system for attaching audiometric transducers to the head of a user and its adaptable calibration system

Abstract

System for attaching transducers to the head of a user for performing audiometry in air stimulation and in vibratory stimulation. It comprises support means (1, 10, 20, 24) for two audiometric transducers (21) in air stimulation, each positionable at one of the auditory auricles or the external auditory canal, and at least one audiometric transducer (3, 13, 23) in vibratory stimulation, positionable at the desired stimulation zone depending on the chosen conduction mode (for example, one of the mastoids of the skull, forehead, soft tissues). Method for calibrating the transducers in vibratory stimulation fixed on a fixing system such as above. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 6

Description

Title of the invention: system for attaching audiometric transducers to the head of a user and its adaptable calibration system

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of auditory stimulation systems usable in audiometry for carrying out hearing tests. More specifically, it relates firstly to a method for calibrating a device with audiometric transducers for air stimulation and vibratory stimulation attached to the user's head for carrying out audiometry, and then to a system for holding the various devices, vibrators and earphones, used in clinical audiometry on the head to bilaterally test a patient's hearing in air stimulation and vibratory stimulation, without moving the headphones during the examination.In other words, it concerns a system for attaching transducers to the user's head for performing audiometry in air conduction and bone conduction, as well as a method for calibrating the transducer(s) in vibratory stimulation to enable their use when used with such a fixing system. Finally, the fixing system makes it possible to eliminate with certainty the contribution of air stimulation emanating from the vibrator occurring in the high frequencies when one only wishes to test vibratory conduction.

[0002] A pure tone audiogram, the ultimate hearing test, includes two types of audiometry that allow the health of a person's hearing system to be assessed with a sufficient degree of precision: air stimulation audiometry, which tests all the structures of the ear (outer, middle and inner ear), and vibration stimulation audiometry, which directly tests the inner ear using vibrations. Performing these two tests is essential to determine the type of deafness (sensorineural loss, conductive loss, mixed loss) of the patient.

[0003] In general, an audiogram of this type is carried out manually by an operator using an audiometer to which is connected a binaural headset for air stimulation and a monaural headset for vibration stimulation using exclusively bone conduction (placed on the forehead or the mastoid bone). Contralateral masking of the non-tested ear must also be carried out in certain cases, to avoid the possibility of erroneous responses, for example in the case of a significant interaural difference, or in the case of vibration stimulation for which transcranial transfer is almost zero. To carry out the tests, the operator places on the patient's skull either successively each of the headsets when masking is not necessary, or both headsets simultaneously when masking of the ear contralateral is necessary for the test in vibratory stimulation. In the present invention, as will be seen in more detail below, a comfortable attachment and fixation system is provided, which allows the correct and easy positioning on the head of all the transducers necessary for carrying out binaural audiometry in air and / or vibratory stimulation without repositioning the transducers and without human intervention.

[0004] The choice of positioning of the transducer vibrator in vibratory stimulation and / or the type of headset used in air stimulation imposes a particular requirement as to the calibration of the transducers, due to a modification of the occlusion of the ear induced by the cohabitation between the different transducers since, unlike existing solutions, there is simultaneous wearing of the transducers of the air and vibratory stimulation on the tested ear.

[0005] The invention therefore relates to a method for calibrating an audiometric transducer device for air stimulation and vibratory stimulation attached to the user's head for carrying out audiometry by emitting signals at frequencies below 20 kHz towards the head, comprising at least one vibratory transducer of the bone conduction vibrator type and an air stimulation device provided with at least one transducer, in a hearing aid or in the form of an auditory insert, the calibration method consisting of:

[0006] - the placement of the bone conduction vibrator(s) on the patient's head;

[0007] - the placement of the headset / inserts in air conduction on the patient;

[0008] - the selection of the following parameters:

[0009] • one or more tests to be carried out among the air stimulation or sti tests vibrational emulation and, for each of said tests,

[0010] • the ear(s) to be tested,

[0011] • the presence or absence of contralateral masking;

[0012] - the selection of the type of transducer used and their positioning;

[0013] - modification of the calibration of the transducers according to the transducer and the pa selected meters, by applying a global frequency weighting of the signals;

[0014] - the generation by the transducers of the frequency signals, constituting the stimuli vibrational and / or aerial stimulation.

