extent as before, and 
that he nears with the Audi"1 ne ever" word spoken 
or any other noise near him as good as tnose whose hearing 
is perfect, and can again enjoy the theater and other public 
amusements.” 18 
THE ATI DIP RONE. 
AUDIPHOXE IN NEW Y ORK. 
FROM THE HEW YORK WORLD. 
(Date, Nov. 22,1879.) 
The Deaf Made to Hear—Singular and Toucning Results Attained 
by a Simple Little Invention. 
There has been a great deal of fun made over attempts 
to make the deaf people hear, and the wonderful Edison 
with his megaphone has done not a little to encourage the 
general amusement, but a man deafer than Edison has shown 
that people horn deaf or made deaf by disease can actually 
be made to hear to a greater or less extent, and so can be 
freed from many of the inconveniences formerly insepara- 
ble from their condition. 
This fact was shown yesterday at the Audiphone parlors, 
Ho. 41 East Twenty-Second Street, where the Audiphone 
was exhibited by Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, of Chicago. Dr. 
George M. Beard, the well-known electrician, in introduc- 
ing Mr. Rhodes said he had not thoroughly examined the 
instrument but believed it would prove more serviceable to 
those who were almost completely deaf than to those who 
were partially deaf, providing that the auditory nerve was 
not destroyed. While Dr. Beard was speaking Mr. Rhodes 
sat listening to him with an Audiphone against the teeth of 
his upper jaw, and when Dr. Beard had finished Mr. Rhodes 
rose, and in the high-pitched voice common to deaf people, 
said Dr. Beard had stated the case exactly. He himself 
had been deaf for twenty years, and had tried every form of 
ear trumpet without benefit. He had fallen into the habit 
of placing his watch between his teeth and listening to its 
ticking, and one day it suddenly occurred to him that he 
could hear articulate language in the same manner. He Experiments with the Audiphone on a Class of Deaf Mutes in New York City, Nov. 21,1879, 
(From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Paper.) FOR THE DEAF. 
21 
then began experiments to find a proper medium for con- 
ducting sounds to the ear through the teeth, and after two 
years perfected the Audiphone, which he has since used. 
Mr. Rhodes then exhibited the Audiphone and explained 
the manner of its use. 
The interesting part of the exhibition was the introduc- 
tion of a class of deaf mutes from the Washington Heights 
Asylum. This class included two young ladies, a young 
girl, two young men and two boys. 
One of the twv> young ladies adjusted the Audiphone 
with feminine intuition, and as she had been deaf since the 
age of two years, Mr. Rhodes attempted with her the ex- 
perience between two sounds. He pronounced the letters 
A ” and O,” at the same time making the correspond- 
ing deaf mute signs, and after a moment he blind-folded 
the young lady. Then he pronounced the same letters, 
varying their order, and each time the young lady raised 
her finger and made the deaf mute sign of the letter which 
had been spoken to her. Then chords were played on a 
piano and on an organ while the young lady held the Audi- 
phone in her mouth, and it was shown that she could hear 
the sounds perfectly. 
The experiment with the other young lady of the class 
was very touching. She had been born deaf, and she 
showed the greatest eagerness when she was given an Au- 
diphone and promised that she should hear. The experi- 
ments made with the other young lady ot the class were 
repeated successfully with her, and she was then asked if 
she had ever heard her own voice. She answered in the 
negative, and ’she was instructed by means of signs and by 
placing her hand on Mr. Rhodes’ throat so as to feel the 
vibrations of the vocal chords howto produce sound. Then 
she was given a double Audiphone—one in which there are 
two discs between which the voice is thrown—and she THE AUDI PHONE 
endeavored to make a sound. At first she was unsuccess- 
ful, but on the second attempt she made a long, wailing 
sound which was in strange contrast with the brightness of 
her face. Her face flushed as she sank into her seat and 
pulled her veil over her face. The instructor asked her if 
she had heard her voice, and she answered that she had. 
She could describe the effect it had upon her only by say- 
ing it was “ a curious sensation.” 
Another interesting case was that of a young man who 
lost his hearing at the age of two years, and who had lost 
both of his arms by being run over by a railroad car. In 
spite of his deformity he was able to make himself under- 
stood by peculiar movements of the stumps of his arms,, 
and one of the deaf mute young ladies held an Audiphone 
against his teeth while experiments were made with him. 
Like the others, the young man was able to hear spoken 
words and music by means of the Audiphone, although 
everything was simply a “rumble” to him as to the others. 
An ingenious test of the relative—and so to speak articulate 
—powers of hearing of the class was made by Miss Belle 
Cole, who sang an echo song in which the tones run from 
very soft to very loud. The deaf mutes were instructed to 
raise or lower their hands as the sound was more or less 
intense to them, and it was interesting to watch them as 
they stood grouped around the piano, upright and rigid, 
waiting to catch the sound. Then as Miss Cole sang the 
hands raised and fell, now slowly, now quickly, until when 
Miss Cole struck a high note the hand of the young lady 
who had never before heard her voice shot far above her 
head. 
After this song the audience sang, “ Hearer, My God, to 
Thee,” and the deaf mutes, who presented a curious sight as 
they stood facing the people with the Audiphones in their 
mouths, seemed to enjoy the singing heartily. FOR THE DEAF. 
23 
NEW YOKE CORRESPONDENCE. 
WONDERS OF THE AUDIPHONE 
Interesting Experiments in New York—The Deaf Made to Hear— 
Sensations of a Young Lady Who Heard Her Voice for 
the First Time. 
(Special Correspondence of the Inter-Ocean) 
New York, November 26.—An interesting exhibition of 
the Audiphonewas given in this city last Friday afternoon, 
under the auspices of the inventor, Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, 
of Chicago, in the handsome parlors rented by Caswell & 
Hazard, who have taken the agency for this country. 
The audience was a very stylish one, and beside a number 
of society people, who are scientific to a fashionable extent, 
included a number of notabilities, the most interesting of 
whom was the honored old man, Peter Cooper, who entered 
the room with the inevitable air-cushion in hand, and in- 
stalled in a large easy chair, with a number of charming 
young women hovering about, anxious to contribute to his 
comfort, sat seeming unconcerned of the attention he at- 
tracted. 
Never was there a man upon whose face and bearing, riches 
and power had left so little impress. With his kindly be- 
nevolent face, wrinkled with age, stamped with thought, 
and framed in white hair, long and a little wavy; his gentle, 
considerate manners and quiet thankfulness, not pride in 
his green old age, make an impression on the mind not eas- 
ily effaced. As he came through the door he was met by 
Henry Bergh, whose giant height and strong, resolute face, 
render him conspicuous anywhere. 
The friends of mankind and animal kind shook hands 
and beamed at each other. They met on ground of mutual 
admiration, and both alike devote their time and their wealth 
to doing the work that seems to them most needed. 24 
THE AUDI PHONE 
Dr. George M. Beard, the scientist, keen-eyed, keen-eared, 
keen-nosed, was there, ready to detect fault or flaw at a 
second’s notice; Frank B. Carpenter, the artist, who, since 
the Beecher trial, has been called “ the man with the dark, 
mysterious eyes,” sat looking on with interest, and next to 
him was seated the lather of the inventor, George A. 
Rhodes, a pleasant-faced old gentleman, who told me that 
he had just been visiting his five sisters, all old ladies, and 
living in Rhode Island. 
Mr. Rhodes was introduced by Dr. Beard in a few well- 
chosen remarks, and he then gave a brief history of the 
invention, the years and thought he had given it, the exper- 
iments made with different woods, metals, and compositions, 
before he hit upon the carbonized rubber, which, cut in the 
shape of a Japanese fan and regulated by cords, is the won- 
deiful instrument that makes the deaf hear, the dumb speak, 
and an exhibition of it a foretaste of the day of judgment. 
Mi. Rhodes added that the principle of the invention 
was suggested to him by noticing the distinctness with 
which he could hear a watch held between his teeth tick, 
when applying it to his ear he heard nothing. 
At the conclusion of his remarks the scholars of the Deaf 
and Dumb Institute were led out, and the invention was 
more severely tested than it had ever been before. 
One sueet-faced girl of sixteen, born deaf and dumb, was 
brought forward, and the instrument adjusted between two 
rows of as pearly teeth as can be found. Mr. Rhodes then 
called out, “ A.” Instantly a strange look-half fear, half 
delight—appeared on the girl’s countenance, and, in re- 
sponse to a question, she answered with her nimble fingers 
that she heard, but did not know what, being unable to 
connect the sound with her figures of speech. This was 
explained, and the inventor called B. Again she assented; 
C, the same, and after being told once she really distin- FOR THE DEAF. 
25 
guished the letters, even blindfolded. She was then re- 
quested to articulate, that she might hear the sound of her 
own voice, which had never fallen upon her ear. At first she 
refused, saying, in her own language, she was afraid, not 
knowing what noise might come. Being gently encour- 
aged, but with cheeks burning red with excitement, she at 
last opened her mouth, and the most pathetic wail, like of a 
soul in anguish, burst from her lips. Several of the audi- 
ence were so affected that tears fell from their eyes; as to 
the girl, she turned white and shivered, saying, with her 
little hands: 
“ Was that really I ? Tell me the truth; did I make that 
strange noise?” 
When assured that she did, and could learn to speak like 
others, her joy was extreme. 
Mr. Rhodes was warmly congratulated by the company, 
and Mr. Cooper spoke of his invention as a blessing and a 
godsend to the afflicted. Before dispersing refreshments 
were served, and, highly gratified with the exhibition, the 
audience dispersed. * * * Cuxss. 
IN THE ST. JOSEPH’S INSTITUTE 
“ St. Joseph’s Institute, 
“Fordham (near New York City), Dec. 4, 1879. 
“ On Tuesday, the 2d inst., the Audiphone was tested by a 
number of pupils of the institute with the following results; 
“ Cecilia Lynch, aged sixteen, is supposed to have been 
deaf from birth. It has, however, been remarked that she 
could hear very loud sounds and could sometimes distin- 
guish her own name if spoken in a loud tone by a person 
quite close to her. She says also that she sometimes hears 
the strains of the organ in the chapel, but so far from deriv- 
ing any pleasure from the music the confused sounds are 26 
THE AUHI PHONE 
very disagreeable to her. By the use of the Audiphone sho 
not only heard distinctly but could repeat almost every 
word spoken to her. As she has been instructed in articu- 
lation and reads easily from the lips it was thought that this 
knowledge assisted her. One of the persons present then 
stood behind her and repeated several words, which she 
readily imitated, thus proving, beyond a doubt, the value of 
the Audiphone. 
“ Annie Toohey, aged ten years, became deaf at the age 
of three from spinal meningitis. It was supposed that her 
hearing was completely destroyed, .but on applying the Au- 
diphone to her teeth she heard and distinctly repeated after 
Mr, Rhodes several of the letters of the alphabet. This 
little girl has begun to make considerable progress in artic- 
ulation, but up to the day on which she tried the Audiphone 
the vowel E appeared to be an insurmountable difficulty to 
her; by the aid of the Audiphone she repeated it with per- 
fect distinctness. 
“Another little girl, Sarah Flemming, also heard the voice 
of Mr. Rhodes and others who spoke to her. As in the 
preceding case, her deafness was caused by spinal menin- 
gitis, by which she was attacked when five years of age. 
By the aid of the Audiphone she was able to repeat several 
sounds. Several others tested the Audiphone with more or 
less success. “ Mary B. Morgan, Principal.” 
In a later letter (December 12) Miss Morgan states: “No 
doubt the Audiphone will be of great service to our pupils.” 
Still Later.—We are using them (the Audiphones) in 
the class-room, and have good reason to hope that they will 
be a great success. On Monday, which was the first day 
that we used them, one child heard and understood almost 
every word spoken during the school exercises. Thanking 
you most sincerely for your kindness, I am respectfully 
yours, 
M. B. Morgan. FOB THE DEAF. 
AUDIPHOKE IK PHILADELPHIA 
FROM THE PHILADELPHIA TIMES. 
(Date Dec. 9, 1879.) 
Making the Deaf Hear—Asylum Mutes Testing A Machine— 
Those Deaf from Birth and Those Whose Hearing Has 
Long Been Dead Enabled to Hear Their Own 
Voices Once More—A Veteran 
Editor’s Wager. 
The experiment of making the deaf to hear and the mute 
to speak was tried yesterday in the Pennsylvania Institu- 
tion for the Deaf and Dumb by Mr. R. S. Rhodes, of Chicago, 
who, having long experienced the privation of infirm audi- 
tory organs, invented a carbon disc, the testing of which as 
a conductor of sound was the object of yesterday’s trial. 
Those who came to see how the new invention would work 
were welcomed by the superintendent, and accommodated 
with chairs in the ample parlors of the institution. 
Among those present were E. Mortimer Lewis, David P. 
Brown and George P. Kimball. Hot a few of the interested 
auditors were enabled to follow the proceedings by means of 
Audiphones, and all such cheerfully added their testimony 
to the great amelioration of what was in some cases almost 
total deafness of many years’ standing. The apparatus for 
the experiments consisted of a grand piano and several 
Audiphones. 
Mr. Rhodes, the inventor, remarked introductorily that 
only those whose auditory nerve was not wholly dead could 
be benefited. Yery few, however, even of those born* deaf, 
are totally without sense of sound, hence nearly all of those 
educated in the asylums may be taught to speak, inasmuch 
as their dumbness is owing solely to their want of use of the 
organs of speech. THE AUDIPHONE 
A DEAF GIRL HEARS. 
Miss Ida Brook was first experimented with. The superin- 
tendent said she could hear very loud sounds in favorable 
weather without mechanical assistance. Mr. Rhodes, stand- 
ing where his lips could not be seen, spoke at the top of his 
voice twice, but Miss Brook did not betray the faintest 
sign of having heard. An Audiphone was adjusted for her, 
and similar sounds were heard by her, as her pleased ex- 
pression showed. She also heard single notes sounded on 
the piano up to ten feet distance, beyond which she seemed 
not to hear. Practiced on A and O she heard well enough 
to repeat them with reasonable accuracy, much of her 
facility having doubtless resulted from her cleverness of 
interpreting the movement of the lips, Mr. Rhodes cov- 
ered his own face with an Audiphone, and Miss Brook was 
still able to repeat the sounds, and make the appropriate 
mute letter signs at the same time. 
To illustrate the necessity of long practice to enable even 
those who hear to speak, Ellen McClurg was next called up. 
She is about 10 years old, and born of deaf mute parents. 
She never until lately heard any spoken words. She under- 
stood English no better than if she had been Chinese. 
Words she repeated accurately, but without any sign of 
understanding their significance. She was intelligent 
enough in the mute signs. 
MAYOR MEDILL’s BET, 
The great editor of the West—Medill, of The Chicago 
Tribune-—was deaf. He made two promises, viz.; One to 
his wife, that he would attend church ; the other that he 
would pay a thousand dollars to any ingenious individual 
that would let him drop his speaking trumpet. Since then 
Edison and all the inventors have been “going for Medill.” 
