Automated diagnostic hearing test
First Claim
1. A system for quickly and conveniently testing a patient'"'"'s hearing without a sound isolation chamber and with minimal assistance from an operator, comprising:
- transducers;
a hearing test device connected to the transducers;
a computer connected to the hearing test device and storing an automated hearing test thereon, the automated hearing test configured to cause the computer to;
present to the patient a list of available hearing tests, including a pure tone test, a speech reception test, and a speech discrimination test;
prompt the patient to select one or more hearing tests from the list of available hearing tests; and
perform each hearing test selected by the patient, wherein test data obtained during one hearing test is used in another hearing test, and test data obtained during one iteration of a hearing test is used in subsequent iterations of that hearing test;
wherein the automated hearing test includes a pure tone frequency module configured to cause the computer to obtain a hearing threshold for a plurality of predetermined frequencies and obtain an unmasked bone conduction hearing threshold for one or more of the predetermined frequencies; and
wherein the automated hearing test further includes a pure tone threshold module configured to cause the computer to, for each frequency being tested, obtain an unmasked bone conduction hearing threshold for the patient, determine a better ear and a poorer ear based on the unmasked bone conduction threshold, and determine one or more hearing thresholds, including at least an air conduction hearing threshold, for the better ear and the poorer ear, and issue a bone conduction threshold warning for the first frequency being tested if the air conduction hearing threshold for the better ear is larger than the unmasked bone conduction threshold by a predetermined amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient'"'"'s hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for quickly and conveniently testing a patient'"'"'s hearing without a sound isolation chamber and with minimal assistance from an operator, comprising:
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transducers; a hearing test device connected to the transducers; a computer connected to the hearing test device and storing an automated hearing test thereon, the automated hearing test configured to cause the computer to; present to the patient a list of available hearing tests, including a pure tone test, a speech reception test, and a speech discrimination test; prompt the patient to select one or more hearing tests from the list of available hearing tests; and perform each hearing test selected by the patient, wherein test data obtained during one hearing test is used in another hearing test, and test data obtained during one iteration of a hearing test is used in subsequent iterations of that hearing test; wherein the automated hearing test includes a pure tone frequency module configured to cause the computer to obtain a hearing threshold for a plurality of predetermined frequencies and obtain an unmasked bone conduction hearing threshold for one or more of the predetermined frequencies; and wherein the automated hearing test further includes a pure tone threshold module configured to cause the computer to, for each frequency being tested, obtain an unmasked bone conduction hearing threshold for the patient, determine a better ear and a poorer ear based on the unmasked bone conduction threshold, and determine one or more hearing thresholds, including at least an air conduction hearing threshold, for the better ear and the poorer ear, and issue a bone conduction threshold warning for the first frequency being tested if the air conduction hearing threshold for the better ear is larger than the unmasked bone conduction threshold by a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification