Method and apparatus for measuring stimulated acoustic reflex latency time
First Claim
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1. A method for computing the stimulated response time of the human auditory system, comprising:
- maintaining a first tone at a constant frequency and sound pressure level in one ear, of a patient,introducing a second tone into the same or the other ear, of said patient,detecting the change in acoustic compliance of one of said ears corresponding to the introduction of said second tone, andcalculating the time delay between the introduction of said second tone and said change in acoustic compliance, and comparing said time to an acceptable time delay value as a measure of the hearing ability of the patient.
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Abstract
In a hearing test apparatus, a continuous tone of constant frequency is applied to one ear of a patient. A second tone is initiated in an ear of the patient and the resulting response of the intra-aural muscles is detected by measuring the change in ear canal compliance. A clock circuit measures the time period from the input of the second frequency tone to the point of response of the intra-aural muscles. This reflex latency time provides an objective measurement useful in evaluating a patient'"'"'s hearing ability.
45 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for computing the stimulated response time of the human auditory system, comprising:
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maintaining a first tone at a constant frequency and sound pressure level in one ear, of a patient, introducing a second tone into the same or the other ear, of said patient, detecting the change in acoustic compliance of one of said ears corresponding to the introduction of said second tone, and calculating the time delay between the introduction of said second tone and said change in acoustic compliance, and comparing said time to an acceptable time delay value as a measure of the hearing ability of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for measuring the reflex latency time of the intra-aural muscles, which comprises:
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applying to one ear of a patient a continuous first tone, applying by operator action a second tone to the same or the other ear of said patient, initiating a time period upon the activation of said second tone, detecting a change in the acoustic compliance of one of said ears to said second tone and generating a signal according to that change, and utilizing said signal to stop said time period, thereby measuring reflex latency time. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An instrument for measuring the reflex latency time of the intra-aural muscles, comprising:
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a constant-tone sound generator adapted to apply a continuous first tone to an ear of a patient, a second sound generator adapted to apply an operator-activated second tone to the same or the other ear of the patient, electronic circuit means for detecting a change in the acoustic compliance of one of said ears to said second tone and generating a signal corresponding to that change, and, timing means coupled to said second sound generator and to said circuit detecting means, said timing means being initiated by said second sound generator and terminated responsive to said detection circuit means upon detection of said acoustic compliance change, whereby said timing means produces an output representative of acoustic reflex latency time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification