Personal hearing evaluator
First Claim
1. A hand held device for performing sound field hearing testing, the device comprising:
- an audio transducer configured to produce acoustic test stimuli to a test subject within a direct sound field range of the audio transducer;
a contactless position sensor system configured to remotely measure a distance of the device with respect to the head or part thereof of the test subject; and
means for adjusting characteristics of the acoustic stimuli responsive to the position sensor system, the adjustment means configured to produce a substantially constant acoustical perception at the subject'"'"'s ear irrespective of device position or test mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held device includes an audio transducer (i.e., speaker) for delivering acoustic test stimuli to a test subject within the direct sound field range of the device. The device accurately delivers multi-level and multi-frequency test stimuli for the subjective response by the test subject holding the device. An ultrasonic position sensor within the device determines the position of the device with respect to the head or a portion of interest of the head of the test subject while the device is being held. The acoustic test stimuli are controlled and regulated based on the position of the device with respect to the test subject so that accurate levels of test stimuli are presented only when the device is within a proper range and irrespective of its exact position with respect to the test subject'"'"'s head.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hand held device for performing sound field hearing testing, the device comprising:
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an audio transducer configured to produce acoustic test stimuli to a test subject within a direct sound field range of the audio transducer;
a contactless position sensor system configured to remotely measure a distance of the device with respect to the head or part thereof of the test subject; and
means for adjusting characteristics of the acoustic stimuli responsive to the position sensor system, the adjustment means configured to produce a substantially constant acoustical perception at the subject'"'"'s ear irrespective of device position or test mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of remotely evaluating a test subject'"'"'s hearing, the method comprising:
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selecting an acoustic test stimuli to test the hearing of the test subject;
signaling the selected test stimuli from a remote location with respect to the test subject to a hand-held device having an interface and an audio transducer;
delivering the acoustic test stimuli to the test subject with the hand held device oriented toward the subject'"'"'s head or part thereof of interest;
registering a user response to the test stimuli; and
signaling the user response to the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification