1025results about "Audiometering" patented technology

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and / or processed.

Systems and methods for registering, verifying, dynamically referencing, and navigating an anatomical region of interest of a patient are provided. In one embodiment, the anatomical region of interest is imaged using an imaging device such as, for example, an x-ray device. A tracked registration device may then be removably inserted in a conduit within the anatomical region and the position of the registration device may be sampled by a tracking device as the registration device is moved within the anatomical region through the catheter. The sampled position data is registered to the image data to register the path of the conduit to the anatomical region of interest. The same or a similar device may be used to dynamically reference the movements affecting the anatomical region and modify the registration in real time. The registration may also be verified.

A tinnitus masking system for use by a person having tinnitus The system comprises a sound delivery system having left and right ear-level audio delivery devices and is configured to deliver a masking sound to the person via the audio delivery devices such that the masking sound appears to originate from a virtual sound source location that substantially corresponds to the spatial location in 3D auditory space of the source of the tinnitus as perceived by the person. The masking sound being represented by left and right audio signals that are converted to audible sound by the respective audio delivery devices.

A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person. For example, the masking algorithm may be partly tailored to the hearing loss characteristic of the person. A tinnitus rehabilitation device used in conjunction with a personal sound reproducing system is also described.

The present invention relates to a device for picking up biological electrical signals, and more precisely auditory evoked potentials generated by acoustic and / or electrical and / or mechanical stimulation of the cochlear, or of a portion of the auditory system in man or animal. The implantable device for measuring or picking up auditory evoked potentials comprises at least two extracochlear pickup electrodes connected to the inputs of a differential amplifier.

A technique allows a web site visitor, or other user of a consumer electronics device that is remote from a hearing test server, to measure their hearing loss in an efficient and consistent way which is self-administered, and to store the measurements as a hearing profile which can be used for customizing audio products. The technique includes a method for conducting a hearing test using a computer program. The method includes establishing a communication channel between a remote device and server in a communication network. A first component of the computer program is executed on the server, and a second component of the computer program is executed at the remote device. The computer program according to the invention comprises a routine to manage interaction via an interface on the remote device, and adaptively select stimuli based upon the interaction to be produced at the remote device according to a convergent process to determine a hearing characteristic. The interaction comprises an N-alternative forced choice interaction in one embodiment. The convergent process comprises a staircase function or a maximum likelihood function in alternative embodiments of the invention.

A method and apparatus for de-noising weak bio-signals having a relatively low signal to noise ratio utilizes an iterative process of wavelet de-noising a data set comprised of a new set of frames of wavelet coefficients partially generated through a cyclic shift algorithm. The method preferably operates on a data set having 2N frames, and the iteration is performed N−1 times. The resultant wavelet coefficients are then linearly averaged and an inverse discrete wavelet transform is performed to arrive at the de-noised original signal. The method is preferably carried out in a digital processor.

A finite element model of an ear stored on a computer readable medium having logic representing a three-dimensional geometric model of the ear; logic for meshing individual anatomical structures of the ear accounting for whether the anatomical structures include at least one of air, liquid material and solid material; logic for assigning material properties for each anatomical structure based on at least one physical property of each anatomical structure; logic for assigning boundary conditions for some of the anatomical structures indicative of interaction between such anatomical structures; and logic for employing acoustic-structural coupled analysis to the anatomical structures of the ear to generate data indicative of the acoustic effect on mechanical vibration transmission in the ear. Various embodiments of “one-chamber” and “two-chamber” analyses and models are described.

A system for use with an audio reproduction system that corrects for distortion caused by the system as well as any hearing impairment suffered a listener. Test signals are introduced into the input of the system to produce test sounds that are perceptible by the listener. Using a pushbutton, the listener indicates when a test signal of progressively increasing volume reaches an audible level. The resulting measured values of the listener's threshold of hearing at different frequencies is compared with comparable data for a normal listener to generate correction values that are used to program an equalizer which compensates for not only the listener's hearing impairments but also any distortion produced by system components or room acoustics.

An apparatus and method for obtaining one or more physiological measurements associated with a user using ear-located sensors is disclosed herein. One or more of different types of sensors are configured to engage a user's ear. In some cases, the sensors will be included in one or both of a pair of earphones to capture physiological parameters. A portable device is configured to be in communication with the earphones to receive physiological parameters from the sensor(s) therein, and potentially to provide control signals to the sensors or other components in the earphones. The portable device determines physiological measurements corresponding to the received physiological parameters. The portable device is also configured to provide a user interface to interact with the user regarding the physiological measurements.

A mobile phone or other personal communication device includes resources applying measures of an individual's hearing profile, personal choice profile, and induced hearing loss profile, separately or in combination, to build the basis of sound enhancement. A personal communication device thus comprises a transmitter / receiver coupled to a communication medium for transmitted receiving audio signals, control circuitry that controls transmission, reception and processing of call and audio signals, a speaker, and a microphone. The control circuitry includes logic applying one or more of a hearing profile of the user, a user preference related hearing, and environmental noise factors in processing the audio signals. The control circuitry may includes instruction memory and an instruction execution processor such as a digital signal processor.

The technology of active noise reduction (ANR) is incorporated into audiometry testing in a variety of formats. Analog feedback, digital feedback, adaptive feedforward, and adaptive feedback noise control schemes are presented for use in audiometry to reduce the ambient noise heard by the test subject, allowing subject testing in higher ambient noise fields. Audiometer test signals are appropriately compensated so the test results are accurate and comply with existing calibration standards for audiometers. Existing audiometry headphone technologies are modified so that ANR can be accomplished while satisfying existing standards for audiometric testing. Embodiments are also defined for alternate headphone arrangements that may not conform to current (1997) audiometric testing standards but provide sufficient performance advantages to warrant new standards for audiometry testing in the future.

A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person. For example, the masking algorithm may be partly tailored to the hearing loss characteristic of the person. A tinnitus rehabilitation device used in conjunction with a personal sound reproducing system is also described.

A digital hearing aid according to the present invention is capable of measuring its own performance. The measurement and initialization capability may be entirely integral to the hearing aid, or an external processor may be used to download the measurement program and the run time program, and assist in computing the parameters. The hearing aid includes a test signal generator for feeding a test signal into the hearing aid amplifier. The response to the test signal is acquired at a specific point in the hearing aid, depending upon what aspect of performance is to be measured. Various elements of the hearing aid and / or the hearing aid feedback may be bypassed. The hearing aid further includes the capability of initializing hearing aid parameters based upon the performance measurements.

A method of enhancing detection for a specific object in a body. A nanoparticulate is administered to the body for location in an area to be explored for detection of the object, if present. The nanoparticulate is at least partially metallic, has a formed non-spherical shape having a minimal characteristic dimension in the range from about 1 to about 3000 nanometers, and has a formed composition capable of producing thermal pressure either in the nanoparticulate or in the object greater than the object could produce in the absence of the nanoparticulate. Electromagnetic radiation is directed into the body. The electromagnetic radiation has a specific wavelength or spectrum of wavelengths in the range from 300 nm to 300 mm selected so that the wavelength or wavelength spectrum is longer by a factor of at least 3 than the minimum characteristic dimension of the nanoparticulate. The nanoparticulate absorbs the electromagnetic radiation more than would one or more non-aggregated spherically shaped particles of the same total volume with a composition identical to the nanoparticulate. The nanoparticulate produces an enhanced optoacoustic signal resulting from the absorption that is received and converted into an electronic signal and presented for assessment of the at least one parameter by a human or a machine

Methods and systems for high quality computer based adaptation of audio data are shown. Adaptation, delivery of audio data, and testing of user's hearing abilities can occur on computers or computer networks such as the Internet Adaptation can compensate for frequency dependent and audio masking impairments. The audio to be adapted can include real-time streaming digital data or static data files. Standard digital audio formats are supported.

The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person. For example, the masking algorithm may be partly tailored to the hearing loss characteristic of the person. A tinnitus rehabilitation device used in conjunction with a personal sound reproducing system is also described.

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 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, and tympanogram / acoustic reflex 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.

A medical device is beneficial to protect a patient in a care facility from a fall by remotely alerting a caregiver of patient's unsafe mobility before the fall using a motion sensor having an alarm. The medical device uses an operating module with a wireless transmitter integrated into the motion sensor for broadcasting the alarm as an alert signal to notify the caregiver of patient's unsafe motion. A wireless receiver with the caregiver receives the alert signal from the wireless transmitter. The alert signal identifies the motion sensor that was activated so the caregiver can respond to prevent the patient from falling.

Errors in pitch (frequency) allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. In one embodiment, the user is stimulated with a reference signal, e.g., the tone “A” (440 Hz) and then the user is stimulated with a probe signal, separated from the reference signal by an octave, e.g., high “A” (880 Hz). The user adjusts the location where the probe signal is applied, using current steering, until the pitch of the probe signal, as perceived by the user, matches the pitch of the reference signal, as perceived by the user. In this manner, the user maps frequencies to stimulation locations in order to tune his or her implant system to his or her unique cochlea.

A parameter evaluation system comprising a boundary input device for setting boundaries in a variation range of one or more parameters, thereby to define regions within said variation range, a label input device for associating labels with said regions, a rule input device for setting rules to associate at least one of a plurality of output recommendations with each of said regions and with combinations thereof and an output device to present a user with an output recommendation associated with a region or combination thereof corresponding to at least one measured parameter input to said system. The input device is a parameter value region selection and categorization input device for setting boundaries in the variation range of the parameter, defining regions therebetween and categorizing the regions. The device comprises a visual representation of the variation range as a linear continuum, a continuum divider for visually dividing the continuum at user selectable points therealong, the points corresponding to values of the parameter, thereby to define regions therebetween and a category definer for defining categories for association with the regions. The device has an application in a patient monitoring kit under remote supervision of a physician.

A system and method is provided for confirming the identity of a user, where the confirmation is made using biometric data. The system includes an internal speaker having an audio port, which is positioned within the ear of the user, and is adapted for producing a signal having one or more frequencies. The system further includes an internal microphone having an audio port, which is positioned within the ear of the user, and is adapted for detecting a resulting signal including the signal produced by the internal speaker and any corresponding signal reflections. A determination is then made as to whether the resulting signal detected by the internal microphone matches the corresponding predetermined expected signal, based upon a prestored hearing profile.

Coding of received audio signals and the resulting application of electrical stimuli applied to electrodes used in a cochlear implant system are disclosed together with a method of fitting this new coding strategy. One of the aims is to place specific stimulation representing pitch by applying near threshold electrical stimuli with limited and focussed excitation fields. A range of stimulation rates and a minimal range of current levels above threshold are used for creation of a dynamic loudness percept for a cochlear implant recipient. Another aim is to disclose a coding scheme based on a model of physiological measures (i.e. refractoriness, adaptation, spread of activation field, spatiotemporal acoustical cochlear activation patterns and spontaneous activity) to estimate the proportions of available excitable auditory neurons close to the electrodes available for stimulation. The spectral bands formed from the pre-processing of incoming audio signals are weighted by these proportions of excitability to control place, timing, rate and current level of electrical stimuli applied to the electrodes available in the array.

The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.