Interpretive Report in Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test

Abstract

A multimedia user interface for an automated diagnostic hearing test allows a patient to interact with the automated hearing test in order to conduct various hearing related tests. The patient is given instructions and guidance for every test, and can call the operator at any time for help. Warning messages and progress indicators are provided to help the patient gauge his progress. This allows the patient to test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professional. The user interface also allows the operator to configure and customize the automated hearing test as needed. The results of the hearing related tests are summarized in a single report that is concise, convenient, and thorough. The report may include interpretive comments that point out possible inconsistencies, asymmetries, or areas of concern in the test results and, where appropriate, also recommend certain types of medical treatment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to, and hereby incorporates by reference, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 713,538, entitled “Interpretive Report in Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test,” filed Aug. 31, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is directed in general to the field of audiology and in particular to a user interface for an automated method and system of assessing and analyzing hearing loss. Description of the Related Art [0003] According to recent studies, over 20 million people in the United States alone have some degree of hearing loss. The number of people worldwide who have some degree of hearing loss is estimated to be much greater. Not surprisingly, many of these people are unaware that they have suffered a decrease in hearing capacity. The decreased hearing capacity may be due to several factors, including age, health, occupation, injury, and disease. This loss of hearing can lead to significant redu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention is directed to a multimedia user interface for an automated diagnostic hearing test. The user interface allows a patient to interact with the automated hearing test in order to conduct various hearing related tests. The patient is given instructions and guidance for every test, and can call the operator at any time for help. Warning messages and progress indicators are provided to help the patient gauge his progress. This allows the patient to test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professional. The user interface also allows the operator to configure and customize the automated hearing test as needed. The results of the hearing related tests are summarized in a single report that is concise, convenient, and thorough. The report may include interpretive comments that point out possible inconsistencies, asymmetries, or areas of concern in the test results and, where appropriate, also recommend certain types of medical treatment.

Problems solved by technology

This loss of hearing can lead to significant reductions in quality of life, impaired relationships, reduced access to employment and diminished productivity.

Failure to treat the hearing loss may worsen the impact.

Unfortunately, few people obtain regular and frequent hearing tests as a part of their routine healthcare due, in part, to the lack of a simple, convenient, and relatively inexpensive hearing test.

Like most highly trained and specialized medical professionals, however, a hearing health professional's time and services are usually expensive.

Accessibility and convenience may also be issues, as there are fewer hearing health professionals relative to other types of medical professionals.

And while hearing health professionals are highly trained, they are limited in their ability to make rapid and accurate calculations of the test data and must rely on approximations and rules of thumb for guidance in many instances.

As a result, traditional hearing tests are almost always administered in English, which can present a problem for non-English speaking patients.

Other drawbacks of the traditional, manually administered hearing tests include the need for a quiet room or sound isolation booth in order to properly conduct the tests.

All the above factors combine to increase the complexity of the traditional hearing tests and thereby discourage or at least contribute to a general lack of interest by most people in obtaining regular and frequent hearing tests.

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