HEARING TEST METHOD AND APPARATUS
First Claim
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1. A hearing test method comprising:
- reading a pre-generated, read-only, test file via a computer processor from a test file storage location, the test file comprising;
computer-executable test instructions for causing a sound generating system to generate a continuous test sound at changing test volume amplitude where the test volume amplitude changes according to a pre-defined relationship between the test volume amplitude and elapsed time, the test sound being a single tone at a single audible frequency;
executing the computer-executable test instructions via the computer processor and causing the sound generating system to generate the test sound;
detecting, via the computer processor, a subject signal that indicates test sound audibility;
measuring, via the computer processor, a test elapsed time from executing the test instructions until detecting the subject signal;
transforming the test elapsed time, via the computer processor, into a subject sound pressure level threshold at the single audible frequency using the pre-defined direct relationship between the test volume amplitude and the test elapsed time; and
displaying the subject sound pressure level threshold via a graphic display device.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for administering a hearing test that emits a test sound with changing volume with respect to elapsed time. The volume changes according to a pre-determined relationship between the volume and elapsed time. The hearing test utilizes the elapsed time until a subject signals the test sound is audible, and the pre-determined relationship, to determine the subject sound pressure level threshold for the test sound.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hearing test method comprising:
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reading a pre-generated, read-only, test file via a computer processor from a test file storage location, the test file comprising; computer-executable test instructions for causing a sound generating system to generate a continuous test sound at changing test volume amplitude where the test volume amplitude changes according to a pre-defined relationship between the test volume amplitude and elapsed time, the test sound being a single tone at a single audible frequency; executing the computer-executable test instructions via the computer processor and causing the sound generating system to generate the test sound; detecting, via the computer processor, a subject signal that indicates test sound audibility; measuring, via the computer processor, a test elapsed time from executing the test instructions until detecting the subject signal; transforming the test elapsed time, via the computer processor, into a subject sound pressure level threshold at the single audible frequency using the pre-defined direct relationship between the test volume amplitude and the test elapsed time; and displaying the subject sound pressure level threshold via a graphic display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hearing test method comprising:
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reading a pre-generated, read-only, first test file from a first test file storage location, the first test file comprising; computer-executable first instructions for causing a sound generating system to generate a continuous first test sound at an increasing first test volume amplitude where the first test volume amplitude increases according to a pre-defined direct relationship between the first test volume amplitude and elapsed time, the first test sound being a single tone at a first audible frequency; executing the first instructions via a computer processor to cause the sound generating system to generate the first test sound; detecting a first subject signal that indicates first test sound audibility; measuring a first test elapsed time from executing the first test instructions until detecting the first subject signal; transforming the first test elapsed time into a first subject sound pressure level threshold at the first audible frequency using the pre-defined direct relationship between the first test volume amplitude and the first test elapsed time; reading a pre-generated, read-only, second test file from a second test file storage location, the second test file comprising; computer-executable second instructions for causing a sound generating system to generate a continuous second test sound at an increasing second test volume amplitude where the second test volume amplitude increases according to a pre-defined direct relationship between the second test volume amplitude and elapsed time, the second test sound being a single tone at a second audible frequency; executing the second instructions via a computer processor to cause the sound generating system to generate the second test sound; detecting a second subject signal that indicates second test sound audibility; measuring a second test elapsed time while executing the second test instructions until detecting the second subject signal; transforming the second test elapsed time into a second subject sound pressure level threshold at the second audible frequency using the pre-defined direct relationship between the second test volume amplitude and the second test elapsed time; displaying the first subject sound pressure level threshold and second subject sound pressure level threshold via a graphic display. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A hearing test method comprising:
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a calibration procedure comprising; reading a pre-generated, read-only, calibration file from a calibration file storage location, the calibration file comprising; computer-executable calibration instructions for causing a sound generating system to generate a calibration sound at a constant calibration volume amplitude, the calibration sound being a single tone at a single audible frequency; executing the calibration instructions via a computer processor to cause the sound generating system to generate the calibration sound; measuring with an independent sound pressure level meter an actual sound pressure level of the calibration sound generated by the sound generating system; measuring a difference between the actual sound pressure level of the calibration sound and a predetermined target sound pressure level; storing a calibration number in a calibration number storage location, where the calibration number is related to the difference between the actual sound pressure level generated by the sound generating system and the predetermined target sound pressure level; a test procedure comprising; reading a pre-generated, read-only, test file from a test file storage location, the test file comprising; computer-executable test instructions for causing the sound generating system to generate a continuous test sound at increasing test volume amplitude where the test volume amplitude increases according to a pre-defined direct relationship between the test volume amplitude and elapsed time, the test sound being a single tone at the single audible frequency; reading the calibration number from the calibration number storage location; adjusting a sound generating system volume setting in accordance with the calibration number to compensate for the measured difference between the actual sound pressure level generated by the sound generating system and the predetermined target sound pressure level; executing the test instructions via a computer processor to cause the sound generating system to generate the test sound; detecting, via the computer processor, a subject signal that indicates test sound audibility; measuring, via the computer processor, a test elapsed time while executing the test instructions until detecting the subject signal; transforming the test elapsed time via the computer processor into a subject sound pressure level threshold at the single audible frequency using the pre-defined direct relationship between the test volume amplitude and the test elapsed time; and an output procedure comprising; displaying the subject sound pressure level threshold via a graphic display. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A computer program product comprising:
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at least one computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable program code embodied therein, the program code when executed providing a method for administering a hearing test, the method comprising; a test procedure comprising; reading a pre-generated, read-only, test file from a test file storage location, the test file comprising;
computer-executable test instructions for causing a sound generating system to generate a continuous test sound at increasing test volume amplitude where the test volume amplitude increases according to a pre-defined direct relationship between the test volume amplitude and elapsed time, the test sound being a single tone at the single audible frequency;executing the test instructions and causing the sound generating system to generate the test sound; detecting a subject signal where the subject signal indicates test sound audibility; measuring a test elapsed time from executing the test instructions until detecting the subject signal; transforming the test elapsed time into a subject sound pressure level threshold at the single audible frequency by applying the pre-defined direct relationship between the test volume amplitude and the test elapsed time; and an output procedure comprising; displaying the subject sound pressure level threshold on a graphic display device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification