Method for determining the hearing threshold of a test person

Abstract

In order to determine the hearing threshold of a test person, according to the method, a plurality of sound groups are presented to the test person in sequence by means of an output transducer (6), the sound groups mostly comprising a plurality of sounds having characteristics that remain the same within a sound group, after each presentation of one of the sound groups the test person is asked to state the number of sounds perceived from the presented sound group, based on the number of sounds perceived, for the presentation of a subsequent sound group the characteristics of at least a portion of the sounds are changed relative to the preceding sound group and the subsequent sound group is presented to the test person, and based on the number of sounds perceived in each of the presented sound groups at least one value of the hearing threshold of the test person is estimated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining the hearing threshold of a test person. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for setting hearing device parameters of a hearing device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hearing device system. Background Art

[0002] Hearing devices are usually used to reproduce acoustic signals to the auditory organs of the users of the corresponding hearing devices. To this end, the hearing device comprises at least one output transducer, usually a loudspeaker (also called a "receiver"). In the form of so-called hearing aids, hearing devices are used to provide acoustic signals to persons whose hearing is impaired. To this end, a hearing aid usually comprises at least one microphone, a signal processor and the above-mentioned output transducer, which is mainly used for user-specific, frequency-dependent filtering, amplification and / or attenuation of the sounds collected by means of the microphone. Depending on the type of hearing impairment, in addition to the previously described loudspeaker, the output transducer can also be constructed as a bone conduction earpiece or a cochlear implant to mechanically or electrically stimulate the user's auditory organs. However, in addition to hearing aids, in principle, earphones, headphones, "hearables" and the like are also used, as well as the term "hearing device".

[0003] In order to individually adjust the signal processing in the signal processor, a so-called audiogram is usually created for the user. From this, the so-called hearing threshold can be read or determined, that is, from which volume value the user can hear the sound of a specific audio. Traditionally, the user is first presented with a successive sound with an increased or at least changed audio, wherein the volume value is increased (continuously or stepwise) in terms of its value. However, this test method is relatively prone to error, because the user always expects to present another sound with a changed audio within a time period after the start of the test or confirmation of the previous sound, and may therefore "blindly", that is, confirm the sound under the condition that the sound is not actually heard. On the other hand, the test method is relatively simple. Summary of the invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is therefore to enable the hearing threshold to be determined as robustly as possible.

[0005] According to the invention, the above technical problem is solved by the method described below. Furthermore, according to the invention, the above technical problem is solved by the computer program product described below, the further method described below. Furthermore, according to the invention, the above technical problem is solved by the hearing device system described below. In the following description, advantageous and some inherently inventive embodiments and further developments of the invention are explained.

[0006] The method according to the invention is used to determine the hearing threshold of a test person. Here, the "hearing threshold" is understood to be in particular the lowest value of the volume (or also: level or grade) of an acoustic signal, in particular a sound (e.g. a sound), at which the test person can still perceive, i.e. hear the sound. Therefore, in particular, the hearing threshold is frequency-dependent.

[0007] Within the scope of the method according to the invention, a plurality of sound groups (Tonsatz) are presented (or presented) to a test person in sequence by means of an output transducer, which sound groups mostly contain a plurality of sounds, in particular a plurality of sounds having characteristics that remain the same within a sound group but preferably differ from each other at least in part. After each presentation of one of these sound groups, the test person is asked to state the number of sounds perceived from the sound group presented (i.e., in particular, immediately before). Depending on the number of perceived sounds, for the presentation of the subsequent sound group, the characteristics of at least some of the sounds (in the subsequent sound group) are changed relative to the preceding sound group. The changed subsequent sound group is then presented to the test person. Depending on the number of sounds perceived in each of the presented (in particular, at least two, preferably more than two) sound groups, at least one value of the test person's hearing threshold, in particular a single, preferably frequency-specific value and / or a course over a plurality of audio frequencies, is estimated.

[0008] In other words, a sound set with a plurality of sounds, in particular with mutually different but respectively identical properties, is played to the test person. For this sound set, the test person must make a statement about the number of perceived sounds contained therein. Depending on the sound properties selected for the first sound set, a first estimate for the hearing threshold may already be estimated, especially if the test person has not heard (i.e. has not been stated as audible) all the sounds presented within the scope of this sound set. In order to verify and / or determine more accurately the estimate of the hearing threshold, at least one further sound set is then presented, for which the properties are at least partially changed. In particular, for the case where the test person has stated that all sounds in the first sound set or, if necessary, also in the sound set that follows it have been heard, a (first) estimate for the hearing threshold is preferably not yet set.

[0009] Here and below, the presentation of a plurality of sound groups with "mostly multiple sounds" is understood to mean that the sound groups in principle contain a plurality of sounds that have been played or are to be played, but the sound groups may also be individually provided with only one sound (or even no sound in extreme cases). In this case, the number of such "single sound groups" or "empty sound groups" is small relative to the total number of sound groups, for example in the range of up to 20%.

[0010] Here and in the following, the term "sound" is understood to mean, in particular, a suitable test sound which, due to predetermined and preferably clearly defined properties, differs from the "everyday sounds" or "ambient sounds" which are usually recorded as "pure samples" (e.g. birdsong, the sound of electrical equipment; which therefore has, in particular, unknown properties with respect to its individual components). Preferably, the sound is a synthetically generated ("designed") sound or else a sound sample which has been processed after the recording (e.g. by filtering out undesired frequency components, etc.). In a "broad sense", a sound thus approximately represents a sound, in particular in a musical sense. In this case, the sound (or sound) can be formed, for example, by a "pure" sinusoidal tone, a modulated sinusoidal tone, a tone (in the acoustic sense; i.e., also a chord, for example), a so-called swing tone, a so-called narrowband noise or similar sound signals. For the previously described sounds, in particular for narrowband noise, a frequency width of approximately a third to an octave is preferably used. Although such sounds (e.g. swinging sounds, etc.) can in principle have a changing, for example fluctuating, frequency, since the frequency "moves" within a known and, in particular, well-defined range (e.g., within the frequency range provided for narrowband noise), since the sound itself remains the same, this is preferably also understood here and below to mean that the same properties remain. For a simpler understanding, the term "sound" is used below as an equivalent term for "sound" (without excluding specific embodiments of the sound as a sinusoidal tone, narrowband noise, etc.). Correspondingly, here and below, the term "sound group" is also used for a group that can, as already described above, mostly contain a plurality of sounds, but in extreme cases can also contain one sound or no sound at all.

[0011] When presenting a sound group, the sounds of the sound group are preferably presented sequentially in time, if necessary separated by time gaps (or “pauses”).

[0012] A loudspeaker is preferably used as an output transducer. That is, the sound group, in particular its sound, is thus rendered acoustically. In principle, however, the method according to the invention can also be carried out in such a way that the corresponding sound group is output by means of a bone conduction earpiece or a cochlear implant.

[0013] Preferably, the tester does not obtain information about the number of sounds contained in the respective sound group.

[0014] The "subsequent" sound group that is changed in response to the (e.g. first) "previous" sound group is optionally the sound group that actually follows it. Alternatively, however, the changed subsequent sound group can also be presented subsequently, offset from the "inserted" sound group (e.g., already selected in its sound in parallel with the previous sound group). Therefore, here and in the following, the term "subsequent" describes in particular a sound group that is changed in response to the corresponding previous sound group.

[0015] Since the test person has to indicate the number of sounds, rather than just reacting to the perception of one sound itself, the risk of the test person making an incorrect statement (unconsciously or consciously to improve the result) is reduced. Since the selection of the corresponding subsequent sound group is adjusted according to the given statement, it is also more difficult for the test person to evaluate the test system (for example, compared to the sounds presented successively with increasing volume in the scope of a traditional audiogram). Thus, better test results can be expected in a relatively simple manner.

[0016] In a preferred method variant, different volume values ​​are assigned as characteristics to each sound in the corresponding sound group. That is, sounds of different loudness are presented in the sound group. In this case, if the test person indicates that the number of perceived sounds is reduced compared to the number of sounds actually presented, it can be concluded that the sound with the lowest volume value is no longer audible to the test person (i.e., "too soft"). For example, three sounds with volume values ​​of 40, 45 and 50 dB HL (dB "Hearing Level"; this unit of measurement particularly relates to the hearing threshold of a person with normal hearing) are presented in the sound group (selected at the beginning of the method, i.e., the "first") . In this example, if the test person indicates that two sounds have been heard, it can be assumed that the sound at 40 dB HL is no longer audible.

