A simulation system for hearing aid adjustment and determination

Abstract

The invention is a simulation system suitable for use in all applications on hearing aid fitting and adjustment in hospitals, hearing aid fitting and adjustment in hearing aid centers, and auditory therapy in rehabilitation centers, characterized in that it allows adjustment of hearing aids by testing them in different environments with users.

Description

[0001] A SIMULATION SYSTEM FOR HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT AND DETERMINATION

[0002] Technical Field:

[0003] The invention is a simulation system suitable for use in all applications on hearing aid fitting and adjustment in hospitals, hearing aid fitting and adjustment in hearing aid centers, and auditory therapy in rehabilitation centers.

[0004] This invention relates to a simulation system that allows adjustment of hearing aids which are used by users as a result of hearing loss, one of the most common diseases in the world, by testing them in different environments with the users.

[0005] State of the Art:

[0006] According to the data of the World Health Organization, hearing loss is one of the most common health problems in the world. And over the years, its number has been increasing. Individuals with hearing loss use hearing aids to keep this situation under control so that their hearing loss does not affect their daily lives. Hearing aids are electronic health devices that can be adjusted specifically for the patient in a frequencyspecific way with software. The methods used in making these adjustments are inconsistent, may vary from person to person, and their accuracy cannot be controlled. The system of the invention has been introduced to eliminate this confusion.

[0007] In the traditional adjustment method used in the known art, the adjustment is made through verbal communication and question and answer with the patient in a quiet environment. At the same time, sounds such as clapping hands and hitting the table are made to determine whether the patient can hear or not. This method will not give precise results and also does not give accurate results. This situation causes patients to use incorrectly adjusted or wrong type of hearing aids.

[0008] Thanks to REM (Real Ear Measurement), which is another method used in the known art, it can be evaluated whether the gain from the device actually reaches the patient's ear. Real ear measurement is the measurement of the sound pressure level that occurs in the patient's ear canal when hearing aids are worn. It is measured using a silicone probe tube inserted into the canal connected to a microphone outside the ear and is done to verify that the hearing aid provides appropriate amplification for the patient's hearing loss. Real ear measurement uses the hearing test as data when measuring, and as a result, it claims to provide objective verification. However, this test is subjective as the hearing test is marked by the patient pressing a button in response to sounds sent to the patient. In other words, REM also cannot give an objective hearing aid adjustment result. Although this method seems to be the closest adjustment to reality, it was calculated in the laboratory environment without involving every parameter. It causes dissatisfaction in noisy environments or in patients who have just started using it.

[0009] The problems frequently encountered in the known art are listed below.

[0010] • One of the biggest problems is that the accuracy of the patient's feedback or the accuracy of the adjustment cannot be measured.

[0011] • Another problem is that the adjustment for the patients is done at the hearing aid center in a quiet and speech intelligible environment. Real-life environments are not as quiet and do not include few people. There are many different noise factors. The hearing aid in the patient's ear may require adjustment according to all of these factors.

[0012] • The specialist adjusting the device may not have the knowledge to solve the problem, and may be inconsistent depending on the person. For example, in a case where a patient is disturbed by the sound of crockery, if the specialist does not know how many decibels and frequencies these sounds are, they may adjust the wrong zones.

[0013] • The inability to objectively show the features of the hearing aid applied to the patients and the differences between the segments (noise suppression, speech improvement, etc.) stands out as another problem.

[0014] • It is also an important problem that traditional methods vary a lot depending on the experience and skill of the person. No matter how experienced the practitioner is, the adjustment done will not be consistent anywhere in the world. In fact, if they are asked to make the same adjustment, it will not be possible for them to do it.

[0015] • Although REM method seems to be the closest adjustment to reality, it was calculated in the laboratory environment without involving every parameter. It causes dissatisfaction in noisy environments or in patients who have just started using it.

[0016] • In all methods, it cannot be determined whether the patient can hear or distinguish phonemes. Only after all these adjustments, it can be supported by methods such as free field test or cortical test.

