METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MASKING INTENSITY IN A CONTRALATERAL EAR AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Description

[0001] L'invention concerne l'audiométrie tonale.

[0002] Des méthodes de test audiométriques sont connues de US-2004 / 097826-A1, JP-S56139740-A, WHITTLE ET AL: "A determination of the normal threshold of hearing by bone conduction", JOURNAL OF SOUND AND VIBRATION, vol. 2, no. 3, juillet 1965, ISSN: 0022-460X, DOI: 10.1016 / 0022-460X(65)90110-0, DOBIE R A ET AL: "Binaural interaction in auditory brain-stem responses: effects of masking", ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY / EVOKED POTENTIALS SECTION, vol. 62, no. 1, janvier 1985, ISSN: 0168-5597, DOI: 10.1016 / 0168-5597(85)90035-8, et MARKLE O M ET AL: "The audiometer weber test as a means of determining the need for, and type of, masking", ANN. OTOL., ETC. 1952, vol. 61, no. 3, 1952, pages 888-900.

[0003] Audiometric testing procedures allow for the discreet measurement, via bone and air transmission, of hearing thresholds to form an audiogram over a sound range extending, for example, from 125 to 8000 Hertz (usually, Hertz are noted as Hz hereafter) in air transmission and from 250 to 6000Hz in bone transmission.

[0004] A series of test sounds is applied to the ear being tested, for example, via headphones using air conduction or a vibrator using bone conduction. The patient is asked to press the response button as soon as they hear a test sound.

[0005] The audiometric test can be inaccurate if the test tone is perceived by the contralateral ear (i.e., the untested ear). Therefore, the test tone must be masked by a masking tone applied to the contralateral ear via air conduction, usually through headphones. However, the masking tone must not prevent the test tone from being perceived by the tested ear. The masking tone that meets these requirements is determined based on the Rinne test (i.e., the difference (in dB) between air conduction and bone conduction) and the properties of transcranial transfer (transmission of the test tone to the contralateral ear). To estimate the Rinne, in the state of the art, an air conduction audiogram and a bone conduction audiogram without masking are performed beforehand, before performing the same examinations while masking the contralateral ear using the Rinne thus obtained.Performing these audiograms lengthens the duration of the audiometric test while providing an inaccurate estimate of the Rinne since no masking is performed during the performance of these audiograms.

[0006] To overcome these drawbacks, the invention relates to an audiometric testing method comprising the following steps: Simultaneous application (S50) of a test sound to a tested ear (210) of a patient comprising a test intensity, and of a masking sound, comprising a masking intensity, to a contralateral ear (220) to mask the test sound, the process being characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following two pairs of steps: The first set of subsequent steps: Determining a theoretical Rinne value from a hypothetical transcranial transfer function, and determining the masking intensity from the theoretical Rinne value. The second set of subsequent steps: Determining a theoretical transcranial transfer function from a hypothetical Rinne value, and determining the masking intensity from the theoretical transcranial transfer function.

[0007] For example, in air conduction, the hypothetical transcranial transfer is between 40 dB and 80 dB; for example, it is equal to 50 dB (decibels are commonly denoted dB hereafter). In bone conduction, the hypothetical transcranial transfer is between -10 dB and 20 dB. The origin of these values ​​is given in Appendices 1 and 2.

[0008] For example, the hypothetical Rinne is between 0 and 70 dB.

[0009] Thus, the masking intensity is determined without requiring prior bone conduction and air conduction audiometry. The invention therefore allows for faster audiometric diagnosis of a patient. The masking intensity is determined from a theoretical Rinne value obtained from a hypothesis transcranial transfer (i.e., a hypothesis about a transcranial transfer) or from a theoretical transcranial transfer obtained from a hypothesis Rinne value (i.e., a hypothesis about the Rinne). Alternatively, the masking intensity is determined by testing several Rinne or transcranial transfer values.

