Active noise reduction for audiometry
First Claim
1. A retrofit active noise control system for use with conventional audiometric hardware in audiometry or hearing acuity testing for attenuating ambient noise in the proximity of the audiometric test subject, said system comprising:
- a means for sensing the ambient noise, an attenuation means for attenuating the ambient noise in said proximity of the test subject, a control means to adapt said attenuation means so as to reduce said ambient noise in the proximity of the test subject, a pre-filter means for calibrating the audiometry test stimulus, wherein said control and pre-filter are separate from the conventional audiometric hardware and they connect the said sensing means and attenuation means to the conventional audiometric hardware through said control and pre-filter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The technology of active noise reduction (ANR) is incorporated into audiometry testing in a variety of formats. Analog feedback, digital feedback, adaptive feedforward, and adaptive feedback noise control schemes are presented for use in audiometry to reduce the ambient noise heard by the test subject, allowing subject testing in higher ambient noise fields. Audiometer test signals are appropriately compensated so the test results are accurate and comply with existing calibration standards for audiometers. Existing audiometry headphone technologies are modified so that ANR can be accomplished while satisfying existing standards for audiometric testing. Embodiments are also defined for alternate headphone arrangements that may not conform to current (1997) audiometric testing standards but provide sufficient performance advantages to warrant new standards for audiometry testing in the future.
115 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A retrofit active noise control system for use with conventional audiometric hardware in audiometry or hearing acuity testing for attenuating ambient noise in the proximity of the audiometric test subject, said system comprising:
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a means for sensing the ambient noise, an attenuation means for attenuating the ambient noise in said proximity of the test subject, a control means to adapt said attenuation means so as to reduce said ambient noise in the proximity of the test subject, a pre-filter means for calibrating the audiometry test stimulus, wherein said control and pre-filter are separate from the conventional audiometric hardware and they connect the said sensing means and attenuation means to the conventional audiometric hardware through said control and pre-filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An integrated active noise control system used in conjunction with audiometric or hearing acuity testing equipment which generates a test stimulus while simultaneously attenuating ambient noise existing in the proximity of the audiometric test subject, said system comprising:
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a means for sensing the ambient noise, an attenuation means for attenuating the ambient noise in said proximity of the test subject, a control means to adapt said attenuation means so as to reduce said ambient noise in the proximity of the test subject, a pre-filter means for calibrating the audiometric test stimulus, wherein said control and pre-filter are integrated into conventional audiometric hardware having a test stimulus generator such that the said sensing means and attenuation means connect directly to the integrated audiometric hardware. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification