Cover image caption : Helmholtz Resonators, c. 1900

Ear, Nose, and Throat set. German, c. 1900

Ear trumpets, tuning forks, hearing aids, oh my! These and more are currently on display at the Welch Medical Library as part of our ongoing exhibit, Hearing History. Made possible by the generous donation of an extensive collection of otolaryngological instruments from Dr. Robert Reuben and curated by Dr. Jaipreet Virdi and Michael Seminara.

Hearing History guides viewers through centuries of knowledge and discovery in the fields of otology and otorhinolaryngology. The exhibit features tools from the study of sound itself as well as tools for diagnosing ailments of the ears, hearing aids, and surgical instruments.

Bonnafont ear trumpet, c. 1860

Dr. Robert J. Ruben, M.D. is the Distinguished University Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Montefiore Medical Center, a Johns Hopkins School of Medicine alum, and a scholar of the history of medicine. 

George P. Way’s Artificial Ear Drum, c. 1908

The exhibit is on view through November 25, 2024 on the 2nd floor of the Welch Medical Library. Don’t forget to pick up your free copy of the exhibition catalog, Hearing History: The Robert J. Ruben Collection of Otolaryngological Instruments. Featuring photography by Norm Baker and book design by Lisa Pupa. To request a catalog via mail please email shinz1@jh.edu.