[0017] • The questions asked are asked without considering the phoneme distribution. For example, it is not possible to make an effective adjustment with the answer to the question of how my voice sounds. When the phoneme (the name given to the sound of the letters) distribution of the question asked is examined, there are phonemes from each region. It is not clear which region to adjust according to the answer received.

[0018] For the above reasons, there is a need for a direct frequency-specific adjustment method instead of asking questions.

[0019] The Japanese patent document JP2023023451A encountered in the research report describes a hearing aid adjustment system that can properly adjust the function of a hearing aid to the user without visiting the sales store. The described system is based on pulling the user's information from a database and matching it with the previously used device. The simulation system of the invention subject to the description is not included in said Japanese patent document.

[0020] In the literature search, there is no system that simulates real sound environments to the user as in the present invention and determines the appropriate hearing aid and adjustment by adjusting the frequency with this simulation. As a result, there is a need for a new system that overcomes the state of the art and eliminates its disadvantages.

[0021] Summary of the Invention:

[0022] The invention is a simulation system that overcomes the state of the art regarding the selection and adjustment of hearing aids, eliminates its disadvantages, and includes additional advantages. The object of the invention is to introduce a simulation system that allows choosing and adjusting hearing aids by simulating real sounds in different frequency ranges to the patients.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to ensure that patients have access to an optimally appropriate hearing aid model and adjustment.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to minimize the impact of hearing impairment on patients.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to introduce a precise, consistent and accurate hearing aid adjustment and determination system.

[0026] With the system subject to the invention;

[0027] • The disadvantages of methods such as traditional and REM, which are inconsistent and poorly applicable, no matter how accurate,

[0028] • Variable adjustment according to the degree of expertise of audiologists,

[0029] • Patients' inability to see the marketed device features objectively,

[0030] • Problems caused by making adjustments only in one environment and the issues persisting in other environments,

[0031] • Negative thoughts of patients about hearing aids due to adjustment errors,

[0032] • Problems caused by relying on the algorithm of the hearing aid alone in pediatric and continuously monitored patient groups (meniere, auditory neuropathy, sudden hearing loss and the like),

[0033] • Problems caused by random adjustment of children's hearing aid (not equalizing the two ears to each other, not working on localization, not performing sound studies for recognition, discrimination and identification, etc.) are prevented.

[0034] With the invention;

[0035] • Hearing aids can be selected and adjusted in accordance with different environments with different frequency sound values,

[0036] • Hearing thresholds with and without hearing aids can be determined,

[0037] • Phoneme discrimination tests and discomfort tests can be performed at different decibels, • In bilateral use, right and left ear equalization can be possible,

[0038] • All kinds of sound environment can be simulated in 360 degrees (cafe, ferry, crowd speech, meeting, concert, cinema, theater and so on)

[0039] • MPO adjustment, location direction tests, SRT SDS adjustments in noise can be made,

[0040] • Story comprehension tests can be performed,

[0041] • Objective pediatric adjustment can be performed

[0042] • With thousands of audio files, endless adjustments can be possible.

[0043] With the invention, patients are enabled to use their hearing aids in their social life, having tested all sounds adjusted in every environment, without being dependent on the person who adjusts them; the satisfaction of the patients with the device is maximized; and the progression is prevented, maintaining hearing health.

[0044] Description of the Drawings:

[0045] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, so that the features of the invention will be understood more clearly. However it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended all alternatives, modifications and equivalences that may be included in the field of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims are also within the scope. It should be understood that the details shown are for the sole purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and are intended to provide the most useful and easily understandable description of both the embodiment of the methods and the rules and conceptual features of the invention. In the drawings;

[0046] Figure - 1 Representative view showing the simulation system subject to the invention.

[0047] The figures which will help understand this invention are numbered as indicated in the accompanying drawing and are given below with their names.

[0048] Description of the References:

[0049] 10. Processor 20. Database

[0050] 30. Sound card

[0051] 40. Speaker

[0052] 41. Body 50. Cable

[0053] Description of the Invention:

[0054] In this detailed description the simulation system subject to the invention is described with the examples without any limiting effect only for a better understanding of the subject.