It was at the convention of the Western Associated Press, 
held a few weeks ago, that Medill lost. Rhodes, who struck FOR THE DEAF. 
the idea, told him that he hadn’t yet got all the patents. So 
Medill (who looks all the world like Ex-House of Correction 
Manager Thomas A. Barlow, with a speaking trumpet at 
his ear) went to the last convention keeping “mum;” and 
wdiile the youngsters of the newspaper business, like Henry 
Watterson, James B. McCullagh, of the Glohe-Democrat, 
and Murat Halstead and Wash. B. McLean, were trying to 
arrange their situation of affairs, Medill was quietly holding 
a fan-like arrangement in his mouth, between his teeth, and 
when he got tired of holding it that wTay gave it to the fel- 
lows around him to fan themselves with. In the meantime 
Medill heard everything, and it is reported did great execu- 
tion in freeing the newspaper press by the first of the year 
from telegraph monopoly—just by this Japanese fan. And 
the worst of it is, it is said Medill has to fulfill the second 
consideration that he promised his wife—that is, to go to 
church. 
FROM THE PHILADELPHIA RECORD 
(Date, Dec. 9, 1879.) 
The Deaf Hear—Experiments at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum— 
Deaf People Hear the Sound of Their Own Voices 
for the First Time in Many Years. 
In the parlors of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum was yes- 
terday demonstrated the Audiphone, by which the deaf can 
hear. It is the invention of Mr. R. S. Rhodes, a man who is 
accounted ‘“hard of hearing.” Before experimenting, he 
explained that the Audiphone was used by placing the in- 
strument against the upper teeth when addressed. He said 
that where the physical conditions of the persons using the 
Audiphone are the same the results are the same. Any 
person having the use of the auditory nerve is enabled to 
hear through the instrument, but those who have lost the 
power of this nerve through disease or sickness could not 
be made to hear. . THE AUDI PHONE 
While Mr. Rhodes was speaking Mr. Curly, of the iristitu 
tion was explaining his words by finger signs to some dozen 
of the inmates of the aslyum who had been brought into 
the parlor. 
Mr. Rhodes also read a letter from the principal of St. 
Joseph’s Institute, at Fordhara, in which the results of some 
experiments were given. It read that out of thirty inmafes 
experimented upon, five, who were entirely deaf, could hear 
with the Audiphone, sixteen, who could slightly hear the 
sound of an organ, could hear distinctly, and nine, who 
barely discerned the sound of the voice, could hear perfectly. 
G. B. Gimball explained that his sister, who had been 
very deaf for a long time, was enabled to hear through the 
Audiphone quite well. Last Sunday she visited church, and 
for the first time in seven years, was able to hear and appre- 
ciate the sermon. 
Ida Brooks, a child of the institution, who had been deaf 
since birth, was then experimented upon. The Audiphone, 
which is a fan-shaped instrument, slightly curved by means 
of a string while in use, was placed against her upper teeth 
and she then heard a note of the piano at a distance of 
twelve feet. She was also able to repeat the sounds of letters 
after Mr. Rhodes. The double telephone was then placed 
between her teeth, and with it she was able to hear her own 
voice plainly. 
Catherine Lewis, a young lady, also an inmate of the 
asylum, ordinarily was able to hear a very loud voice. 
With the Audiphone she could hear and repeat words 
uttered in a conversational key. 
Samuel Davidson a young man of seventeen years, who 
had been deaf for over ten years, was the next object of at- 
tention. He had lost his hearing from disease, and was able 
only to hear a noise, but could not distinguish the difference 
in sound. The young man was handed a book to read, in FOR TEE DEAF. 
31 
which, Mr. Rhodes read the same passage aloud. With the 
aid of the instrument the young man was able to follow the 
reading, and to distinguish each word. 
Julia Fooley, a young lady who had the use [of her 
voice, but who could not hear any sound, was the last one 
to try the instrument. Miss Fooley is an expert reader 
from the motion of the lips, and readily understood enough 
of questions to answer that she lost her hearing from brain 
fever eight years ago. Since that time she had never heard 
a sound, not even of her own voice. The Audiphone was 
placed in position in her mouth, and she distinctly heard a 
note struck upon the piano. With the use of the double 
instrument she read a few sentences from a book, and was 
able to distinguish what she said. In explanation the young 
lady said, while her eyes sparkled with pleasure : “ I can 
hear myself, but it is inconvenient to speak with this in 
my mouth.” 
In order to test the power of the Audiphone thoroughly, 
Miss Fooley was requested to raise and lower her hand ac- 
cording to the high or low note struck on the piano. As 
she had had no training upon the piano before her 
she could not distinguish a high key from a low one. But 
she lowered and raised her hand according to the volume of 
sound. 32 
THE AUDIPHONE 
AUDIPHONE AMONG THE 
DOCTORS. 
FROM E. 0. SHOEMAKER, M. D. 
(Reading, Penn.) 
The following is from Dr. Shoemaker’s recent excellent 
volume, entitled “The Ear; Its Diseases and Injuries and 
Their Treatment,” pages 359, 360, 361, 362 • 
THE AUDIPHONE. 
The Andiphone 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 audi- 
tory nerve through the medium of the teeth. The external 
ear has nothing whatever to do in hearing with the instru- 
ment, 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 FOR THE DEAF. 
33 
promise of relief by any means obtainable by snch afflicted, 
would receive their earnest attention and inquiries, and if 
found practical would be regarded by them as a great boom 
Z: 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 his- 
tory, have been judiciously selected for this purpose, and 
the results are given as follows : 
Deafness from Aural Catarrh, fifteen years' standing. 
—Mrs. IT., aged 73, gradually lost her hearing fifteen years 
ago from aural catarrh. Deaf to all sounds in right ear. 
Left ear deaf to tick of watch, but hears vibrations of tuning- 
fork close by. Tuning-fork heard equally well on both sides 
when placed on the teeth. Can hear and understand words 
when spoken loudly a few inches from left ear, but can not 
distinguish sounds at a distance. Hears ordinary conver- 
sation quite well with the aid of the Audiphone, even at a 
distance of 12 feet, notwithstanding she wears artificial teeth. 
Case I. 
Case 11. 
Deaf ness from Scarlet Fever, sixteen years’ standing.— 
~W. M., aged 18, deaf from scarlet fever since two years of 
age, both drumheads entirely destroyed by chronic suppur- 
ation of the middle ear. Deaf to ordinary conversation. 
Hears and understands when loudly spoken to close by- 
Hears much better with the Audiphone. Hears fairly well 
with this instrument 20 feet or more away. 
Case 111. 
Deafness from Explosion of a Shell. Mr. K., aged 47, THE AUDI PHONE 
resident of this city, lost his hearing from an explosion of 
a shell during an engagement in the late war. Both drum- 
heads are completely destroyed. Is quite deaf to the voice 
and all ordinary sounds. Can distinguish words when 
spoken very loudly, within six inches of his ear. Tuning- 
fork not plainly heard on his head, but more plainly on his 
teeth. Told me he had not heard the sound of any bell 
since 1864, when he received the injury. This statement 
seemed incredible, yet I regarded him as a truthful man. 
I immediately obtained an ordinary sized dinner bell, and. 
rang it as loudly as possible by the side of his head, but he 
said he could hear no sound, but that he could feel the vibra- 
tions. I then handed him one of Mr. R. S. Rhodes’ Audi- 
phones (A No. 702), and directed him how to use the same, 
placing myself some five feet away. I then rang the bell 
and gradually approached him, and when about three feet 
away he expressed great joy at hearing the natural ringing 
sound. He also said “ I can hear you talk and understand 
first rate what you say when I have this instrument against 
my teeth. I then placed myself at a distance of twenty 
feet from him, and spoke in an ordinary tone of voice, asking 
him several questions, and he answered them all correctly. 
He then said “ I find I need not talk so loud as I hear very 
plainly what I myself say.” Regarding this test very thor- 
ough, as w7ell as very satisfactory in its results, I then took 
a seat some five feet from him, and engaged in a conversa- 
tion with him, and in a rather low tone of voice, but still 
he understood every word. Here I may congratulate Mr. 
Rhodes on the success of his invention, and my patient 
on his good fortune in deriving such signal benefit from the 
same. 
Case IY. 
Deaf - Mutism caused hy Gerebro-Spinal Meningitis.— 
J. S., aged 10, deaf since three years of age, from the effects FOE THE DEAF. 
35 
of cerebro-spinal meningitis, and having been deprived of 
hearing so early in life is also dumb. On applying the 
tuning-fork on his head and teeth, he intimated he could 
hear. I then applied the Audiphone to his teeth, and he 
seemed to hear when spoken to. I then asked him to repeat 
the sound I made; being a bright boy, and taking much 
interest in his examination, I had no difficulty in getting 
him try to repeat any sound I made. Thinking it likely he 
only followed the motion of my lips or mouth, I had his 
eyes closed, and then repeated the sounds, which he as 
promptly endeavored to imitate, some even remarkably cor- 
rect—leaving no doubt on my mind as to his hearing with 
the Audiphone. 
EEMAEKS. 
The above cases were not consecutive, but fairly represent 
the result in a number of cases examined. I feel it my duty 
to say that I have met with several cases in which the Audi- 
phone did not give entire satisfactory results, but I think 
the failures may very readily be accounted for in each case. 
One is that of a lady aged 68, of catarrhal deafness, the fail- 
ure was altogether owing to the looseness of her artificial 
teeth, and in others to various causes plainly perceptible. 
I may also mention that in all cases examined, other in- 
struments of ancient and recent invention, were also tested 
or tried, but in no instance save one was any found as effect- 
ual as the Audiphone. I refer to the case of the lady with 
the loose artificial teeth. In this case the ordinary conver- 
sation tube was found the only available aid. 
COHCLHSIOK 
Having carefully and impartially tested the merits of the 
Audiphone as a means for aiding the deaf to hear, it affords 
me very great pleasure to say, that in ray opinion, it is the 
best instrument for this purpose known to the science of 
otology. 36 
THE AUDI PHONE 
FROM THE “LOUISYILLE (KY.) MEDICAL HEWS.” 
THE AUDIPHONE AND DENTAPHONE. 
(Date, Dec. 27, 1879—Page 307.) 
W. Cheatham, M. D. 
The Chicago Andiphone can be used at the opera or 
church or in general conversation with perfect comfort and 
success. I think the form (fan-shape) is quite an item, as 
it is easily carried, and can be used without exciting com- 
ment. The position of holding a fan in the mouth is quite 
a natural one. 
The principle of the working of the Audiphone is very 
simple. The instrument only does good in cases of deaf- 
ness the result of external and middle-ear diseases. Where 
the nerve is involved it is useless. The instrument is held 
between the teeth. The sound striking it causes certain 
vibrations, which are carried through the bones to the nerve 
of hearing. In case of the patient having artificial teeth, 
the conducting power is of course interfered with very much. 
Patients before investing in an Audiphone should make 
certain tests, unless they have an instrument at hand to try. 
If on placing the handle of a tuning fork (which has been 
caused to vibrate by striking it on the knee) on the teeth, 
the ringing is heard distinctly, or with increased intensity; 
or if a watch held firmly between the teeth is heard to tick 
well, it is pretty certain that an Audiphone will be of some 
service to them. Patients in whom there is any prospect of 
improvement of hearing by treatment should not use an in- 
strument except on special occasions. 
Mrs. P., who is unable to hear only when the voice is con- 
siderably elevated and the mouth put close to the ear, pur- 
chased a Chicago Audiphone. The result was surprising. 
She can hear common conversation at some distance with 
it. Others I have tried with like result. My Audiphone 
cost $10.50. FOR THE DEAF. 
37 
FROM THE MARION CHRONICLE. 
Some time ago Dr. Webster became acquainted with a 
deaf and dumb boy who lives in North Marion, Indiana, 
and his attention being called to the recently-invented Au- 
diphone, he determined to see what it would do for his 
young friend. The instrument was sent for and came to 
hand last Saturday. The doctor then sent for the boy to 
come to his house, and some very interesting experiments 
were had. The boy placed the instrument against his eye- 
teeth, and the doctor’s daughter, Miss Euretta, commenced 
playing on the piano. The dazed and astonished look of 
the boy indicated that he had heard for the first time in his 
life, but did not know what it was. By means of writing 
he was informed that it was a sound he heard, and with 
this explanation the experiments proceeded. He laughed 
and cried and applied himself diligently to learn. In the 
course of a few hours he could distinguish the different 
pieces played by Euretta on the piano, and could under- 
stand a few words spoken by the doctor. We called at the 
doctor’s residence on Monday evening to see how the boy 
was prospering, and was surprised and pleased to see the 
rapid progress he had made. We shall watch the case with 
great interest, and at an early day have more to say. 
(Dated Jan. 1, 1880.) 
The Audiphone is made of vulcanized rubber, in the 
shape of a fan; in fact, it can be used as one, and none 
would have an that it was anything else. Two cords 
are drawn across the face so as to slightly curve it. The 
curve differs in each case, which can be found out only by 
trial. When the fan or instrument is ready, it is placed 
against the teeth and the sound waves act upon it as upon 
the ear drum. The instrument is so simple that when we 
say it is a hard rubber fan drawn into a curve by two silk 
cords, we have fully described it. That is all there is of it> 
but it is the most wonderful invention of the past year. 38 
THE AUDIPHONE 
PEESS COMMENDATIONS. 
The Audiphone in Liverpool (England), and Elsewhere. 
FROM THE LIVERPOOL DAILY POST. 
(Date, Nov. 18,1879.) 
The Audiphone.—ln his address on the mechanical gen- 
ius of the Americans, last Saturday, Mr, James Sarauelson 
showed the model of a new instrument called the Audi- 
phone, which is destined to afford the means of hearing to 
deaf persons. It consists of a large thin plate of metal, 
which is held between the teeth, and acts as a sound board, 
transmitting sounds to the brain in cases where the ear is 
imperfect, and unable to perform its functions. Mr. Sam- 
uelson has now received one of the Audiphones from Amer- 
ica, and tested it on Monday upon a number of g.entlemeu 
are more or less hard of hearing, with very excellent 
results. After giving it a further trial, and fully satisfying 
himself of its efficiency, he will take means tp enable all 
persons who are afflicted with deafness to witness its oper- 
ation. 
Later.—(Same paper, December 2, 1879.) On Saturday 
afternoon last, there was held, in the Lecture Hall of the 
Free Library, a meeting in connection with the Liverpool 
Science and Art Classes, when the chairman of these classes, 
Mr. James Samuelson, exhibited an instrument designed as 
an aid to the deaf—the Audiphone—which he met with 
during his late visit to America. Mr. Councillor J. A. 
Picton presided, and there was a crowded audience, there 
being present several medical gentlemen and others inter- 
ested in matters pertaining to deafness. Mr. Samuelson 
first gave a brief description of the structure of the several 
parts of the ear, and explained how, by the use of the Au- FOB THE DEAF. 
39 
diphone, sonorous vibrations are gathered up and transmit- 
ted through the bones of the face and the skull to the 
auditory nerve. He next asked several gentlemen on the 
platform, including Dr. Kevins, to test the instrument, and 
they all pronounced it a great assistance to hearing. He 
then tested it on two pupils from the Deaf and Dumb 
Institution with satisfactory results. Afterwards about a 
score of persons of different ages and conditions and de- 
grees of deafness came forward from among the audience, 
and made a trial of. the instrument, and in nearly every 
case it wras clearly shown that such sounds as those of the 
voice, of a bell, a whistle, or a musical instrument, could be 
heard by the aid of the Audiphone, where without it they 
were inaudible. The general result appeared to be that, 
provided the auditory nerve itself was in a healthy condi- 
tion, the Audiphone was of great assistance to deaf persons _ 
Mr. Samuelson mentioned that the inventor wTas a Mr., 
Rhodes, of Chicago, and, in answer to mafny inquiries from 
the audience, stated that the Audiphone was now being 
manufactured by Messrs. Rhodes & McClure, of Methodist 
Church Block, Chicago, and sold at a price of about ten 
dollars. The meeting, which was of a most interesting 
character throughout, concluded with a very hearty vote of 
thanks to Mr. Samuelson for calling attention to so useful 
an invention. 