[0017] In a suitable extension of the method variant just described above, in order to determine the hearing thresholds (specifically their frequency-specific values) of at least one first subset of the sound groups in a particularly simple, frequency-dependent manner, the same audio frequency (particularly in the case of sinusoidal sounds) or, in the previously described alternatives, for example modulated sinusoidal sounds, tones, narrowband noise, etc., the same frequency range (which, for example, symmetrically surrounds the audio to be checked) is assigned as a characteristic to the sounds of each sound group of the first subset. In other words, in a plurality of sound groups, which are preferably presented in succession, the same sounds are always presented, which only have different volume values. As a result, the values ​​of the corresponding frequency-specific hearing thresholds can first be determined in a simple manner for the current audio (or the current frequency range). Therefore, preferably with the aid of the second subset, in particular within the scope of further operation with a plurality of sound groups, the values ​​of the hearing thresholds for further audio (or further frequency ranges) are determined. In this case, for example (for the values ​​of the first frequency-specific hearing thresholds) the three sounds presented in the previously described embodiment are presented at 2000 Hz (or in a range around 2000 Hz). If the value of the frequency-specific hearing threshold is determined, a similar procedure is preferably initiated for further audio frequencies (or further frequency ranges).

[0018] In a further expedient method variant, in particular for the case where the audio frequency (or frequency range) of the sounds remains the same, the volume value of at least some of the sounds is changed as a characteristic for presenting a subsequent sound group.

[0019] In an extension of the above method variant, the volume value of at least the part of the sounds (in particular of the subsequent sound group) is preferably selected according to an estimated value, which is selected (or derived) as a function of the number of sounds perceived ("heard") in one or more of the preceding sound groups. Preferably, in particular a value in the range from the "loudest" sound of the unheard sounds to the next louder sound that is still audible, for example the volume value of the next louder sound, is assumed as a (first "rough") estimated value for the hearing threshold. This volume value thus corresponds to the lowest volume value contained in the several sounds stated to be audible. Thus, if three (preferably uniform audio or same frequency range) sounds are presented (continuing the previously described embodiment, for example with volume values ​​of 40, 45 and 50 dB HL), and the test person states that two sounds have been heard, an estimated value for the hearing threshold is assumed at the sound with the middle volume value, here 45 dB HL. Then, in the subsequent (if necessary, immediately following) sound group, three sounds at, for example, 35, 40 and 45 dB HL are presented. If the test person states that only one sound has been heard (“yet”), the hearing threshold is likely to be 45 dB HL. Similarly, volume values ​​of 45, 50 and 55 dB HL may also be presented (in this sound group or additionally within the scope of another sound group). If the test person states that three sounds have been heard, the probability of the hearing threshold being at 45 dB HL also increases.

[0020] In an expedient method variant, the step length of the volume values ​​between the individual sounds of a sound group is selected to be constant between the individual sound groups, ie, the spacing between the individual volume values ​​is identical in all presented sound groups.

[0021] In an alternative variant, in order to more accurately limit the value of the hearing threshold, the step size between the volume values ​​is also changed. For example, after presenting volume values ​​of 40, 45 and 50 dB HL and indicating that two sounds have been heard, the volume values ​​are set to 42, 44 and 45 dB HL.

[0022] In an optional method variant, a different audio frequency (or a different frequency range) is assigned as a characteristic to each sound within the corresponding sound group. For example, a constant volume value is selected for the sound (at least within the sound group or over a subset of the sound group). In this case, the audio frequency (or frequency range) is thus changed while the volume remains unchanged in order to find the corresponding frequency-specific hearing threshold. Alternatively, both the audio frequency (or frequency range) and the volume are changed. In the latter case, a combined analysis and / or a more complex test plan is required compared to keeping the characteristics constant.

[0023] In a preferred method variant, a volume value is determined as a hearing threshold for the audio (specifically, as a value of the hearing threshold) which has been indicated as being ("not yet") audible in at least two sound groups, in particular in more than 50% of the sound groups, from which an estimated value for the hearing threshold can be derived (i.e. in which preferably neither all sounds nor no sounds have been indicated as audible), i.e. in particular, according to the indication of the test person, this volume value can be derived as the lowest audible volume value. In the sense of the previously described exemplary embodiment, if an audible sound is indicated on the test person side in a subsequent sound group containing the volume values ​​35, 40 and 45 dB HL, the volume value 45 dB HL is set as the value of the hearing threshold.

[0024] In an advantageous method variant, for a portion of the sound groups, sounds are selected which have a volume value below the volume value that is audible at least to the test person (in each case). Preferably, for this sound, the volume value is even selected so that the sound is inaudible independently of the test person, i.e., preferably below the volume value that is audible to a person without hearing impairment (the hearing threshold of a person with normal hearing is usually 0 dB HL, which at 1000 Hz also corresponds to approximately 3 dB SPL; in this method variant, the volume value is preferably set to -10 dBHL "for safety reasons"). Preferably, such a sound group alternates with a "normal" sound group (i.e., a sound group with a volume value that is at least potentially audible to the test person). Thus, it is advantageously possible to achieve a control of the response to a so-called "false positive" (English: "false positive"). For the case where the test person has also repeatedly described all sounds as audible in such a sound group, for example, a warning or error notification is output. In particular, this variant can be implemented simply with regard to the automation of the method described here and in the following, since only the volume value has to be changed.

[0025] In an alternative (or optionally additional) method variant, the number of included sounds also varies between the respective sound groups. Here, an "excessive description" of the sounds (i.e., more sounds are perceived than the number of sounds presented) can also lead to the conclusion that the test person made an "incorrect" description. It is also conceivable that for this control, sound groups with only one reproduced sound are also presented individually, or in extreme cases, sound groups without sounds (or, if necessary, with sounds that are inaudible at least to the test person, preferably to a person with normal hearing), and preferably sound groups with the duration of the entire sound group, which is similar to the sound groups with multiple sounds.

[0026] In order to further increase the error resistance, in an expedient method variant the duration of the individual sounds is varied within a sound group and / or between sound groups.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the duration of the gaps ("pauses") between the individual sounds is varied. This temporal variation reduces the likelihood that a tester will successfully attempt to estimate the duration of a sound group and, for example, infer the number of sounds contained therein.

[0028] In addition, the order of the sounds, in particular the order of the volume values ​​(and optionally the audio) within a sound group and preferably also between sound groups, is also changed. In other words, not only a descending (i.e. decreasing) or ascending order but also a mixed order (e.g. volume values ​​in the order 55, 45 and 50 dB HL) is presented.

[0029] In a further optional method variant, a sound group that has already been presented once is presented again, in particular with an interval (ie after a plurality of further sound groups). This can further increase the accuracy of the estimation of the value of the hearing threshold.

[0030] In particular, for the case where no sound is described as audible in a sound group, at least one sound is output in a subsequent sound group, which has a volume value increased by, for example, 5 dB relative to the highest volume value of the previous sound group.

[0031] In the case where all sounds in a sound group are described as audible, preferably in the next sound group a sound is output which includes a volume value which is, for example, 10 dB lower than the lowest volume value of the previous sound group.

[0032] For the case where the highest volume value (particularly tolerable for a hearing person or also the maximum outputtable) is (preferably twice) described as inaudible, the method here and below is preferably continued with a new subset of the sound group with further audio sounds.

[0033] Advantageously, an adaptation phase is performed before the actual determination of the hearing threshold, i.e., in particular, before the selection of the first sound group. In this case, in particular in the case of using the same audio frequency or the same frequency range (in the sense of modulated sounds, tones or narrowband sounds) for all sounds, the sounds used for the subsequent sound groups, in particular for the subsequent subsets of the sound groups, are played to the test person. This allows the test person to make settings for the subsequent tests.

[0034] In a preferred method variant, the sound set is presented by means of an output transducer, in particular by means of a loudspeaker of a hearing device, preferably a hearing aid.

[0035] In an advantageous method variant, the control of the output converter, in particular the front loudspeaker of the hearing device, the query of the test person and in particular also the previously described changes to the subsequent sound group, i.e. at least the sound of its corresponding part, are carried out by a separate control device. In other words, the previously described method is therefore preferably controlled (or also: "processed") by the control device. Preferably, the control device is a mobile terminal device, preferably a smartphone, a tablet or the like, with an executable software application (App) installed, which is designed to preferably automatically carry out the previously described method when it is executed on the mobile terminal device. In particular, the control device comprises a microprocessor with a data memory on which the above-mentioned application is stored. In the intended operation, the microprocessor processes the commands contained in the program code of the application, so that the previously described method is carried out.

[0036] The computer program product according to the invention therefore preferably forms the above-mentioned application and therefore has a program code with commands which, when executed by a processor, in particular by the above-mentioned microprocessor, cause the program code to carry out the method described above, in particular automatically.

