Acoustically auditing supervisory audiometer
First Claim
1. A method of performing an audiometric test with an audiometer that produces acoustic test signals, said method comprising:
- using a measurement microphone positioned in the test sound field of the audiometric transducer to monitor the acoustic test signals produced by the audiometric transducer during a test; and
adjusting characteristics of the acoustic test signals of the audiometer based upon the monitored acoustic test signals produced by the audiometer during the test.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is described which makes it possible for an audiometer to measure, analyze, and respond to acoustic signals that are present near the opening to the ear canal during audiometric testing. The signals monitored are those produced by the audiometer itself and any ambient noise present in the test environment. The system is implemented by permanently mounting a measurement microphone in each earphone enclosure so that the microphone can monitor the acoustic signals being produced by the earphone. The acoustic signals and ambient noise levels are then sampled and the sampled acoustic data is analyzed to provide verification of test signal integrity and to stop testing when the ambient noise level exceeds an acceptable level.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of performing an audiometric test with an audiometer that produces acoustic test signals, said method comprising:
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using a measurement microphone positioned in the test sound field of the audiometric transducer to monitor the acoustic test signals produced by the audiometric transducer during a test; and
adjusting characteristics of the acoustic test signals of the audiometer based upon the monitored acoustic test signals produced by the audiometer during the test. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An audiometer for performing an acoustic test, said audiometer comprising:
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a test sound field wherein the acoustic test is performed;
a speaker for introducing a test signal into the test sound field;
a microphone positioned in the test sound field for detecting sounds during an acoustic test and producing an output; and
a signal analyzer and controller for receiving and analyzing the output of the microphone, for producing control signals based on the analysis of the microphone output, and for controlling or modifying the acoustic test based on the control signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An audiometer for performing an acoustic test, said audiometer comprising:
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a speaker for producing an acoustic test signal in a test field;
a microphone for detecting sounds in the test field and producing an output signal based upon the detected sounds; and
a calibration system for adjusting the output of the speaker based upon the output of the microphone.
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Specification