[0015] The principle of frequency weighting is that a modification of the sound intensity value is applied to a given value, which depends on the frequency. Noise is measured in dB, with 0 dB representing the audibility threshold. For example, if the measurement gives an unweighted value of dB for different frequencies (eg 1000, 2000, 4000Hz...), with a frequency weighting of 10dB at 1000Hz, 20dB at 2000Hz, and 30dB at 4000Hz, the intensity level AFTER weighting will therefore be 10+10=20dB at 1000Hz; 10+20 = 30dB at 2000Hz and 10+30 = 40dB at 4000Hz.

[0016] The objective of weighting is to adapt the intensity level of the sound signal according to the condition in which the examination is actually carried out, which differs from the norm (for example due to the creation of an occlusion effect, or other: see the examples below). The overall weighting therefore depends on the type of transducers, their positioning, their coupling, etc.

[0017] It is also specified that by global weighting we mean a cumulation of different weightings which can be applied according to the context of the test: for a given situation, it is sometimes necessary to sum the weighting coefficients in order to take into account the situation tested (see the detailed explanations below). The sum of the different weightings is applied to the reference value, provided by the standard which only provides for one experimental measurement condition (reference OdB, depending on the type of transducer used for a given positioning, tested ear not occluded).

[0018] The side of the head to be tested first for a vibration stimulation test results from carrying out a Weber test including bilateral or frontal bone conduction stimulation at a suprathreshold intensity at different audiometric frequencies, for example 0.5kHz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz, making it possible to determine a first test side according to the side of perception by the user of the stimulation. This is a determination known per se.

[0019] Generally, the vibration transducer is placed on at least one location of the head selected from the following:

[0020] - the forehead;

[0021] - the mastoid;

[0022] - an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head.

[0023] Thus, more precisely:

[0024] - when the stimulation by vibratory transducer takes place on the forehead, the weighting applied frequency is between [-10 and +20] dB;

[0025] - when the stimulation by vibratory transducer takes place on a mastoid, the pon applied frequency deration is between [-20 and +10] dB;

[0026] - when the stimulation by vibratory transducer takes place on an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head, the frequency weighting applied is between [-40; 0] dB.

[0027] The additional frequency weighting applied is almost zero, i.e. between [-5; 5] dB if contralateral masking is performed via the air stimulation device placed on the contralateral ear only, the tested ear remaining free.

[0028] For the record, contralateral masking is obtained by presenting a acoustic message to one ear to prevent it from responding instead of the ear being tested.

[0029] The frequency weighting applied is between [-30; +10] dB if contralateral masking is performed via the air stimulation device placed simultaneously on both ears and the vibratory transducer is positioned on the forehead, on the mastoid(s) or on an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head.

[0030] It is specified that the preceding weightings can be cumulative, that is to say that one can, for a given situation, sum the weighting coefficients so as to take into account the situation tested. For example, if the bone conduction examination is carried out by placing the vibrator in a frontal position (weighting A), in the presence of contralateral masking carried out by positioning the overhead headset on both ears simultaneously (weighting B), the overall weighting will be the frequency-by-frequency sum of each of the individual weightings (frequency-by-frequency sum of weighting A and weighting B and weighting C).

[0031] The overall weighting coefficient previously obtained aims to cancel out the calibration and reference zero variations induced by a different positioning of the bone vibrator(s) and aerial transducers from that prescribed in the standard.

[0032] The intensity level required for given experimental conditions during a hearing test using air conduction and bone conduction may be:

[0033] - Be saved in memory as is including a calibration table for each of the experimental conditions, whose targets to be achieved are determined by applying the ISO 389-3:2016 standard, to which the previously calculated global weighting is applied (multiple mother calibrations). Mother calibration is the creation of a calibration table of size n, which contains all possible experimental combinations (n ​​= occlusion x positioning x masking x...). In short, for each of the conditions, a value is recorded and calibrated. In other words, this amounts to creating as many calibration tables as there could be experimental conditions, the target values ​​for each of the tables then corresponding to the ISO 389-3:2016 value to which the global weighting is applied.

[0034] - Either calculated prior to the generation of the stimulus, by calling the level intensity saved in the calibration (ISO 389-3:2016 standard, single parent calibration), to which the global weighting is applied (multiple daughter calibrations). Daughter calibration means carrying out the calibration (ISO) only once, then calculating the desired output level from this single calibration by applying the weighting.

[0035] In both cases, the result obtained is rigorously identical (the pon global deration is applied either during the hardware calibration phase or during the stimulus generation phase).

[0036] In practice, different implementation solutions are possible and proposed as non-limiting examples. They can be used separately or in combination, to guarantee reliability of the audiometric thresholds obtained during the measurements.

[0037] Thus, the final stimulation level can be applied:

[0038] Either by modifying the intensity level of the emitted signal, i.e. of the bone target stimulation provided by the ISO 389-3:2016 standard, and applying the global weighting to it (daughter calibration) or by directly calling the corresponding calibration in the table (mother calibration). For example, if the ISO standard stipulates that a level of 78.9 dB SPL at 500Hz corresponds to 40 dB HL and the global weighting from the test configuration is -16 dB at this frequency, then the stimulation intensity will be 78.9 -16= 62.9 dB SPL. The value displayed on the user interface remains 40dB HL. The presentation level of the target signal is lowered.

[0039] Or again by modifying the intensity level of the air masking stimulation produced in the contralateral ear, so as to prevent the detection of the bone target signal by the contralateral ear. As a reminder, the intensity of the contralateral masking must be between the effectiveness criterion (minimum masking intensity necessary to prevent the detection of the target sound by the contralateral ear) and the resonance criterion (maximum masking intensity beyond which the masking sound presented in the contralateral ear begins to resonate on the detection of the target sound, presented in the tested ear). In the present invention, the intensity level of the masking stimulation can be modified by setting the level of the masking noise to the resonance threshold (provided that the resonance criterion is greater than the effectiveness criterion, from which the overall weighting coefficient is subtracted.For example, if the ringing threshold sets the intensity level of the masking noise to 60dB HL, and the overall weighting is -16dB at the tested frequency (meaning that the bone conduction detection threshold under the test conditions improves by 16dB compared to the standard), then the masking noise will be 60 - (-16) = 76dB HL. By ringing, the generated masking noise level will constrain the detectability of the target sound presented in the tested ear and will then modify the obtained threshold by a value equal to the overall weighting.

[0040] Finally, by modifying the displayed value once the measurement result has been carried out by presenting a stimulation intensity level for the target sound and for the masking sound in accordance with ISO 389-3:2016. The patient's response is simply recorded by taking the value of the target sound and adding the overall weighting. For example, if the patient responds at 40dB HL and the weighting overall for the experimental condition tested at the tested frequency is -16dB, then the patient's response will be recorded at 40-16 = 24 dB HL.

[0041] It is possible to use any combination of at least two of the three application types to achieve the same result. For example, if the weighting factor is -16 dB, it is possible to apply -8 dB to the intensity level of the target sound and +8 dB to the intensity level of the masking sound.

[0042] For the record, we remind you that:

[0043] dB HL is named after the English acronym "Decibel Hearing Level", and dB SPL is designated after the acronym "Decibel Sound Pressure Level". In fact, a sound pressure level is expressed in physical decibels (dB SPL). Zero dB SPL is the reference hearing threshold at 1kHz, therefore obtained on a group of normal subjects. This means that the acoustic decibel scale would not exist without the human ear. This zero corresponds to a pressure of 20pPa, the pressure unit being the Pa (Pascal). Zero Pa can only exist in a vacuum and this unit cannot therefore be used as an audiometric zero. Since the ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies, it was necessary to express the audiometric zeros (the hearing thresholds for each frequency) in dB SPL. In pure tone audiometry, the measurement of hearing thresholds, i.e. threshold audiometry, is therefore done by reference to audiometric zeros.The measurement results are then expressed in dB HL.

[0044] As mentioned, the corrective factors or the new calibrations are dependent on the acoustic coupling of the transducers, and may be required to vary depending on the type of transducer used and their positioning, impacting the occlusion effect created by the cohabitation of the different transducers, permitted by the fixing system of the invention.

[0045] The introduction of a multiple calibration of the bone conduction transducers depending on the type of air transducers used must be implemented so as to standardize the thresholds obtained in the different experimental conditions that may be encountered (binaural headphones in vibratory stimulation worn alone, or alternatively with the addition of the binaural headphones in air stimulation, whether headphones or ear insert).

[0046] Note that in high frequencies, the occlusion effect can be negative, that is to say that the occlusion of the external auditory canal degrades the “vibratory” perception of high tones. In reality, the occlusion of the canal degrades the perception of the acoustic field radiated by the vibrator, which turns out to be audible by the subject (aerial stimulation emitted involuntarily by the vibrator). The support system which will be described below, with the cohabitation between the aerial and vibratory stimulation device, makes it possible to prevent the subject from perceiving the aerial radiation emitted by the vibrator. The quality of the diagnosis is improved, the thresholds measured in vibratory stimulation then being only a reflection of the response of the inner ear, including in high frequencies.

[0047] Currently, the vibratory stimulation transducers that can be used in audiometry all have the same attachment system, namely a headband on which a single transducer is fixed. No binaural vibratory stimulation audiometry system is in fact currently available, probably due to various technical problems already mentioned above and which of course translate into devices placed on the patients' heads, including:

[0048] i) Current audiometry systems only offer a single calibration for each transducer, whether in air or vibration conduction. The references from the ISO 389-3:2016 standard allow the vibrator to be calibrated for an open ear (not occluded by headphones). The creation of an occlusion induced by the cohabitation between the two headphones, air and vibration, even partial, significantly modifies the sound level perceived by the patient (and therefore the 0 dB reference used), thus destroying the benefit of the calibration.

[0049] ii) The headband is calibrated to provide “sufficient” pressure for the purposes of audiometry. More precisely, an application force of between 4.9 and 5.9 Newtons is normally exerted to enable this type of test, a force which however varies in practice from one individual to another depending on their cranial perimeter. In existing equipment, the clamping force of the headband is never adjusted and is not adjustable. In addition, the current device quickly becomes uncomfortable after a few minutes of wearing, which does not make it compatible with the longer duration required to carry out a complete end-to-end audiometric examination.

[0050] However, the clamping pressure of the transducers in vibratory stimulation is an important parameter for the physical transmission of signals. Each transducer has for this purpose a flat and circular surface of 150 to 200 mm2 which comes to bear on the patient's head, generally on the mastoid process. When the entire clamping force resulting from current monaural headsets (for example when the headband is rigid metal) is applied, it causes strong pressure on the mastoid, which makes wearing the headset difficult to bear because it is very uncomfortable, even painful. The fitting of the headsets can therefore prove delicate and unstable, and the operator responsible for this must demonstrate a certain know-how, especially since it is necessary to reposition it several times in order to test each of the two ears for the performance of all the tests.Since vibration conduction tests must be carried out with the ear open, the vibrator (bone vibrator on the mastoid and support cushion on the mandible) and the headphones must be positioned simultaneously in a crossed manner. diagonally overhead (i.e. one earphone on the ear to be masked and the other on the cheek, to leave the tested ear open).

[0051] The need to leave one ear open, the rudimentary comfort and the obligation to change the side of the headset in vibratory stimulation do not allow the entire tests to be carried out without removing the headset, requiring the presence of an operator on site to ensure the repositioning of the transducers throughout the different phases of the test. If a frontal positioning of the vibrator, mentioned by certain authors (for example Studebaker 1962) could allow the examination to be carried out without external intervention and modification of the positioning of the headsets, the results obtained in such circumstances for carrying out the examination in vibratory stimulation would be erroneous in particular due to a calibration of the ossivibrator for an open ear stimulation and not occluded or semi-occluded, unless the headset is shifted to the ear not tested to leave it open.

[0052] These various problems have never been resolved until now, in particular due to a lack of need, the examinations being carried out in person and the positioning of the headsets being able to be modified by the experimenter without difficulty. However, nowadays, the advent of artificial intelligence and telemedicine would make it possible to automate part of the audiometric tests and possibly carry them out remotely. At least some of the benefits that could be expected from automation and telemedicine (saving human time) are therefore not conceivable because of the constraints mentioned above, particularly due to the need for the presence of a person responsible for the operations of fitting and replacing the headset on the patient's skull, or the major acoustic impact of a modification of the positioning of the vibrators.

[0053] The present invention proposes to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a comfortable attachment and fixing system which allows all the transducers necessary for carrying out binaural audiometry in air and / or vibratory stimulation to be correctly and easily positioned on the head without repositioning the transducers and without human intervention (without moving the system during the test) during the examination. To meet this objective, more particularly, the invention also presents a more secure transducer holding system, because it is better adapted to the individual shape of the head and ears. This results in improved comfort, allowing the recipient to keep said invention during the entire examinations without any movement.The proposed system works in particular with the method of the invention, which is in reality a method of adjusting the initial calibration of the ossivibrator, which makes it possible to compensate for variations linked to the differences between the real measurement conditions and the conditions resulting from the standard setting the reference OdB (occlusion of the external auditory canal in practice). versus normal open ear canal).

[0054] In fact, in other words, it is necessary to be able to test both ears binaurally and simultaneously in air and / or vibratory stimulation, with or without contralateral masking, after simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous installation of the necessary transducers (i.e. at least one transducer for vibratory stimulation and two transducers for air stimulation) so as to allow the entire examination to be carried out without external intervention. In the case of a single transducer in vibratory stimulation, the excellent transmission properties of vibratory stimulation in the bone (very low transcranial transfer around 0 to 10dB, see Appendix 1) or in soft tissues are used here to transmit the sound bilaterally.

[0055] In the case of a single transducer for vibratory stimulation, the vibrator may for example be positioned on the skull equidistant from both ears (for a patient seen from the front: azimuth 0°, i.e. on the frontal bone in the frontal suture axis, or 180° on the occipital bone, in alignment with the sagittal suture and under the lambdoid suture). In the case of two transducers for vibratory stimulation, the positioning of the vibrators may for example be carried out precisely opposite the mastoid process on either side of the skull. Whatever the number of transducer(s) used for vibratory stimulation, two transducers for air stimulation are added to the previous device, either intra-auricularly (auricular inserts), or supra-auricularly (headphones).

[0056] To achieve these objectives, and others which will be apparent upon reading this text, the system of the invention, ensuring the attachment to the head of a user of transducers for carrying out audiometry in air stimulation and in vibratory stimulation, is such that it comprises means for supporting two audiometric transducers in air conduction, each positionable at the level of one of the auditory auricles or the external auditory canal and at least one audiometric transducer in vibratory stimulation.

[0057] The system of the invention therefore comprises at least three transducers allowing binaural stimulation for both air stimulation and vibratory stimulation (bone conduction and / or soft tissue). It is therefore designed to stimulate the auditory system for both types of stimulation, thus allowing auditory functional exploration providing comprehensive information for making a successful diagnosis. It differs from current audiometry solutions in vibratory stimulation which allow monaural bone stimulation in compliance with the NF EN ISO 389-3 standard or binaural stimulation, but for which the modification of the experimental conditions induces a substantial modification of the equivalent reference levels of threshold vibratory force for pure tone vibrators when the ear is occluded.

[0058] Current audiometry solutions using vibration stimulation therefore do not allow binaural bone stimulation without moving the different headsets. As previously stated, the support means for the two types of transducers allow the entire test to be carried out without it being necessary to remove them after their initial installation: said support means must therefore be designed so that once installed, they guarantee the correct positioning of the transducers and their maintenance over time. Finally, a calibration compensation algorithm makes it possible to overcome the occlusion effect created by the cohabitation of the different audiometric headsets.

[0059] According to one possibility, the support means comprise a combination of first support means for the audiometric transducers in air stimulation and second support means for the audiometric transducer(s) in vibration stimulation. It is up to the user to position them initially, where appropriate one relative to the other, without there being any need to reposition them until the end of the tests.

[0060] In fact, according to a possible configuration, the first support means of the audiometric transducers in air stimulation and the second support means of the audiometric transducer(s) in bone stimulation are secured to each other, so that there is no need to position them relative to each other. The headset with at least three transducers that they form can in fact be handled in a single piece that should be fixed on the head, by adjusting the positions of the transducers relative to the auditory canal or the auricles of the ears on the one hand for air conduction, and of the mastoids, of the forehead for vibratory conduction on the other hand.

[0061] In practice, various configurations can be implemented within the framework of the invention. Thus, according to a first example, the second support means for the audiometric transducers in vibratory stimulation can consist of a headband positionable on the forehead (a vibrator) or opposite the mastoid processes behind the auricles. Said headband can be flexible or rigid, and its positioning as well as the clamping force exerted on the skull can vary, at the discretion of the user, mainly according to his cranial morphology and the location of the auricles. In the present case, the system for attaching the vibrators can be achieved either by means of a clamping system, using notches provided for this purpose on either side of the vibrator, or simply by using the clamping force of the headband and sliding the ossivibrator under the headband.

[0062] Alternatively, said second support means for the audiometric transducers in vibratory stimulation may consist of a semi-rigid hoop surrounding the neck and the ends of which are provided with flexible tips placed above above the ear flaps. Although semi-rigid, the headband can easily be moved to fit the patient's skull.

[0063] In general, according to the invention, the first support means for the audiometric transducers in air stimulation consist of a headset comprising an upper headband provided with means for adjusting its length and either earphones placed on the ear flaps, or inserts inserted directly into the auditory canal. Said headset is positioned in connection with the second support means for the audiometric transducers in vibratory stimulation presented above, for overall positioning of the different transducers.

[0064] In certain configurations, the headband of the headset may comprise a branch developing towards the forehead or a mastoid bone (bone stimulation) or the pre-tragic region (soft tissue stimulation) on which an audiometric transducer is secured allowing vibratory stimulation. This is the one-piece configuration.

[0065] Generally speaking, according to the invention, the transducers are fixed to their supports via fixing means whose position is adjustable relative to said supports. It is easy for the user to move them to position them correctly, that is to say in a manner adapted to his skull and, on each side, to the location of the auricle or the external auditory canal and the areas of vibratory stimulation (in a non-limiting manner the mastoid bone, forehead, soft tissues of the skull, etc.).

[0066] The choice of positioning of the transducer vibrator in vibratory stimulation and / or the type of headset used in aerial stimulation imposes a particular requirement as to the calibration of the transducers, due to a modification of the occlusion of the ear induced by the cohabitation between the different transducers - since, unlike existing solutions, there is simultaneous wearing of aerial and vibratory stimulation.

[0067] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows, relating to embodiments which are given only as indicative and non-limiting examples.

[0068] Understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which:

[0069] [Fig.l] represents a schematic profile view of a user equipped with support means consisting of a headband for the audiometric transducers in vibratory stimulation (bone and soft tissue conduction).

[0070] [Fig.2] represents a schematic rear view of the user equipped with said support strip.

[0071] [Fig. 3] represents a schematic front view of the user equipped with said support strip when a single vibrator is used, but positioned frontally.

[0072] [Fig.4] represents a schematic profile view of a user equipped with means of support, also for audiometric transducers in vibratory stimulation, consisting of a semi-rigid hoop surrounding the neck of a user.

[0073] [Fig.5]] represents a schematic rear view of the user equipped with said hoop support.

[0074] [Fig.6] represents a schematic profile view of a user equipped with a combined headset, equipped with an upper headband for audiometric transducers in air stimulation (earphones) and support branches for audiometric transducers in vibration stimulation.

[0075] [Fig.7] represents a schematic rear view of the user equipped with said helmet. combined from the previous figure.

[0076] The configuration of [Fig.l] to [Fig.3] shows a flexible or rigid headband. This particular support is designed to leave the patient's ear flaps free so as to add headphones or inserts for binaural air stimulation to supplement the audiometric tests. Its nature and positioning allow it to be installed simultaneously with a traditional headset equipped with earphones or inserts. The headband 1 may, according to an exemplary embodiment, include fixing means 2 for the vibration simulation transducer(s) 3 which ensure that they remain stationary on the headband 1. The vibration stimulation transducer(s) 3 can also be slid under the headband, without any fixing system (see [Fig.3]), their holding then being ensured by the pressure force of the headband.These fixing means 2 can be adjusted / slid on the headband so as to modify, for the purpose of adjustment, the distance between the transducer(s) 3 so that they are well positioned, generally opposite the stimulation zone (for example the mastoid process of the temporal bone, the forehead or possibly soft tissues), and / or - in the case of a flexible headband - the clamping force exerted by the system.

[0077] In this regard, one or more systems for adjusting the clamping force exerted may be implemented: these systems may for example consist of slides, snap fasteners, adjustment notches, etc. These adjustment systems make it possible in practice to adjust the pressure exerted by the vibration stimulation transducers on the bone or soft tissues of the patient.

[0078] The size of the headband can be universal or adjustable and, in the case of a flexible headband 1, the pressure force can optionally also be adjusted by measuring the patient's head circumference using a measuring tool. The result of the measurement makes it possible to adjust the diameter of the headband more finely using the adjustment systems and marks positioned on the headband until the necessary pressure force is reached, that which corresponds to the measured head circumference. The headband 1 can optionally must have an opening system (slider, clips, self-gripping closure, etc.) to facilitate its placement on the patient.

[0079] The support means illustrated in [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] comprise a semi-rigid hoop 10 designed to be positioned behind the patient's head. As for the headband configuration 1 of [Fig.1] to [Fig.3], these support means are designed to leave the recipient's ear flaps free so as to add headphones or inserts, the latter constituting the transducers in binaural air stimulation. The positioning of the rear hoop 10 makes it possible in practice to install these second support means simultaneously with a traditional air stimulation arrangement.

[0080] The fixing system consists in this case of a semi-rigid hoop 10, malleable so as to be adjustable to the morphology of the patient, to which different elements are added. This hoop 10 may optionally be offered in different sizes. The hoop 10 must be placed just above the auricles of the ears and must follow the contour of the head. One or more fixing means 12 allow(s) the vibrator(s) 13 constituting the vibratory stimulation transducers to be fixed on the hoop 10. These fixing means 12 are movable on the axis of the hoop 10 to allow their positioning opposite the mastoid process of the temporal bone or possibly the pretragal area for stimulation by soft tissues. Two flexible tips 14 also allow the assembly to be held in position.The soft tips 14 must rest slightly in front of the ear so as to be comfortable while maintaining pressure from the vibrators 13 on the stimulation area.

[0081] A third combined configuration appears in [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], in which the support means are based on a headset provided with earphones 21 for air stimulation. The device of the invention consists of an upper arch 20, which in fact constitutes the support means and can be telescopic, that is to say comprise extendable arms for adaptation to the size of the head of each patient. The extendable arms of the upper arch 20 are terminated at each end by a professional earphone 21 for air conduction and by an audiometric vibrator 23 for bone conduction. Another example of the invention would be to have one or more other extendable arms of the upper arch oriented towards the chosen stimulation zones (for example forehead, mastoids, pretragal zones, ...).The vibrators 23 constituting the vibration simulation transducers are placed on fixing means 22 arranged at the free end of branches 24 connecting them to the arms of the upper arch 20.

[0082] In all the cases mentioned, the transducers are intended to be connected to a conventional audiometer by wired connectors or by wireless signal transmission technology.

[0083] The above examples are not limiting of the invention, which on the contrary encompasses the variants of shape and configuration which are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for calibrating an audiometric transducer device for air stimulation and vibration stimulation attached to the user's head for performing audiometry by emitting signals at frequencies below 20 kHz towards the head, comprising at least one vibration transducer of the bone conduction vibrator type and an air stimulation device provided with at least one transducer, in a hearing headset or in the form of a hearing insert, the calibration method consisting of: - placing the bone conduction vibrator(s) on the patient's head; - placing the air conduction headset / inserts on the patient;- the selection of the following parameters: • one or more tests to be carried out among the air stimulation or vibration stimulation tests and, for each of said tests • the ear(s) to be tested, • the presence or absence of contralateral masking; - selection of the type of transducer used and their positioning; - modification of the calibration of the transducers according to the transducer and the parameters selected, by applying an overall frequency weighting of the signals; - generation by the transducers of the frequency signals, constituting the stimuli of the vibration and / or air stimulation.;

2. Method for calibrating an audiometric transducer device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vibratory transducer is placed on at least one location of the head selected from the following: - the forehead or on the median axis of the skull; - the mastoid; - an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head.

3. Method for calibrating an audiometric transducer device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - when the stimulation by vibratory transducer takes place on the forehead, the frequency weighting applied is between [-10 and +20] dB; - when the stimulation by vibratory transducer takes place on a mastoid, the frequency weighting applied is between [-20 and +10] dB; - when the stimulation by vibratory transducer takes place on an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head, the frequency weighting applied is between [-40 and 0] dB.

4. Method for calibrating an audiometric transducer device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the additional frequency weighting applied is almost zero, i.e. between [-5; 5] dB if contralateral masking is carried out via the air stimulation device placed on the contralateral ear only, the tested ear remaining free.

5. Method for calibrating an audiometric transducer device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frequency weighting applied is between [-30; +10] dB if contralateral masking is carried out via the air stimulation device placed simultaneously on both ears and the vibratory transducer is positioned on the forehead, on the mastoid(s) or on an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head.

6. System for attaching transducers to the head of a user for performing audiometry in air stimulation by air conduction and in vibratory stimulation, said vibratory stimulation being by bone conduction or by conduction in soft cartilaginous tissues for performing audiometry, said audiometry being performed by emitting signals at frequencies lower than 20 kHz in the direction of the head according to the preceding method claims, comprising support means (1, 10, 20, 24) of two audiometric transducers (21) in air stimulation each positionable at one of the auditory auricles or the external acoustic meatus, characterized in that it further comprises at least one audiometric transducer (3, 13, 23) in bone stimulation, positionable at at least one desired stimulation zone selected from a mastoids of the skull, the forehead, and an area covering a cartilaginous portion of the head.

7. Fixing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support means comprise a combination of first support means (20) for the audiometric transducers (21) in air stimulation and second support means (1, 10) for the audiometric transducers in vibration stimulation (3, 13).

8. Fixing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first support means (20) of the audiometric transducers (21) in air stimulation and the second support means (24) of the audiometric transducers (23) in vibratory stimulation are secured to each other.

9. Fixing system according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the second support means for the audiometric transducer(s) (3) in vibratory stimulation consist of a headband (1) positionable above or below the ear flaps.

10. Fixing system according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the second support means for the audiometric transducer(s) (13) in vibratory stimulation consist of a semi-rigid hoop (10) surrounding the neck and the ends of which are provided with flexible tips (14) placed above the ear flaps.

11. Fixing system according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the first support means for the audiometric transducers (21) in air stimulation consist of a headset comprising an upper hoop (20) provided with means for adjusting its length and earphones (21) placed on the ear flaps or in the external auditory canal.

12. Fixing system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the headband (20) of the headset comprises, either in the vicinity of each earphone (21), or at its base, one or more branches (24) developing in the direction of the vibration stimulation zones (for example mastoid bone, forehead, soft tissues) on which an audiometric transducer (23) is secured for vibration stimulation.

13. Fixing system according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the transducers (21, 3, 13, 23) are fixed to their supports (20, 2, 12, 22) via fixing means whose position is adjustable relative to said supports (20, 2, 12, 22).

Images