FROM FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED PAPER. 
The Spanish monk Pedro de Conce, whose name appears 
in early history, 1570, was the first who undertook to edu- 
cate the mute so as to make him useful to society. After 
him, in the seventeenth century, J. Pablo Bonet, a Span- 
iard, undertook to teach the mute the art of understanding 
written words, and explained their meaning by drawings and 
Information on the Education of Mutes. 40 
TEE AUDIPHONE 
pictures. The mathematician Wallace began the education 
of mutes in England as early as 1680. In Holland, in the 
early part of the eighteenth century, Konrod Amman taught 
them by the motion of the lips, which he made them prac- 
tice before a looking-glass. Soon after this period France 
established a school, through Abbe He I’Epper, to teach the 
mute by pantomime. 
But now, in the latter part of the nineteenth century, E. 
S. Ehodes, of Chicago, has invented an instrument named 
the Audiphone, by which the deaf can hear, through the 
teeth, spoken words and musical sounds, and the mute that 
has unimpaired auditory nerve can hear his own voice. 
This instrument, which has lately been exhibited in sev- 
eral institutions of this country, is destined to be a great 
boon to those afflicted with deafness. 
Its success is established beyond peradventure. In fact 
it does more than is claimed by the inventor, as hundreds 
of testimonials coming from all parts of the world prove. 
It not only makes the deaf hear, but by stimulating the 
natural organ of hearing it improves and strengthens its 
impaired condition. It is opening a new world for the 
deaf, and the name of E. S. Ehodes, in connection with the 
Audiphone, will pass into history and be spoken henceforth 
and forever along with those of Fulton and Franklin and 
Morse, and others. 
FEOM THE HEEALD AND PEESBYTEE. 
Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, of Chicago, the original inventor 
of the Audiphone, has recently visited this city and arranged 
with Mr. A. B. Merriam & Co., corner Fifth and Walnut, 
to represent and sell his device which enables deaf persons 
to hear as distinctly through the teeth as others do naturally. 
(Cincinnati, Jan. 21, 1880.) FOR THE DEAF. 
41 
The Audiphone, in appearance, is simply a rubber fan, 
and its use is so simple and natural that a deaf person may 
carry it anywhere and use it upon all occasions without at- 
tracting attention or exciting remark. 
There can be no question that Mr. Rhodes’ invention will 
prove an inestimable boon to thousands of persons who 
have heretofore been deprived of the priceless blessing of 
hearing. 
We have only to add that Messrs. Rhodes & McClure 
have adopted a method of introducing their invention which 
is calculated to convince every one that they have the full- 
est confidence in its merits and permanent success. Several 
thousand of these Audiphones are already in use, and giv- 
ing great satisfaction. 
THE AUDIPHONE FOR WOMEN. 
(From the Evening Wisconsin, Jan. 20,1S80.) 
THE EDITOR, W. E. CRAMER, 
In using the Audiphone it has occurred to us that no in- 
vention could have been more fortunate, especially for a 
pretty woman afflicted with deafness. 
She can not pleasantly use the snake auricular, because it 
frequently places her head in an ungraceful position, and if 
she happens to have large or ugly ears, it .invites too much 
attention to that glaring defect. 
It is well known that Pauline, the beautiful sister of 
Napoleon, had very large ears, and, at one time, a rude 
English lady almost drove the beautiful Pauline from the 
ball-room by exclaiming quite aloud: “ Oh, what a monstrous 
ear!” This invited general attention to Pauline’s large 
ears, and it annoyed her beyond measure. TEE AUDIPEONE 
If a woman has a sea-shell of an ear she can use the 
Smith auricular with some satisfaction. Yet it is generally 
disagreeable for her to use it at all. A woman with a natu- 
ral desire to conceal her infirmities does not wish people to 
know that she is at all deaf, as that implies some deteriora- 
tion of her charms. 
Now, the Audiphone invented by Mr. Rhodes, of Chi- 
cago genius, does away with all this misery and trouble. 
The woman can jauntily place the edges of the Audiphone 
upon her front teeth, and, if these teeth be white and fair* 
and her lips rosy and luscious, the Audijfiione unconsciously 
invites special attention to her charms in that regard. 
If she has beautiful eyes she can flash them upon tho 
person with whom she is speaking, with much better effect 
with the Audiphone upon her teeth, than if she had to bend 
her head in using the ordinary auricular. 
So, we think that Mr. Rhodes has been fortunate in in- 
troducing an invention for the bright and handsome woman 
of our grand land, who may, in some degree, be afflicted 
with an infirmity of hearing, and then, so far from depreci- 
ating her charms by the effort to hear, she will appear even 
more interesting, for thousands of our fairest women keep 
a fan in their hand for the purpose of adroitly inviting 
observation to their beautiful teeth, the fashion being to 
put one edge of the fan in the corner of the mouth, thus 
showing also the glowing radiance of their lips. 
Now, in this nineteenth century, when so many efforts are 
made by the fair sex to beautify their forms and their faces, 
is it not most fortunate that a discovery has been made 
which takes away the edge of an infirmity and renders it 
possible that even a maiden who is touched with an infirm- 
ity of hearing may become a belle ? FOR THE DEAF. 
FROM THE CHRISTIAN INTELLIGENCER. 
A correspondent of the Christian Intelligencer writes: 
It may seem a small matter to speak of as an outcome ot a 
great city’s doings—but there is a room in New York where 
you may go to-day and sit and have a blessed revelation and 
thank God. One and another come in, bearing on their 
faces the peculiar lines which indicate the sadness and solic- 
itude ot deafness. They take into their-hands what seems 
a curved fan, and rest it (as is the wont of those who fan 
themselves) against their lips, or rather seem to touch it 
gently to their teeth. Instantly a pleasing surprise per- 
vades their countenance, and soon the sorrow lines smooth 
out of their brows and cheeks, not wholly from within but 
reflected from the speech and sounds about them. They 
hear! They are out of a long imprisonment, whose thick 
walls have shut from them the voices of men, or dulled 
them into a confused and distant murmur. One says (a 
young man), “ I was receiving a large salary and saw a pros- 
perous career before me, but I was forced to resign it all 
under the pressure of increasing deafness, and I have found 
myself strangely incapacitated for what 1 feel I could best, 
do, and need to do for the sake of others as well as myself. 
And now I hear you all, and could transact business with 
you as well as ever.” Another says, “ I went three times 
to church yesterday, as has been my wont, but 1 heard 
scarcely a word; but now I hear distinctly your ordinary 
tones.” And the whole secret is in that little fan which 
each holds against his teeth. Are not the tailsraans ot 
science working greater marvels than the babied genii, or 
the dreams of Arabian Nights? All this is but a faint 
preluding mutter of a great sea of blessed sound, which is- 
to surge in upon myriads of relived hearts when the Audi- 
phone makes itself heard as it makes men to hear. 
THE AUDIPHONB. 44 
THE AH DIP RONE. 
m“ A. ma" deJ){eT than Edison has shown, by the Audiphone, that people born deaf or 
made deaf by disease, can actually be made to hear to a greater or less extent ''—Detroit 
Tree Press. Nov. 25, 1879. 
n “A1 y?h‘au *a’ U,nd will I?lat<r,rially, h,e!P in the education of children like those at the 
peaf and Dumb Asylum, and will doubtless prove an effective aid to the many people of 
impaired hearing. Its discovery therefore is a cause for congratulation, and its attractive 
appearance and convenience for use, so different from the old-fashioned ear trumpet, will 
serve to bring it largely into use.."—Hartford {Conn.) Courant. P 
f J 7uea-f TUteS aAS j? ™ar the ?usic of the piano when at a considerable distance 
from the instrument. —N. Ya Observer's Report of Private Exhibition. 
Chriltuin in vention promises to be one of great value,”—lllustrated N. Y. 
Tests were satisfactorily applied to several members of a class of deaf mutes who were 
present, and the pleasure at hearing sound evinced by one young girl was most interest- 
ing and touching, A new organ, or a new use for an organ, is discovered, if not created ” 
krom Jenny June s Letter in Baltimore American, Dec. 1, 1879. 
deaf are ufade hour. Falling to hear through the front door of the 
r the Audiphone carries it to the back. —Concord (N. H.) Daily Monitor. Nov. 25. 
1 ljTAe d^f-.mute5 were e"\bled to distinguish the difference between sounds, and en- 
Novd22heiB79glnS °f °ne °f the ladles- —New York Tribune's Report of Exhibition. 
,w Thn f"diPhonJ|; f°r the deaf, is likely to supersede the ear trumpet altogether •is 
not at all objectionable to carry or to use, and enables thousands who never heard a sound 
November*dlstlngulsh letters, words and music for the first time.”—Church Union. 
“In this invention Mr. Rhodes has proved himself a benefactor."—The Standard. 
oept 25, 1879. 
“The fact of hearing through the medium of the teeth has long been known, but it 
"4s. "mamedfor the inventor of the Audiphone to utilize this fact for the benefit of the 
amictea. —New York Star. Nov. 22, 1879. 
“ A class of deaf-mutes from the Washington Heights Asylum were present, and the 
tests with them were quite satisfactory. Some heard the notes of the piano for the first 
time. —New 1 ork Evangelist s Report of New York Exhibition. Nov. 27, 1879. 
“ Sfms to discount any of the instruments invented by Edison to aid the hearing.”— 
New Orleans Times. Nov. 27, 1879. 6 
“ The invention will have practical value.”—New York Herald. 
"l£ is all the inventor claims it to be.” Evansville (Ind.) Journal. Nov. 30, 1879. 
“ The Trial was an eminent success.”— Boston Traveler. Dec. 2, 1879. 
“ Has proved a signal success ."—Albany (N. Y.) Press. 
“ Would be easily mistaken for a fan.”—Democrat and Chronicle. 
“ In many cases of deafness, where the auditory nerve is impaired, the Audiphone can 
be of no avail ; but where, as is often the case, the defect is only in those parts of the ear 
by which vibrations are conveyed to the nerve from without, this invention will prove a 
great boon.”—Washington {D. C.) Post. Oct. 27, 1879. 
“ Will practically restore to speech and hearing a large class of afflicted persons.”- 
Joronto {Canada) Mail. Dec. 5, 1879. v 
“ Great benefit to those partially deaf.”—Providence (R, I.) Journal. Nov 6, 1879. 
‘ Earlier reports are fully borne out by later experiments ."—Denver Times. Decern- 
ber 0, 1879. 
“Anew and ingenious device by which the deaf are enabled to hear through the 
medium of the teeth. —New York Graphic, Nov. 21, 1879. 
a A 0!?6 of-the wonders of this day of telephones, phonographs and the like, is the 
Audiphone, invented by Richard S. Rhodes, of Chicago, which enables deaf people to 
hear with their teeth Peopie who have once heard, but have grown deaf, and thus know 
the meaning of sounds and can talk themselves, practically have perfect hearing restored 
by the use of the Audiphone.-—Springfield Republican. 
“ Had it incur possession not more than two minutes before we were satisfied that it 
was at least all that we anticipated, but have since found it to be much superior to antici- 
pations. besides, we find it to improve by use,also to improve our natural hearing, which 
is remarkable. —Editor Germantown Telegraph, Philadelphia, Nov. 26, 1879. 
With a little practice the sounds thus received are interpreted the same as if thev 
.reached the nerves of hearing through the ear.”—Scientific American, FOR TEE DEAF. 
PERSONAL COMMENDATIONS. 
(Extracts from Correspondence.) 
LETTER TO HON. JOSEPH MEDILL, EDITOR 
“ CHICAGO TRIBUNE.” 
j Freight Auditor’s Office, 
| Omaha, Neb., Sept. 21, 1879. 
My Dear Mr. Medill: 
(From B. F. Test, Claim Agent U. P. R. R.) 
Instead of going to church this morning, I have come 
down to the office to thank you for your renewed thought- 
fulness in sending me the pamphlet about the Audiphone. 
I sent to Mr. Rhodes for one after receiving your first 
notice, and got the conversational style. It answers the 
purpose admirably. It has created quite a sensation among 
my friends. It was comical to see a number of them fan- 
ning themselves with it, under the impression that it was 
simply a fan, and then in a few moments to see their aston- 
ishment when they saw me hearing with it just as well as I 
ever did. All the physicians to whom I have shown it, 
endorse it warmly. 
Your sincere friend, 
E. F. Test. 
FROM E. F. TEST. 
(Claim Agent Union Pacific R. R. Co.) 
j Union Pacific R. R. Office, 
| Omaha, Neb., Sept. 19, 1879. 
Messrs. Rhodes & McClure, Chicago, 111. 
The Audiphone came all right yesterday noon. Ht ap- 
pears to answer the purpose admirably, and seems to have 46 
THE AH DIPHONE 
created quite a sensation among my friends. Now that I 
have it, I don’t want to do without one for a day. I am 
astonished and delighted at the volume of sound the instru- 
ment can convey through the nerves. It seems to work on 
the principle of ventriloquism. I enclose my cheque No. 
4 on the State Bank of Nebraska for SIO.OO. 
I am, respectfully yours, E. F. Test. 
FROM RT. REY. R. 11. CLARKSON, D. D., 
(Bishop of Nebraska, Omaha.) 
“ I am personally acquainted with Mr. Test of Omaha, 
and 1 can scarcely make him hear by shouting to him. 
If you make that man hear you do wonders.”—Bishop 
Clarkson's remark while purchasing an Audiphone in the 
Chicago office. 
FROM A YOUNG LADY. 
“ My faUtn-, who has been deaf forty-six years, and who 
can on near when you are near to him and speak very 
lougv, can hear an ordinary conversation by the help of the 
Audiphone.” 
(Concerning her Father.) 
Chicago, Sept, 22, 1879. 
FROM JOHN ATKINSON. 
(Sec., Treas., Supt., and Engineer Racine Gaslight Co., and builder of West Side Ga« 
Works, Chicago.) 
) Office of Racine Gaslight Company, 
| Racine, Wis., Sept. 19, 1879. 
Messrs. Rhodes & McClure, Chicago, 111. 
Cents:—l have been deaf for thirty years, but can now 
hear distinctly with the Audiphone. I thank God that I FOB THE DEAF. 
47 
now have something that will help my hearing, and that I 
can now enjoy, as well as others, some of the delights of 
this world’s amusements. 
Yours truly, John Atkinson. 
FROM W. W. EYAiSTS. 
j Grant Locomotive Works, 
( Patterson, IST. J., Sept., 1879. 
Messrs. Rhodes & McClure, Chicago, 111., 
Gents'.—Your Audiphone to hand. The lady (my sister) 
has tried it, and finds she can hear now an ordinary con- 
versation, which she can not do without it. I would not 
part with it for ten times its cost. 
Very respectfully, W. W. Evans. 
FROM HENRY MILNES, Esq. 
(Resident of Cold Water, Mich.) 
I have been a little deaf for over thirty years and very 
deaf for twenty years, and have not heard a sermon, lecture, 
or a tune on the piano for twenty years. I procured an 
Audiphone yesterday and can already hear quite well an 
ordinary conversation, and expect by a little practice to be 
able to hear sermons, music, etc., without much difficulty. 
Chicago, Sept. 24, 1879. 
Henry Milnes. 
S. H. WELLER, D.D., 
“The loss of hearing is a deprivation than which there is 
scarcely any other more serious. The extent to which this 
misfortune prevails can only be realized when we reflect 48 
THE AUDIPHONE 
that the deaf are to be found in numbers in every community. 
The man, therefore, who by any device, affords relief to this 
army of afflicted ones, not only deserves honorable men- 
tion as an inventor, but becomes a benefactor of his race. 
The “Audiphone,” recently invented by Mr Rhodes, of the 
firm of Rhodes & McClure, gives good promise of meeting 
this case. The inventor himself, with whom it is difficult 
to converse at all, joins readily, with the use of this instru- 
ment, in ordinary conversation. I am satisfied, from ex- 
periments which I have witnessed, that, excepting instances 
in which the auditory nerve is fatally paralyzed, all the deal 
may, by its help, be enabled to hear and intelligently con- 
verse. This invention employs an entirely new and hitherto 
rvf annnfi, and hence the most convincing 
and gratifying results are obtained, where the natural organ 
of hearing is entirely destroyed. I should like to speak in 
terras of strong commendation of an invention which is 
certain to be widely used, and which is bound to play a 
prominent part in ministering to the comfort of the afflicted.” 
S. H. Welles, 
Resident Minister, Chicago. 
FROM E. C. ELY. 
{Office of Reynolds & Ely, 
Wholesale Provision Dealers,. 
Peoria, 111., Oct. 4, 1879. 
Messrs. Rhodes & McClure, Chicago, 111. 
Gentlemen :—The ’phone at hand, and on trial even 
more satisfactory than could be expected at first use. My 
wife and friends are delighted and enthusiastic over it. They 
are rejoiced that I can hear, and 1 am glad that it no longer 
requires an effort on their part to enable me to do so. I 
have sent the pamphlets to friends similarly afflicted, and 
would like five or six more for the same purpose. 
Yours truly, 
E. 0. Ely. FOR THE DEAF. 
49 
FROM MRS. F. A. LEX. 
“ 114 South Twenty-First Street, ) 
“ Philadelphia, Pa,, Roy. 15. ) 
“Messes. Rhodes & McClure:—The Andiphone arrived 
safely, and I hasten to assure you of its perfect success for 
my hearing. In ordinary conversation I can not use it 
against the eye-teeth, as it makes the voices too loud, al- 
though the Andiphone is scarcely drawn. I entered into 
general conversation with perfect east, last evening, for the 
first time for five or six years. A melodeon or piano I hear 
distinctly at great distances. Reading aloud is also easily 
heard. My family and friends are so rejoiced at my success, 
and regard the instrument in wonder. My physician is de- 
lighted with it, and thinks, as my deafness arose greatly from 
nervousness, that the Audiphone will stimulate the auditory 
nerve, and possibly benefit or restore my sense of hearing. 
The terrible strain being taken from my mind gives me 
such rest and spirits that I almost forget ray deafness. 
“ Yours very truly, Mrs, F. A, Lex,” 
FROM H. A. BARRY. 
“Messes. Rhodes & McCluee:—The Audiphone, per 
Adams’ Express, arrived all right, and my wife is de- 
lighted with it. She has been to the theatre and other 
public entertainments, and for the first time in twelve 
years was she able to hear all that was said. 
“ H. A. Barry, 26 Post Office Ave., Baltimore, Md. 
“ Dec. 9, 1879.” 
FROM JOHM B. SCOTT. 
“ I find that the more accustomed I become to the use of 
my Audiphone the better results do I obtain, and having 50 
THE AUDI PHONE 
been quite deaf for over thirty years I can assure yon it is a 
great gratification to be able to attend any place where pub- 
lic speaking is going on and hear all that is uttered by the 
speakers—a pleasure that has been denied me all that time. 
“ Nov. 26, 1879. “ John B. Scott, New York.” 
FROM CHRISTOPHER COOPER. 
Messes. Rhodes & McClure, 
(Chatsworth, 111., Jan. 3,1880.) 
Gentlemen:—I received the Audiphone you sent me quite 
safe, and am pleased totell you that I can hear remarkably 
well with it. Gave it a good trial last evening. My wife 
talked and read to me just as she would to a person that 
had their natural hearing, and I could hear every word dis- 
tinctly. Could hear my children converse with each other, 
which I could not do without the Audiphone. My little 
boy said he felt almost sorry that I had got one, as I should 
be able to hear all he said now. I noticed that it is not 
necessary to apply the Audiphone to my teeth wdien the 
baby cries, unless I want to hear an extra loud yell, so now 
I may begin to think there is some advantage in being deaf, 
for if I want to hear anything I can do so, and if I do not 
want to hear a noise, I can shut off the sound of the Audi- 
phone. Yours, etc., Christopher Coopee. 
FEOM O. H. PINKHAM, Jr. 
Boston, January 6, 1880. 
Messes. Rhodes & McCluee, Chicago, 111. 
Gentlemen:—The Audiphone is a success with my sister. 
She hears perfectly and is consequently overjoyed. 
Success to you in your business. May you make ten mil- 
lion dollars. Yours, *C. H. Pinkham, Jr. FOR THE DEAF. 
51 
FEOM THE EVENING WISCONSIN. 
(Milwaukee, Oct. 1,1879.) 
The editor of this paper, Mr. W. E. Cramer, who is very 
deaf, after making some experiments with the Andiphone, 
says, in an editorial (we quote his exact words): 
“ He has come to the conclusion that the Audiphone is a 
very valuable invention. His deafness is of long standing 
and Ids hearing is very much impaired, yet, with the Audi- 
phone he can hear persons speak at a distance, which would 
be utterly impossible without its use. He has tried it in 
the process of reading and he finds it very serviceable. The 
use of the Audiphone has the advantage that it can be ap- 
plied without effort and that when a deaf person is disposed 
to be lazy he can hear, notwithstanding. With the old 
‘ snake auricular ’ this can not be so for there is always a 
deal of labor in striving to keep the auricular in the ear.” 
Later.—(Same paper, October 18,1879.) “We have been 
continuing our experiments with the Audiphone, and we 
have come to the conclusion that it is a superior invention 
for ordinary conversation. The singularity of the Audi- 
phone consists in this: that the ingenuity of man seems to 
have invented something by which a person of impaired 
hearing can hear without the use of his ears. The two 
upper teeth (eye teeth) of the mouth become, as it were, the 
ears, and so long as the edge of the Audiphone is upon those 
teeth, the articulations of the human voice are conducted 
with accuracy to the understanding.” 
Still Later.—(Same paper, Jan. 7,1880.) “ Mr. Rhodes, 
of Chicago, inventor of the Audiphone, accompanied by his 
sister, Miss Lena Rhodes, paid the Wisconsin office a pleas- 
ant visit this forenoon. Mr. Rhodes uses the Audiphone 
himself, and says its usefulness to him materially increases 
by use, and that he can hear with it an hundred per cent 
better now than when he first commenced to use it. He is 52 
TEE AEDIPEONE 
constantly engaged in improving the Audiphone, and feels 
confident of yet making it of great use to the thousands of 
deaf and dumb who are now within asylums. Mr. Rhodes' 
personal appearance is so much in his favor that he would 
be observed almost anywhere. Phrenologically he possesses 
a head of genius, and he has certainly signalized himself by 
an invention which, the longer it is tested, will place him 
among the marked men of this extraordinary era of scien- 
tific progress in all that tends to the comfort and civiliza- 
tion of man.” 
FROM OSCAR P. TAYLOR. 
Gentlemen:—Audiphone is to hand and may God bless 
you for your invention; can hear as well as any one. 
