Hearing test apparatus and method having automatic starting functionality
First Claim
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1. A hearing test device comprising:
- a testing probe for insertion into an ear canal of a test subject;
a stimuli source for transmitting pre-test stimuli into the ear canal;
a receiver for receiving, pre-test, response signals from the ear canal in response to the transmitted pre-test stimuli; and
a processor for determining, pre-test, from the response signals whether at least one condition related to the position of the testing probe in the ear canal is satisfied, and automatically starting a hearing test after the at least one condition is satisfied.
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Abstract
A hearing test device and method are disclosed which involve the placement of a testing probe in the ear canal of a test subject. The device analyzes responses to stimuli applied to the ear canal to determine whether the testing probe has been properly placed in the ear canal. The device may determine, for example, whether the probe is stable, whether it is sealed in the ear canal, whether the resulting volume of the ear canal is acceptable, and/or whether the stimuli delivery system is blocked in any way. If the device determines that the testing probe has been properly placed in the ear canal, the device automatically starts a hearing test without requiring any operator input.
40 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A hearing test device comprising:
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a testing probe for insertion into an ear canal of a test subject; a stimuli source for transmitting pre-test stimuli into the ear canal; a receiver for receiving, pre-test, response signals from the ear canal in response to the transmitted pre-test stimuli; and a processor for determining, pre-test, from the response signals whether at least one condition related to the position of the testing probe in the ear canal is satisfied, and automatically starting a hearing test after the at least one condition is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of starting a hearing test, the method employed by a hearing test device having a test probe positioned in an ear canal of a test subject, the method comprising:
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transmitting a plurality of stimuli into the ear canal; receiving a plurality of response signals from the ear canal in response to the plurality of stimuli; performing, using at least a portion of the plurality of response signals, at least one first test related to the position of the testing probe in the ear canal; and automatically starting a second hearing test after the at least one first test is passed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. The method of starting a hearing test, the method employed by a hearing test device having a testing probe positioned in an ear canal of a test subject, the method comprising:
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(a) determining whether the testing probe is properly positioned in the car canal; (b) automatically starting a hearing test after it is determined that the testing probe is properly positioned in the ear canal; and (c) automatically repeating steps (a) and (b) if it is determined that the testing probe is not properly positioned in the ear canal.
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Specification