[0010] In one embodiment, the process comprises at least one of the following two step doublets (therefore, possibly both doublets at the same time), the patient (200) comprising a transcranial transfer: First set of steps: Repeating the following two steps: Determining a current Rinne, Determining (S30) that the current Rinne is compatible, if there exists a current intensity such that if the masking intensity is equal to the current intensity and the Rinne of the test ear (210) or the contralateral ear (220) is equal to the current Rinne, then the test sound is not perceived by the contralateral ear (220) and the masking sound does not prevent the perception of the test sound by the tested ear (210), Determining a masking intensity from a maximum compatible current Rinne determined during the repetition step, Second set of steps: Repeating the following two steps: Determining a current transcranial transfer, Determining (S30) that the current transcranial transfer is compatible, if a current intensity exists,such that if the masking intensity is equal to the current intensity and the patient's transcranial transfer (200) is equal to the current transcranial transfer, then the test sound is not perceived by the contralateral ear (220) and the masking sound does not prevent the perception of the test sound by the tested ear (210). Determination of a masking intensity from a maximum compatible current transcranial transfer determined during the repetition step.

[0011] By repetition, we mean that the (two) steps above can be carried out two or more times (for the same test sound).

[0012] In one embodiment, the (two) steps are repeated, for the first doublet of steps, until the current Rinne is compatible, or for the second doublet of steps, until the transcranial transfer is compatible.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the step of determining a current Rinne includes a step of decrementing the current Rinne by one step, the process further comprising a step of initializing the current Rinne to an initialization Rinne.

[0014] Alternatively, current Rinne values ​​can be swept in different ways (according to an increasing current Rinne for example).

[0015] According to one embodiment, the initial Rinne value is between 55 dB and 65 dB, preferably equal to 60 dB. This initial Rinne value is higher than the actual Rinne value of most patients.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the step size is between 1 dB and 20 dB, preferably equal to 5 dB.

[0017] According to one embodiment, if the maximum compatible current Rinne is less than a minimum threshold, an alarm message is sent (and displayed).

[0018] The minimum threshold is, for example, between 0 dB and 45 dB, for example, 40 dB. This minimum threshold value is determined from the results of a previously obtained Weber test. For example, the testing procedure includes a Weber test, and if the Weber test is lateralized to the better ear, we are likely dealing with sensorineural hearing loss (i.e., originating in the inner ear). The minimum threshold could, for example, be between 0 and 30 dB, and for example, be 20 dB, because the Rinne test result should not be significant. Conversely, if the Weber test is lateralized to the worse ear, we are likely dealing with conductive or mixed hearing loss (i.e., affecting the outer or middle ear). The minimum threshold could, for example, in this case be between 25 and 65 dB and be set at 40 dB because a sufficiently low Rinne test result is unlikely.

[0019] Thus, the audiometric test according to the invention may include questioning the patient to determine their better ear and a Weber test, in which the minimum threshold is between 0 and 40 dB if the Weber test is lateralized to the side of the better ear and between 25 and 65 dB if the Weber test is lateralized to the side opposite the better ear. For some patients, the actual Rinne test result may indeed be below the minimum threshold and possibly even be zero (i.e., equal to 0 dB).

[0020] For example, the step of determining whether the current Rinne (or the theoretical Rinne) is compatible includes the following steps: Calculation, based on the test intensity (and the current Rinne test), of an effectiveness threshold for the masking intensity above which the test sound cannot be perceived by the contralateral ear; Calculation, based on the test intensity (and the current Rinne test), of a resonance threshold for the masking intensity below which the masking sound does not prevent the perception of the test sound (in other words: below which the test sound is perceived in the presence of the masking sound) by the tested ear; A step comparing the effectiveness threshold and the resonance threshold. The current Rinne (or the theoretical Rinne) is compatible if the effectiveness threshold is less than or equal to the impact threshold.

[0021] For example, the audiometric test being carried out in air conduction (i.e.: the test sound is applied to the tested ear in air conduction, for example using headphones, and the masking sound is applied to the contralateral ear in air conduction, for example using headphones), and the calculation of the resonance threshold is carried out from the current Rinne.

[0022] For example, in air conduction, the threshold for resonance is equal to: SR = IT − Rinne courant oreille testée + TTC − RSBR , where SR is the threshold of audibility (in dB), IT is the test intensity (in dB), TTC is the transcranial transfer (in dB), (in other words: a hypothesis about the transcranial transfer, since this cannot be measured on the patient) current Rinne of the tested ear is the current Rinne of the tested ear (210). RSBR is the signal-to-noise ratio (so that the masking sound applied to the contralateral ear does not prevent the test sound from being heard in the test ear).

[0023] For example, in bone conduction (i.e., the test sound is applied to the ear being tested via bone conduction, for example using a vibrator, and the masking sound is applied to the contralateral ear via air conduction, for example using headphones), the threshold of audibility is equal to: SR = IT + TTC − RSBR , with the same notations as above.

[0024] For example, the signal-to-noise ratio RSBR is less than 10 dB, for example equal to 0 dB.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the calculation of the efficiency threshold is carried out from the current Rinne.

[0026] For example, in air conduction, the efficiency threshold is equal to: SE = IT − TTC + RSBE + Rinne courant contro , with the same notations as above, and where SE is the effectiveness threshold (in dB), Rinne current contro is the Rinne current of the contralateral ear, RSBE is the signal-to-noise ratio (so that the masking sound covers the test sound in the contralateral ear).

[0027] For example, in bone conduction, the effectiveness threshold is equal to: SE = IT + RSBE + Rinne courant contro , with the same notations as above.

[0028] For example, the signal-to-noise ratio RSBE is greater than 15 dB, for example equal to (+)20 dB.

[0029] For example, in air conduction, transcranial transfer ranges from 40 dB to 80 dB; for instance, it might be 50 dB. In bone conduction, transcranial transfer ranges from -10 dB to 20 dB. The value of transcranial transfer can be adjusted according to the frequency, in both air and bone conduction.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the Rinne value of the contralateral ear can take (in other words: be replaced by) a fixed value equal to: A value based on the threshold of an air conduction audiogram of the contralateral ear if this is (previously) known (for the frequency of the test tone, and this previous audiometric test may be part of the method according to the invention), for example, the audiogram threshold divided by a value greater than 2, for example, by 3, for example, if the Weber test is lateralized to the side of the better ear, or alternatively by a value between 1 and 4, for example equal to 1.5 if the Weber test is lateralized to the side of the worse ear, or a Rinne value of the contralateral ear estimated from a previous audiometric test (and this previous audiometric test may be part of the method according to the invention) (for example, if the choice of test tones is made by a Gaussian process,The Rinne value of the contralateral ear can be obtained from the initialization of this Gaussian process, which can be performed for both ears in bone conduction and air conduction, before starting the selection of test sounds by the Gaussian process for both ears in bone conduction and air conduction, or from the current Rinne estimate when the Gaussian process is triggered.

[0031] The repetition step is not performed on the Rinne test of the contralateral ear in this case (but on the Rinne test of the ear being tested).

[0032] According to one embodiment, the Rinne (for example theoretical) cannot exceed a maximum threshold, for example 60 dB. For example, if the function value of the air conduction audiogram is greater than the maximum threshold, the Rinne (for example theoretical) is reduced to the upper threshold.

[0033] According to one embodiment, during the step of determining the masking intensity, the current Rinne value is set to the maximum compatible current Rinne value: If the effectiveness threshold and the impact threshold are equal, then the masking intensity takes the value of the effectiveness threshold, where If the effectiveness threshold is less than the impact threshold, then the masking intensity takes an intermediate value between the effectiveness and impact thresholds (inclusive), for example the arithmetic mean of the impact threshold and the effectiveness threshold.

[0034] According to one variant, the theoretical Rinne can be determined by bone conduction, by solving the equation:

[0035] By construction, this theoretical Rinne is compatible, of course.

[0036] According to a variant, in the same way, a theoretical transcranial transfer can be determined in bone conduction, by solving the same equation, from a hypothetical Rinne (in other words: from a hypothesis about the theoretical Rinne).

[0037] The masking intensity then takes, for example, the SE efficiency threshold as defined above.

[0038] According to one variant, the step of determining whether the current Rinne test is compatible includes the following steps: Calculation of sufficient intensity to mask the test sound in the contralateral ear from the test intensity (and possibly the current Rinne test), Calculation of the resonance of the masking sound in the ear to be tested from the sufficient intensity (and possibly the current Rinne test), the current Rinne test is compatible if the resonance of the masking sound is less than the test intensity plus a signal-to-noise ratio, for example equal to 0 dB.

[0039] For example, the masking intensity is capped at a high threshold, for example, 85 dB. For example, if the value of the air conduction audiogram is higher than the threshold, the Rinne test is reduced to the high threshold.

[0040] Instead of determining a theoretical Rinne value from an assumption about transcranial transfer, a theoretical transcranial transfer can be determined from an assumption about the Rinne value without departing from the scope of the invention, in a manner analogous to that described in this application for determining the theoretical Rinne value. The characteristics according to the invention for the case where a theoretical transcranial transfer is determined from an assumption about the Rinne value are analogous to the case where a theoretical Rinne value is determined from an assumption about transcranial transfer. Therefore, these characteristics are not detailed here.

[0041] According to one embodiment: The audiometric test is performed by air conduction, and the ear tested (first) is the better ear (comprising an opposite ear), the test method then comprising an audiometric test of the ear opposite the tested ear by air conduction (according to the invention), where the audiometric test is performed by bone conduction, and the ear tested is the ear where a Weber test was lateralized (the method according to the invention may include, for example, the Weber test), the test method then comprising an audiometric test of the ear opposite the tested ear by bone conduction (according to the invention).

[0042] Thus, we start with the ear that is best in air conduction, and with the ear that probably has the greatest Rinne in bone conduction (the ear where the Weber test was lateralized).

[0043] The method according to the invention can be carried out (in other words: implemented) by an electronic audiometric testing device. The electronic device may include an electronic central processing unit (for example, contained in a mobile phone or electronic tablet) and headphones or inserts, or loudspeakers for delivering sounds to the ear and masking the contralateral ear in air transmission. In bone conduction, one or more vibrators are used. The acquisition of information indicating whether a sound is heard or not can be achieved by a button that the patient presses when they hear a sound, or by voice command or image detection.

[0044] The invention therefore also relates to an electronic audiometric testing device configured to implement the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0045] The invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to the invention.

[0046] The characteristics and advantages of the electronic device and the computer program are identical to those of the process, therefore they are not repeated here.

[0047] An element such as an electronic audiometric test device, a central processing unit, or another element is understood to be "configured to" perform a step or operation by the fact that the element includes means to (in other words, "is designed to" or "is adapted to") perform the step or operation. These are preferably electronic means, for example, a computer program, data in memory, and / or specialized electronic circuits.

[0048] When a step or operation is performed by such an element, it generally implies that the element has means to (in other words, "is designed for" or "is adapted to") perform the step or operation. These means can also include, for example, electronic means, such as a computer program, data in memory, and / or specialized electronic circuits.

[0049] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig.1 ] represents an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig.2 ] represents the process according to the invention, in an example of an embodiment, implemented by the electronic device of the [ Fig.1 ]. Fig.3Mean estimates of transcranial transfer obtained by ECSP measurements for open (solid line) and occluded (dashed line) ear canals, and obtained by BC (Bone Conducted) auditory thresholds for open (dashed line) and occluded (dashed line) ear canals. The standard deviation results, denoted SD, use the same symbols for the legend. Detailed description of an example embodiment of the invention

[0050] With reference to figures 1 and 2 For a bone conduction audiometric test, in order to determine the masking intensity for a test intensity, at step S10, the central unit 110 initializes a current Rinne control at 60 dB in memory, and at step S20, the central unit 110 calculates SE and SR such that: SR = IT + 50 , And SE = IT + 20 + Rinne courant contro , where SE is the effectiveness threshold (in dB), SR is the impact threshold (in dB), IT is the test intensity (in dB), Rinne current contro is the Rinne current of the contralateral ear.

[0051] We are therefore assuming here a transcranial transfer of 50 dB.

[0052] At step S30, SE and SR are compared by the central unit 110. If SR=SE, then the Rinne control is the maximum compatible current Rinne, and the masking intensity is equal to SR (and SE). If SR=SE or SE <SR, alors le Rinne contro est le Rinne courant compatible maximal, et l'intensité de masquage est égale à la moyenne arithmétique du seuil de masquage et du seuil d'efficacité. Toutefois, si l'intensité de masquage ainsi déterminée est supérieure à 85 dB, elle est ramenée à 85 dB. Si SR=SE ou SE<SR, alors le procédé se poursuit à l'étape S50. A l'étape S40, si SE> SR, then the current Rinne control is decremented by 5 dB, and the process continues to step S20.

[0053] At step S50, the central unit commands the transmission of a test tone to the tested ear 210, the tone having a test intensity, and a masking tone to the contralateral ear 220 via the headphones 120. If the current Rinne control (i.e., the maximum compatible Rinne) is less than 40 dB, then an alert message is transmitted to a screen (not shown for display). The alert message includes, for example, the following text: "Audiometry inconclusive - Rainville ipsilateral masking audiometry recommended for confirmation."

[0054] In air conduction, steps S10 to S50 can be performed, but with: SR = IT − Rinne courant oreille testée + 50 , And SE = IT − 50 + 20 + Rinne courant contro , where SE is the effectiveness threshold (in dB), SR is the impact threshold (in dB), IT is the test intensity (in dB), Rinne current contro is the Rinne current of the contralateral ear, Rinne current tested ear is the Rinne current of the tested ear.

[0055] The current Rinne tested can be initialized at step S10 and decremented at step S30, simultaneously with the current Rinne control, in a loop nested with the one where the current Rinne control is decremented or in a different loop.

[0056] Rinne current control can be replaced by one of the following fixed values: A value based on the threshold of an air conduction audiogram of the contralateral ear if this is (previously) known (for the frequency of the test sound, and this previous audiometric test may be part of the method according to the invention), for example, the audiogram threshold divided by 3 (for example, if the Weber test is lateralized to the side of the better ear) or 1.5 (if the Weber test is lateralized to the side of the worse ear), or a Rinne value of the contralateral ear estimated from a previous audiometric test (and this previous audiometric test may be part of the method according to the invention) (for example, if the choice of test sounds is carried out by a Gaussian process, the Rinne value of the contralateral ear can be obtained from the initialization of this Gaussian process which can be carried out for both ears in bone conduction and in air conduction,before starting the selection of test sounds using the Gaussian process for both ears in bone conduction and air conduction, or from the Rinne test derived from the threshold estimation of the Gaussian process).

[0057] The initialization and decrement steps of the Rinne test of the contralateral ear are not performed in this case (but the Rinne test of the ear to be tested is).

[0058] Alternatively, the central unit can determine a masking intensity, for example from a 10 dB bone conduction test sound, as follows:

[0059] The test tone arrives in the contralateral ear at 10 dB. The central processing unit determines that 90 dB is sufficient to mask (airborne transmission) in the contralateral ear, with a contralateral Rinne assumption of 60 dB (the signal-to-noise ratio for the masking tone to mask the test tone being set at 20 dB). With a transcranial transmission of 50 dB, the tested ear receives 40 dB of the masking tone, which prevents the test tone from being heard in the tested ear (the signal-to-noise ratio is -30 dB).

[0060] With a contralateral Rinne assumption of 40 dB, 70 dB is sufficient to mask the test sound in the contralateral ear. With a transcranial transfer of 50 dB, the tested ear receives 20 dB of the masking sound, preventing the test sound from being heard in the tested ear (the signal-to-noise ratio is -10 dB).

[0061] With a contralateral Rinne assumption of 30 dB, 60 dB is sufficient to mask the test sound in the contralateral ear. With a transcranial transfer of 50 dB, the tested ear receives 10 dB of the masking sound, which does not prevent the test sound from being heard in the tested ear (the signal-to-noise ratio is 0 dB). Therefore, a masking intensity of 60 dB is required.

[0062] If the Weber was lateralized to the side of the good ear, the current Rinne control (i.e., the maximum compatible Rinne) is greater than the Rinne threshold value (e.g., 20 dB), and no alert message is displayed. However, if the Weber was lateralized to the side of the more deaf ear, the current Rinne control (i.e., the maximum compatible Rinne) is less than 40 dB, so an alert message is transmitted to a screen (not shown for display). The alert message might include, for example, the following text: "Audiometry inconclusive - Audiometry with ipsilateral Rainville masking recommended for confirmation."

[0063] According to one embodiment, the audiometric test for a patient is performed in the following chronological order: Patient interview to determine their better ear. Weber test: Binaural or frontal stimulation in bone conduction. We note which ear is lateralized to the sound. Air conduction test of the good ear. Air conduction test of the opposite ear. Bone conduction test of the ear towards which the sound is lateralized. Bone conduction test of the opposite ear.

[0064] Interviewing the patient helps determine what is likely their best ear.

[0065] For example, during the test procedure according to the invention, a Gaussian process can be implemented by the central unit 110 to determine the sounds to be tested, for example as described in the article by Schlittenlacher J, Turner RE, Moore BCJ. “Audiogram estimation using Bayesian active learning” (J Acoust Soc Am. 2018;144(1):421).

[0066] The method according to the invention can be carried out (i.e., implemented) by means of an electronic audiometric testing device 100. The electronic device 100 may include a central unit 110 and headphones 120 for applying sounds to the ear 210 and masking the contralateral ear 220 in air transmission of a patient 200. In bone transmission, one or more vibrators (not shown) are used for the tested ear 210 in combination with headphones in air transmission for masking the contralateral ear 220. The acquisition of information indicating whether a sound is heard or not can be achieved by a button 130 which the patient presses when they hear a sound.

[0067] APPENDIX 1: Origin of transcranial transfer values ​​in CA.

[0068] The following tables present the minimum interaural attenuation (minimum observable transcranial transfer) for the TDH-39 (on-ear) headphones and audiometric inserts (on-ear) • Katz, J., Lezynski, J. (2002). Clinical Masking. In J. Katz, ed., Handbook of Clinical Audiology, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. • Munro, KJ, Agnew, N. A comparison of inter-aural attenuation with the Etymotic ER-3A insert earphone and the Telephonics TDH-39 supra-aural earphone. Br J Audiol 1999; 33: 259-262. • Hall, JW., MUELLER, HG. (1997). The audiologists' desk reference, Volume I, Singular Publishing Group, San Diego. (On-ear headphones: TDH-39), specific for each audiometric frequency. Hz dB Bibliographic reference 125 35 Katz & Lezynski, (2002) 250 48 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 500 44 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 750 40 N / A - fulfill traditional approach 1000 48 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 1500 40 N / A - fulfill traditional approach 2000 44 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 3000 56 Hall JW III & Mueller GH III / Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 4000 50 Katz J / Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 6000 44 Hall JW III & Mueller GH III / Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 8000 42 Katz J / Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999)

[0069] Minimal IA (audiometric inserts), specific for each of the audiometric frequencies Hz dB Bibliographic reference 125 60 N / A - traditional value 250 72 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 500 64 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 750 60 N / A - traditional value 1000 58 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 1500 60 N / A - traditional value 2000 56 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 3000 58 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 4000 72 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 6000 54 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999) 8000 62 Munro & Agnew, BJA (1999)

[0070] APPENDIX 2: Origin of the values ​​given in transcranial transfer in CO

Claims

1. Audiometry test method comprising the following steps: - Simultaneous application (S50) of a test sound to a test ear (210) of a patient (200) comprising a test intensity, and of a masking sound, comprising a masking intensity, to a contralateral ear (220) to mask the test sound, the process being characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following two pairs of steps: - The first pair of following steps: - Determining a theoretical Rinne from a transcranial transfer, - Determining masking intensity from theoretical Rinne - Or, the second pair of steps below: - Determining a theoretical transcranial transfer from a theoretical Rinne, - Determining a masking intensity from a theoretical transcranial transfer.

2. Audiometry test method according to the preceding claim further comprising at least one of the following two double steps, the patient (200) comprising a transcranial transfer: - First double steps: - Repeat the following steps: - Determining a current Rinne, - Determining (S30) that the current Rinne is compatible, if there is a current intensity, such that if the masking intensity is equal to the current intensity and the Rinne of the test ear (210) or contralateral ear (220) is equal to the current Rinne, then the test sound is not perceived by the contralateral ear (220) and the masking sound does not prevent perception of the test sound by the test ear (210), - Determination of a masking intensity from a maximum compatible current Rinne determined during the repetition step, - Second double steps: - Repeat the following steps: - Determining a current transcranial transfer, - Determining (S30) that the current transcranial transfer is compatible, if there is a current intensity, such that if the masking intensity is equal to the current intensity and the patient's transcranial transfer (200) is equal to the current transcranial transfer, then the test sound is not perceived by the contralateral ear (220) and the masking sound does not prevent perception of the test sound by the tested ear (210), - Determination of a masking intensity from a maximum compatible current transcranial transfer determined during the repetition step.

3. An audiometry test method according to the preceding claim, wherein the audiometry test method comprises the first double steps, and wherein the step of determining a current Rinne comprises a step of decrementing (S40) the current Rinne by one step, the method further comprising a step of initializing (S10) the current Rinne to an initialization Rinne.

4. An audiometry test method according to any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the audiometry test method comprises the first double steps, and wherein if the maximum compatible current Rinne is below a minimum threshold, an alarm message is sent.

5. An audiometry test method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the audiometry test method comprises the first double steps, and wherein the step of determining that the current Rinne is compatible comprises the following steps: - Calculation of an efficacy threshold for the masking intensity above which the test sound cannot be perceived by the contralateral ear (220), based on the test intensity, - Calculation of a no-overmasking threshold for the masking intensity below which the masking sound does not prevent perception of the test sound by the ear under test (210), based on the test intensity, - A step to compare the efficacy threshold and the no-overmasking threshold, the current Rinne being compatible if the efficacy threshold is less than or equal to the no-overmasking threshold.

6. Audiometry test method according to claims 2 to 5, the audiometry test being performed in air-conduction, wherein the audiometry test method comprises the first double steps, and wherein the calculation of the efficacy threshold is performed from the current Rinne.

7. Audiometry test method according to claim 2 or 6, wherein the audiometry test method comprises the first double steps, and wherein the threshold calculation is performed on the basis of the current Rinne.

8. An audiometry test method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the audiometry test method comprises the first double steps, and wherein, during the step of determining the masking intensity, the current Rinne taking as its value the maximum compatible current Rinne: - If the efficacy threshold and the no-overmasking threshold are equal, then the masking intensity takes the efficacy threshold as its value, or - If the efficacy threshold is lower than the no-overmasking threshold, then the masking intensity takes on an intermediate value between the efficacy threshold and the no-overmasking threshold.

9. An audiometry test method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the audiometry test method comprises the second double steps, and wherein the step of determining that the current Rinne is compatible comprises the following steps: - Calculate an intensity sufficient to mask the test sound in the contralateral ear (220) from the test intensity, - Calculation of the impact of the masking sound in the test ear (210) based on the intensity, the current Rinne being compatible if the masking sound is less than the test intensity plus a signal-to-noise ratio.

10. Audiometry test method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which: - The audiometry test is performed in air-conduction, and the tested ear (210) is the better ear, the test method then comprising an audiometry test of the opposite ear (220) to the tested ear (210) in air-conduction, where - The audiometry test is carried out in bone-conduction, and the tested ear (210) is the ear towards which a Weber test was lateralized, the test method then comprising an audiometry test of the opposite ear (220) to the tested ear (210) in bone-conduction.

11. Electronic audiometry testing device (100) configured to implement the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Computer program comprising instructions that cause the device according to claim 11 to perform the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 10.