ear trumpet

noun

1. a trumpet-shaped device held to the ear for collecting and intensifying sounds and once commonly used as an aid to hearing.

ear trumpet

noun

1. a trumpet-shaped instrument that amplifies sounds and is held to the ear: an old form of hearing aid

Word History and Origins

Origin of ear trumpet¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

To make it still more difficult to converse with him, he was deaf, but used an ear-trumpet.

From Project Gutenberg

The ear trumpet is an illustration of a sound-collecting device, the waves being brought together by reflection.

From Project Gutenberg

And Joe snatched the ear-trumpet out of his hand, and jerked it over a shed into the field behind.

From Project Gutenberg

He ignored the symptom and examined my heart carefully with a latest-popular-air-penny-in-the-slot ear-trumpet.

From Project Gutenberg

There at the corner, ear trumpet adjusted, and spectacles glistening, stood Debby Beasley.

From Project Gutenberg