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Method and system for external assessment of hearing aids that include implanted actuators

  • US 20060269076A1
  • Filed: 04/13/2006
  • Published: 11/30/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for use in positioning a vibratory member of an implanted hearing aid transducer, comprising:

  • positioning a test measurement device external to a patient having the implanted hearing aid transducer;

    first utilizing the externally positioned test measurement device to obtain at least one impedance measure of the implanted hearing aid transducer responsive to an electrical signal provided to the implanted hearing aid transducer;

    employing the at least one impedance measure obtained in the first utilizing step to determine if the implanted hearing aid transducer is operational;

    second utilizing the externally positioned test measurement device to obtain a plurality of impedance measures of the implanted hearing aid transducer in response to a corresponding plurality of electrical signals provided to the implanted hearing aid transducer at a corresponding plurality of different frequencies within a predetermined frequency range;

    identifying a resonant frequency of the implanted hearing aid transducer using the plurality of impedance measures obtained in the second utilizing step; and

    using the externally positioned test measurement device to obtain another plurality of impedance measures of the actuator in response to an electrical signal provided to the implanted hearing aid transducer at said identified resonant frequency;

    positioning the vibratory member of the implanted hearing aid transducer relative to a patient'"'"'s ossicular chain, during at least a portion of said using step, utilizing said another plurality of impedance measures obtained in said using step.

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