Method and system for external assessment of hearing aids that include implanted actuators
First Claim
1. A method for assessing the performance of a hearing aid that includes an implantable actuator, comprising:
- positioning a test device external to a patient having the implanted actuator;
utilizing the test device to obtain at least one test measure of an electrical signal passing through the actuator; and
employing the at least one test measure to assess at least one performance parameter for the hearing aid.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. A noninvasive method and system for adjusting an interface between implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems is also provided. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. The at least one test measure is used to determine among other things a status of the interface between the actuator and the component of the auditory system. Responsive to determining that the interface requires adjustment, an electrical signal is externally provided to a positioning system on the actuator to reposition the actuator relative to the component of the auditory system and correct the interface.
53 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for assessing the performance of a hearing aid that includes an implantable actuator, comprising:
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positioning a test device external to a patient having the implanted actuator;
utilizing the test device to obtain at least one test measure of an electrical signal passing through the actuator; and
employing the at least one test measure to assess at least one performance parameter for the hearing aid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for assessing the performance of and adjusting a hearing aid that includes an implantable actuator, comprising:
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a test device to obtain at least one test measure of an electrical signal passing through the actuator and employ the at least one test measure to assess at least one performance parameter of the hearing aid; and
a positioning system connected to the actuator to selectively position the actuator relative to a component of the auditory system based on the assessed at least one performance parameter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification