Whether or not it helped much with hearing, the 19th-century Grand Opera Dome ear trumpet by F.C. Rein & Son was a work of art with elegant curves and an intricately engraved silver-plated surface.

Since then, medical devices have tended to focus on function. However, in recent years, better looking versions of hearing aids, wheelchairs and other devices have been replacing government-issue items that were unpleasant to look at and, for some, embarrassing to use.