The stage directions of Act Two describe Lucy as circulating with an ear trumpet. It functions similarly to an ear trumpet by amplifying sound. She gradually lost her hearing, and by 1858 was obliged to use an ear trumpet. In her later years she had to wear an ear trumpet for she became deaf. In 1808 he invented an improved ear trumpet, and a musical chronometer. He carries an ear trumpet, of green plastic, with WORLD SERIES 1965 printed on it.