[0037] The method for setting hearing device parameters of a hearing device (specifically, the previously described hearing device, preferably a hearing aid) of a test person according to the present invention comprises the previously described method for determining the hearing threshold of the test person. Furthermore, after determining the hearing threshold, specifically its value, preferably the trend of the hearing threshold on a plurality of audio frequencies, a signal processing algorithm of the hearing device is adjusted based on the hearing threshold. Preferably, the function for setting the hearing device parameters is also included in the previously described application.

[0038] The hearing device system according to the invention comprises at least a hearing device and is configured to perform the previously described method for determining the hearing threshold of a test person, preferably automatically and at least partially interactively with a test person. To this end, the hearing device system preferably comprises the previously described mobile terminal device. Therefore, in particular under the control of the terminal device, the hearing device system according to the invention is configured to present a plurality of sound groups to the test person in sequence by means of an output transducer, in particular a hearing device, the plurality of sound groups mostly comprising a plurality of sounds, in particular a plurality of sounds having characteristics that remain unchanged in each sound group, but preferably at least partially different from each other. In addition, the hearing device system is configured to ask the test person after each presentation of one of the sound groups to indicate the number of sounds perceived from the presented (i.e., in particular the immediately preceding) sound group, and, depending on the number of perceived sounds, to present the subsequent sound group, at least the characteristics of at least a portion of the sounds (in the subsequent sound group) are changed relative to the preceding sound group. Furthermore, the hearing device system is configured to then present the changed subsequent sound groups to the test person and to estimate at least one value of the test person's hearing threshold, in particular a single, preferably frequency-specific value and / or a trend over a plurality of audio frequencies, depending on the number of sounds perceived in each of the presented (in particular at least two, preferably more than two) sound groups.

[0039] Therefore, the hearing instrument system and the previously mentioned method according to the invention (and also the computer program product when implemented by a processor) share the same advantages and material features that result from the corresponding description.

[0040] Here and below, the conjunction “and / or” is to be understood in particular to mean that the features connected by means of this conjunction can be constituted both together and as an alternative to one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0042] Figure 1 A hearing device system is schematically shown, and

[0043] Figure 2 A method performed by a hearing device system is shown in a schematic flow chart.

[0044] In all the figures, parts which correspond to one another are always provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1In the figure, a hearing device system 1 is schematically shown, which is configured and arranged for taking care of a person with impaired hearing. The hearing device system 1 comprises a hearing device 2, which is constructed as a hearing aid, in the current embodiment as a hearing aid worn behind the ear. Here, the hearing device 2 has two microphones 4 as electronic components, a loudspeaker 6 as an output converter and a signal processor 8. In the prescribed operation, the microphone 4 collects ambient sounds and forwards these ambient sounds to the signal processor 8 in the form of electrical microphone signals. A signal processing algorithm runs on the latter, and the parameters of the signal processing algorithm enable the hearing device 2 to be matched to the type and severity of the hearing impairment of the person and to be specifically reflected in the prescribed operation. For example, frequency-specific amplification values ​​are predefined by parameters in order to specifically increase microphone signals whose volume values ​​are below the value of the hearing threshold of the person and thereby make them audible to the person (also referred to as "hearing device wearer"). Subsequently, the processed microphone signal is output via the loudspeaker 6.

[0046] In order to determine the correct parameters, an audiogram of the person is regularly created. In order to automatically create an audiogram, the hearing device system 1 has a control device 10 which is configured to perform the following operations in an interactive manner with the person according to Figure 2 The method is described in more detail. Specifically, the control device 10 is formed by a mobile terminal, in particular a smartphone 12, on which control software (also referred to as "computer program product", hereinafter also referred to as "application 14") is installed in an executable manner. In the intended operation, the smartphone 12 is in a wireless communication connection 16 with the hearing instrument 2.

[0047] In a first method step 20 (see Figure 2 ), a sound (in the present embodiment, a pure sinusoidal tone with a specific frequency, specifically and exemplarily a 2000 Hz pure sinusoidal tone) is played to the person (in this case representing the test person). If the person hears the (sinusoidal) sound, a test can be started to determine the frequency-specific values ​​of the hearing threshold of the person. Method step 20 represents the acclimatization phase.

[0048] As an alternative to pure sine tones, modulated sine tones, tones or narrowband noises having a frequency range from approximately the third to the octave can also be used.

[0049] In a second method step 30, a first sound group with three sounds having different volume values ​​(e.g. 60, 50 and 55 dB HL) is arranged by the control device and presented, ie played, to the person via the loudspeaker 6 of the hearing device 2. The individual sounds are each separated from one another by a pause.

[0050] In a subsequent method step 40 , the person is asked (specifically, a corresponding question is displayed on the smartphone 12 and optionally also read aloud) how many sounds the person can hear.

[0051] In a further method step 50, the response that the person has entered on the smartphone 12 is analyzed and three new sounds (with the same audio) with partially changed volume values ​​are programmed for the further sound group. In the event that the person states that three sounds have been heard, three new sounds are programmed, the loudest of which has a volume value that is 10 dB lower than the softest volume value in the previous sound group (i.e., 45, 40, and 35 dB HL in the present embodiment). These sounds are presented within the scope of the further sound group in a subsequent method step 60. If, on the other hand, no sound has been heard, three sounds with changed volume values ​​are again provided in method step 60, wherein the volume values ​​are at least 5 dB louder than the loudest volume value in the previous sound group, i.e., 65, 70, and 75 dB HL in this case.

[0052] If at least one sound is not perceived in the first or one of the subsequent sound groups, the volume values ​​are sorted in ascending order and a number of unheard sounds, starting with the lowest volume value, are "deleted". In this case, the lowest "remaining" volume value is used as the estimated value for the hearing threshold. Thus, if, by way of example, when three sounds with volume values ​​of 50, 55 and 60 dB HL are presented, it is stated from the person's side that two sounds have been heard (which therefore corresponds to one unperceived sound), the estimated value is set to 55 dB HL. In the case that all received sounds in the first or immediately subsequent sound group are stated as having been heard or no sound is stated as having been heard, in other words, an estimated value for the hearing threshold cannot yet be set in the first place.

[0053] In this case, the pauses (ie, time gaps) between the individual sounds and the length of the sounds themselves vary within a sound group and between sound groups.

[0054] After method step 60 , the process returns to method step 40 , where the person's response is obtained and evaluated in method step 50 .

[0055] If, during repeated presentations of a volume value corresponding to an estimated value of the hearing threshold, this volume value is also repeatedly stated as the lowest audible volume value (for more than 50% of the presentations relative to this volume value), the method proceeds to the subsequent method step 70 and sets this estimated value as the ("final" or "confirmed") value of the hearing threshold. In other words, if this volume value has been determined as the lowest audible value (and has therefore been taken into account as an estimated value) for more than 50% of all presentations of a sound group (which contains at least one sound with the same volume value), this volume value is set as the value of the hearing threshold in method step 70. The method then jumps back to method step 20 or method step 30 and the same method is executed again with the new audio.

[0056] If the values ​​of the hearing threshold are determined for each audio frequency, for example in steps of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 to 4000 Hz, then on this basis in a further method step 80 the parameters are reset / predetermined and sent to the hearing instrument 2 .

[0057] The content of the present invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments. More specifically, other embodiments of the present invention can be derived from the previous description by those skilled in the art. In particular, the individual features of the present invention described according to different embodiments and their design variations can also be combined with each other in other ways.

[0058] Reference numerals list

[0059] 1 Hearing Device System

[0060] 2 Hearing devices

[0061] 4 Microphones

[0062] 6 Speakers

[0063] 8 Signal Processor

[0064] 10 Control Equipment

[0065] 12 Smartphone

[0066] 14 Applications

[0067] 16 Communication Connection

[0068] 20 Methods and Steps

[0069] 30 Methods and Steps

[0070] 40 Methods and Steps

[0071] 50 Methods and Steps

[0072] 60 Methods and Steps

[0073] 70 Methods and Steps

[0074] 80 Methods and Steps

Claims

1. A method for determining the hearing threshold of a test person, wherein: According to the method, - presenting a plurality of sound groups to the test person in sequence by means of an output transducer (6), said sound groups usually comprising a plurality of sounds, said output transducer being formed by a loudspeaker, a bone conduction earpiece or a cochlear implant, - after each presentation of one of the sound groups, asking the tester to indicate the number of sounds perceived from the presented sound group, - in order to present a subsequent set of sounds, changing the characteristics of at least a part of the sounds relative to the preceding set of sounds, depending on the number of sounds perceived, and presenting the subsequent set of sounds to the test person, and - estimating at least one value of the hearing threshold of the test person as a function of the number of sounds perceived in each of the presented sound sets, It is characterized in that In the sound group, - the duration of each sound, - the duration of the gaps between individual sounds, - the order of volume values, and The number of sounds contained in the corresponding sound groups is changed. or In the sound group, - the duration of each sound, - the order of volume values, and - the number of sounds contained in the corresponding sound group is changed, or In the sound group, - the duration of the gaps between individual sounds, - the order of volume values, and The number of sounds contained in the corresponding sound groups is changed, or, In the sound group, - the duration of each sound, - the duration of the gaps between individual sounds, and - The order of volume values ​​has been changed, and, The control of the output transducer (6), the interrogation of the test person and the change of the corresponding part of the sound of the subsequent sound group are carried out by a separate control device (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, in, Each sound in the corresponding sound group is assigned a different volume value as a characteristic.

3. The method according to claim 2, in, In order to determine the hearing threshold of at least a first subset of sound groups in a frequency-dependent manner, the sounds of each sound group of the first subset are assigned the same audio frequency or the same frequency range as a characteristic.

4. The method according to claim 2, in, In order to present the subsequent sound group, as a characteristic, the volume value of at least a part of the sounds is changed.

5. The method according to claim 4, in, The volume level of at least a portion of the sounds is selected based on an estimate of a hearing threshold, the estimate being selected based on an amount of the sounds perceived in one or more of the front sound groups.

6. The method according to claim 2, in, The step size of the volume values ​​between the individual sounds of a sound group is chosen to be constant between the individual sound groups.

7. The method according to claim 1, in, Each sound within the corresponding sound group is assigned a different audio frequency or a different frequency range as a characteristic.

8. The method according to claim 1, in, The volume values ​​that were reported by the test person to be audible for more than 50% of the sound groups from which an estimated value for the hearing threshold can be derived in each case are determined as hearing thresholds for the audio.

9. The method according to claim 2, in, A portion of the sound groups contains sounds having a volume value that is below a volume value that is audible at least to a person with normal hearing.

10. The method according to claim 1, in, Vary the duration of individual sounds and / or the gaps between individual sounds between groups of sounds.

11. The method according to claim 1, in, The output converter (6) is controlled as well as the questioning of the test person and the change of the corresponding part of the sound of the subsequent sound group by means of a mobile terminal (12) with an executable application (14) installed as a separate control device (10).

12. The method according to claim 1, in, The plurality of sounds each have characteristics that remain the same within a sound group.

13. A computer program product (14) having a program code with commands which, when the program code is executed by a processor, cause the program code to carry out the method according to claim 1.

14. A method for setting hearing device parameters of a hearing device (2) of a test person, wherein: According to the method, the hearing threshold of a test person is determined by means of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a signal processing algorithm of the hearing instrument (2) is subsequently adjusted based on the hearing threshold.

15. A hearing device system (1), comprising at least one hearing device (2) and being configured to: - presenting a plurality of sound groups to the test person in sequence by means of an output converter (6), wherein the sound groups mostly contain a plurality of sounds, - after each presentation of one of the sound groups, asking the tester to indicate the number of sounds perceived from the presented sound group, - in order to present a subsequent set of sounds, changing the characteristics of at least a part of the sounds relative to the previous set of sounds, depending on the number of sounds perceived, and presenting the subsequent set of sounds to the test person, and - estimating at least one value of the hearing threshold of the test person as a function of the number of sounds perceived in each of the presented sound sets, It is characterized in that -In the sound group, the duration of each sound, the duration of the gaps between individual sounds, The order of volume values, and The number of sounds contained in the corresponding sound groups is changed, or -In the sound group, the duration of each sound, The order of volume values, and The number of sounds contained in the corresponding sound groups is changed, or -In the sound group, the duration of the gaps between individual sounds, The order of volume values, and The number of sounds contained in the corresponding sound groups is changed, or, In the sound group, the duration of each sound, the duration of the gaps between individual sounds, and The order of volume values ​​has been changed. and, The hearing instrument system (1) comprises a separate control device (10), by means of which the control of the output transducer (6), the interrogation of the test person and the changing of the corresponding parts of the sounds of the subsequent sound set are carried out.

16. The hearing device system (1) according to claim 15, wherein: The plurality of sounds each have characteristics that remain the same within a sound group.

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