Webb City, Aek., January 10, 1880. 
Yours, 
Oscar P. Taylor. 
FROM ELIZA J. BARRET. 
Mr. Richard S. Rhodes, 
(279 Columbus Avenue, Boston, Mass., Jan. 13, 1880.) 
Dear Sir:—Please accept my thanks for “ Audiphone.” 
I have delayed acknowdedging its receipt until I could try 
it, and speak of its merits more intelligently. It is, indeed, 
a simple yet beautiful and valuable invention, and a great 
boon to those who, like myself, are afflicted with the loss 
and impairment of the sense of hearing. Respectfully, 
Eliza J. Barret. 
FROM ABBIE R. STEYENS. 
“ Gents:—I hear ordinary conversation with ease, and it 
is a wonder to me every time I use it. Sounds that I have 
“ Salem, Mass., Oct. 9, 1879. FOR THE DEAF. 
53 
not heard for years and had quite forgotten came back 
distinctly, and the more I use it the better I like it.” 
Later.—(Dec. 13, 1879). “ I attend church, hear per- 
fectly six pews from the desk, and can not hear the minis- 
ter’s voice without the Audiphone. Igo to lectures and 
concerts, and, in short, am alive again and a part of the 
world. Sometimes I think my Audiphone is bewitched, it 
works so well.” 
The Audiphone operates with remarkable power in en- 
abling the deaf to successfully hear the varying sounds and 
harmonies of music, whether produced by the voice or in- 
struments. To such who have heretofore been denied the 
pleasure of hearing the “ divine art,” this invention will be 
of great advantage. So, also, is it invaluable as an aid to 
hear sermons, lectures, public speaking, etc. 
The Audiphone is Patented throughout the civilized world. 
Conversational, plain.. $lO 
PRICE 
Conversational, ornamental $l5, $25, and $5O 
Double Audiphone (for 'Deaf Mutes,enabling them to hear their own voice) $l5 
The Audiphone will be sent to any address throughout the world, on 
(According to Decoration.) 
receipt of price, hy 
RHODES & McCLURE, 
Agents for the World, 
Methodist Church Block, 
Andlphone Parlors, Adjacent to the Office. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
Jfo. 107 S. Clark Street. NEW AND POPULAR BOOKS 
PUBLISHED BY 
RHODES & McCLURE, 
f;|;m^clure.f Methodist Church Block, Chicago. 
EDISON MIS OTKmOXS. Bvo., 178 pages, 
Illustrated. Edited by J. B. McClure. 
This book contains the many interesting incidents, and all the essential facts, connected 
with the life of the great inventor, together with a full explanation of his principal inven- 
tions, including the phonograph, telephone, and electric light, which are explained by 
the aid of diagrams.—Preface. 
A very readable book.— The Standard. 
Full of valuable instruction.— The Inter-Ocean. 
Authentic information that relates to the man and his work.—Chicago Evening 
Journal. 
Price, in Cloth, fine, 75 cents. Paper Covers, 35 cents! 
JLIACJOEIVSTORIES. Bvo., 192 pages. Illustrated. Edited 
by J. B. McClure. 
J. B. McClure, who has become the most successful compiler of idle hour books in this 
country, has made another hit with a large collection of “ Lincoln’s Stories.” Mr. 
McClure sells his books by the ten thousand. His compilations have decided merit. 
They are always of a pure, moral, and religious tone, and they hit the popular fancy,— 
The Interior. 
Price, in Cloth, fine, 75 cents. Paper Covers, 35 cents. 
MISTAKES OF ItfKERSOEE (No. i), as shown by Prof. 
Swing, W. H. Ryder, D.D., Brooke Herford, D.D., J. Monro Gibson, 
D.D., Rabbi Wise, and Others ; including also Mr. Ingersoll’s Lecture, 
entitled, “ THE MISTAKES OF MOSES.” Bvo., 128 pages. Illus- 
trated. Edited by J. B. McClure, 
JBound in Paper Covers, Price 35 cents. 
MISTAKES OF INGERSOEE (No. 2;, as shown by Rev. 
W. F. Crafts, Chaplain C. C. McCabe, D.D., Arthur Swazey, D.D., 
Robert Collyer, D.D., Fred. Perry Powers, and Others ; including also 
Mr. Ingersoll’s Lecture, entitled “ SKULLS,” and his Replies to 
Prof. Swing, Dr. Ryder, Dr. Herford, Dr. Thomas, Dr. Collyer, and 
other Critics; Ingersoll’s Funeral Oration at his brother’s grave, together 
with Henry Ward Beecher’s and Hon. Isaac N. Arnold’s comments on 
the same. Bvo., 150 pages. Illustrated. Edited by J. B. McClure. 
Pound in Paper Covers, 35 cents. MISTAKES OF IXGERSOLL and INGERSOEE’S 
ANSWERS. Bvo., 278 pages. Illustrated. Edited by J. B. 
McClure. (This volume includes the full contents of Nos. 1 and 2 
two volumes in one.) 
The collection is timely and creditable, and its fairness in presenting both the text 
and comments is commendable.—Chicago Evening Journal. 
An interesting book ; it is not often that a public character like this famous lecturer is 
subjected to criticism, which is at once so fair and so acute, so civil in manner, and yetso 
just, as in these instances.—Advance. 
Price, in Cloth, fine, $l.OO, 
ENTERTAINING ANECDOTES. Bvo., 256 pages. Illus- 
trated. Edited by J. B. McClure. This volume includes Anecdotes 
of Noted Persons, Amusing Stories, Animal Stories, Love Stories, 
Falling Leaves, etc., from every available source. 
Price, in Cloth, fine, 75 cents. Paper Covers, 35 cents. 
MOODY’S CRIED STORIES; or, STORIES OF 
CHILDREN. Bvo., 150 pages. Handsomely Illustrated. Edited 
by J. B. McClure. 
Price, in Cloth, fine, 75 cents. Paper Covers, 35 cents. 
MOODY’S ANECDOTES AND lEEUSTRATIONS. 
Bvo., 200 pages. Illustrated. Comprising all of Mr. Moody’s Anecdotes 
and Illustrations used by him in his revival work in Europe and 
America, including his recent work in Boston ; also, Engravings of 
Messrs. Moody, Sankey, Whittle, and Bliss, Moody’s Church, Chicago 
Tabernacle, Farwell Hall, etc. 
A handsome and handy volume which many will prize.—New York Evangelist. 
It is a good insight into the workings and teachings of the great Evangelist.—Neit 
Orleans Daily Democrat. 
A book of Anecdotes which have thrilled hundreds of thousands.—Presbyterian 
Banner. 
Excellent reading.—Standard. 
An attractive volume.—Chicago Evening Journal. 
Contains the pith of Moody’s theology, methods, and eloquence.—lnterior. 
The book has been compiled by Rev. J. B. McClure, whose scholarship and journalistic 
experience perfectly fit him to do the work discriminatingly and well.—N. IV. Christian 
Advocate (Methodist). 
Price, in Cloth, fine, 75 cents. Paper Covers, 35 cents. 
STORIES AND . SKETCHES OF GEN. GRANT, 
At Home and Abroad,dn Peace and in War, including his trip around the world, 
and all the interesting anecdotes, incidents and events of his life. Bvo., 216 pages. 
Handsomely illustrated. Edited by J. B. McClure. 
Price, in Cloth, fine, 75 cents. Paper Covers, 35 cents. 
AST OF THE ABOVE BOOKS WILL BE SEST BY MATE, POST 
PAID, OX RECEIPT OF PRICE. 
RHODES & McGLURE, Publishers, 
Methodist Church Block, Chicago, 111. A Young Lady from Washington Heights Deaf and Dumb Insti- 
tute, New York City, Hearing her Own Voice for the First 
Time. (See “Audiphone Exhibition in New York,” page 18.)