Ear trumpet

An auricle: an instrument applied to the ear in cases of partial deafne arising from injury to the membrane of the drum of the ear, want of proper susceptibility in the auditory nerve, and other causes. It is made of metal, - silver or gong-metal being considered the best, - and it is curved in form, one end being small enough to enter the ear, and the other bell shaped, and expanding outwards like the mouth of a trumpet; whence it derives its name. It is curved, in order to collect the rays of sound, and oblige them to converge by reflection on the membrane of the drum of the ear, like rays of light collected in a focus by means of a lens. The collection of the rays of sound causes them to act on the drum of the ear with greater power. There are many different kinds of E. T. differing from each other in construction, but being all made on the same principle--to collect and concentrate the rays of sound. Some are very small, -such as the auricle and ear-cornet, and can be worn in the ear or attached to the head by elastic springs; others are made of india-rubber, in the form of long tubes, with a bell-shaped opening at one end like the metal instruments. There are also artificial membrana tympani, or membranes of the drum of the ear, made of vulcanized india-rubber, which are introduced into the orifice at the end of a piece of silver wire, and are found extremely useful in cases where deafne arises from perforation of the natural membrane. See CERUMEN. Ear'-wax, n . Ear-wig, n. [A. S. ear- wigga -ear, and wicga , wigga, a kind of fly.] ( Zool .) See FORFICULARLE. -One who gains the ear of another stealthily and by insidious arts; a tale-bearer; a whisperer; a sneak; an informer; a prying, mischief-making, contemptible person. carry tales, whisper insinuations, or curry favor. Ear-witne , n. One who can attest to any matter from his own hearing; as, all present were made ear witne es.