Internet platform with screening test for hearing loss and for providing related health services

• US 6,319,207 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: I Win Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: I Win Technology Company Limited
• Inventors: Naidoo, Sharmala
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/523,873
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 600/559, 600/300
• US Class Current: 600/559
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/121 evaluating hearing capacity

Abstract

An adaptive screening tool for hearing loss for use over the internet. The test is part of a web-based system which providing hearing related information and health services. The system allows users of the internet located anywhere in the world to perform a screening test in the privacy of their own homes or offices. The test is performed well above the threshold level of the user, and screens users for their ability to detect small changes in intensity within bursts of sound delivered to the user through headphones. Users are given a first or preliminary test to establish a base intensity. Then, after the base intensity is established, a second test for hearing loss is presented. The second test asks the user to identify which of a plurality of similar sounds, or stimuli, is different from the others because it has a short duration deviation embedded in it. The deviation or differentiating characteristic may be: a) an increase or decrease in at least a portion of one in a plurality of similar sounds, and/or b) an increase or decrease in the frequency or pitch of at least a portion of one in a plurality of similar sounds and/or c) an increase or decrease in the duration of one of a plurality of similar sounds. The series of sounds, one of which contains a differentiating characteristic, may be designed so that the differentiating characteristic is detectable only by persons with certain kinds of hearing losses. Alternatively or in combination, such additional groups or series of sounds in which one sound of a plurality of similar sounds in the series is capable of being identified only by persons with normal hearing. Based upon the user'"'"'s score on the screening tests, the user may be directed to a source for further information on how to deal with partial hearing loss.

Claims

1. A system for providing remote screening for patients concerned about potential hearing loss comprising a test program usable on a network said program including a first test in which a base intensity is established for a testee, said first test including a series of subparts in which one audible output signal is simultaneously presented with one of a plurality of highlighted visual output signals, said program selecting a base intensity level on the basis of accurate selection by said testee of which said plurality of visual output signals has associated therewith an audio output signal, said program including a second test in which a series of visual output signals and corresponding simultaneous audio output signals are presented to said testee at the base intensity determined by said first test, the audio output of one of said corresponding and simultaneous audio output signals containing a sound similar to but different from other sounds in said series, said program keeping score of the ability of said testee to accurately select which of said corresponding and simultaneous audio output signals differs from other sounds in said series.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion said sound which is similar to but different from other sounds in said series is different in its intensity from said other sounds.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion said sound which is similar to but different from other sounds in said series is different in its frequency from said other sounds.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion said sound which is similar to but different from other sounds in said series is different in its duration from said other sounds.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion said sound which is similar to but different from other sounds in said series is greater in intensity than said other sounds.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion said sound which is similar to but different from other sounds in said series is greater in frequency than said other sounds.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion said sound which is similar to but different from other sounds in said series is greater in duration than said other sounds.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said system includes a display of said score,

said system being capable of printing, storing and or forwarding said score by e;

mail.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said program performs a first test on a first ear of a testee, followed by a second test on said first ear of said testee, and said program subsequently performs the first test on a second ear of said testee followed by the second test on the second ear of said testee.

10. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said one of said corresponding and simultaneous audio output signals containing a sound similar to but different from other sounds in said series is able to be detected substantially only by persons with a hearing problem.

11. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said one of said corresponding and simultaneous audio output signals containing a sound similar to but different from other sounds in said series is able to be detected substantially only by persons without a hearing problem.

19. A system in accordance with claim 1 where in the network is the Internet.

12. A computer-usable medium containing a program for conducting screening tests for hearing ability, said program comprising:

instructions for initiating a screening test in which a plurality of sounds are presented to a testee,

instructions for generating a first output to a testee including a description of a first set of steps to be taken by said testee for the purpose of establishing a comfortable and readily audible intensity level of stimuli received by said testee,

instructions for presenting a first series of synchronous visual and audible outputs to said testee, said audible outputs including sounds at varying levels of intensity,

instructions for receiving first inputs from said testee in response to said first series of outputs and for determining a comfortable test intensity level for said testee,

instructions for generating a second output to a testee including a description of a second set of steps to be taken by said testee for the purpose of establishing whether said testee is able to identify which one of plurality of similar audible stimuli received by said testee is different from others in said plurality,

instructions for presenting a second series of synchronous visual and audible outputs to said testee at an intensity level based upon said first inputs, said second series of synchronous visual and audible outputs including a plurality of similar sounds are presented to a testee with one of said plurality of similar sounds containing at least a portion of modified sound with respect to other sounds in said plurality,

instructions for receiving second input from said testee in response to said second series of synchronous visual and audible outputs and for determining an ability of said testee to identify said modified sound,

instructions for making a record of said second inputs and keeping track of when said testee is able or not able to correctly identify said slightly modified sound.

13. A computer-usable medium in accordance with claim 12 in which said program includes a series of pluralities of sounds, each plurality having one modified sound which differs from other sounds in said plurality, said modified sound being different in that at least a portion of said modified sound is different in intensity from other sounds in said plurality.

14. A computer-usable medium in accordance with claim 12 in which said program includes a series of pluralities of sounds, each plurality having one modified sound which differs from other sounds in said plurality, said modified sound being different in that at least a portion of said modified sound is different in frequency from other sounds in said plurality.

15. A computer-usable medium in accordance with claim 12 in which said program includes a series of pluralities of sounds, each plurality having one modified sound which differs from other sounds in said plurality, said modified sound being different in that at least a portion of said modified sound is different in duration from other sounds in said plurality.

16. A computer-usable medium in accordance with claim 12 in which said program includes a series of pluralities of sounds, each plurality having one modified sound which differs from other sounds in said plurality, said modified sound being different in that at least a portion of said modified sound is greater in intensity than other sounds in said plurality.

17. A computer-usable medium in accordance with claim 12 in which said program includes a series of pluralities of sounds, each plurality having one modified sound which differs from other sounds in said plurality, said modified sound being different in that at least a portion of said modified sound is greater in frequency than other sounds in said plurality.

18. A computer-usable medium in accordance with claim 12 in which said program includes a series of pluralities of sounds, each plurality having one modified sound which differs from other sounds in said plurality, said modified sound being different in that at least a portion of said modified sound is greater in duration than other sounds in said plurality.