[0055] The simulation system subject to the invention comprises at least one speaker (40) as hardware, at least one database (20) containing sound files in different frequency ranges, at least one sound card (30) that transfers sound files to speakers (40), at least one processor (10) that runs sound files, and at least one cable (50) or wireless communication module (bluetooth, WiFi and so on) providing sound and data communication between equipments. Furthermore, in the invention, there is at least one software integrated into the previously mentioned processor (10) that controls the hardware and enables the adjustment of the hearing aid according to the frequency values in the sounds. The invention is designed to simulate different sounds or environments to patients. The software also allows the appropriate decibel and frequency adjustment for the hearing aid according to the decibel and frequency ranges in the audio files.

[0056] In the invention, the number of speakers (40) is defined as at least one. However, increasing the number of speakers (40), e.g. one each on the right, left, front and back, would allow the patient to receive the sounds 360° at different angles, and consequently enable the simulation to be used effectively. For this reason, the use of more than one speaker (40) is proposed in the invention.

[0057] In the invention, the speakers (40) are positioned on a body (41 ). This body (41) comprises a movement mechanism to change the height of the speaker (40) up and down. The purpose of changing the length of the body (41) is to adjust the sound according to the patient's ear level. In this way, patients can simulate sounds coming from above or below. Also, the speaker (40) and body (41) connection is an articulated connection, and the speakers (40) have the ability to rotate 360° in three different axes. In this way, sounds coming from different angles can be simulated. The speaker (40) body (41) can optionally include a wheel mechanism in the ground section. In this way, the proximity and distance of the speakers (40) to the patient can be adjusted.

[0058] In a system design where the number of speakers (40) is more than one, all speakers (40) can be operated at the same time. In this case, a 360° sound experience can be provided. Also, the speakers (40) can be operated individually. The problems of the user hearing the sounds coming from the right side better or worse than the left side or the sounds coming from the front better or worse than the back can be prevented, and the sounds coming from different directions can be equalized.

[0059] In the invention, there are thousands of audio files in the database (20). The feature of these sound files is that each of them addresses a different frequency range. As is known, the frequency range of each sound is different from each other. The frequency of the sound of cutlery and the frequency of dog barking are different from each other. For this reason, sounds with different frequencies from the sound recordings in the database (20) are played to the patients to determine how much they hear the sounds. When the sounds are selected from sound files with different frequency ranges, if the patient has hearing loss due to frequency, it can be adjusted and the hearing aid can be adjusted to optimum hearing.

[0060] In the invention, the sound card (30) enables the transmission of sounds from the database (20) to the speakers (40). It has as many inputs as there are speakers (40) in the system.

[0061] The processor (10) in the invention incorporates the software with which sounds can be played. Said processor can be a computer. It has the task of running programs.

[0062] With the invention, phoneme discrimination in whispering is carried out. The phonemes of words at low decibels are different from their phonemes at high decibels. In both cases, the hearing aid user must be able to hear sounds and understand the other party.

[0063] In the invention, phoneme discrimination is also performed in a noisy environment. Noise environments are simulated with the simulation system and the patient is required to distinguish the sounds and understand the other party. The problem is solved by adjusting the hearing aid frequency settings accordingly.

[0064] In the invention, the right ear and the left ear are equalized. Right and left ear equalization is provided by controlling the sounds emitted from speakers (40) in different directions.

[0065] As is known, the sound frequency of each word is different. Patients may complain that they cannot hear some words or letters specifically. This situation can be analyzed by using sound files with different frequencies in the database (20) in simulation.

[0066] Noise controls can be carried out in the invention. For noise control, environments such as cafe environment, concert environment, meeting environment, quiet environment, pool environment, sea environment can be simulated. These environment sounds can be simulated one-to-one with patients.

[0067] In the invention, even if the patient does not have any complaints, words, sounds or environments in different frequency ranges are simulated and played to the patient. It is determined whether they hear and understand what they are listening to, and the appropriate frequency adjustment is made to the hearing aids.

[0068] The use of the system subject to the invention provides consistency and compliance with scientific data compared to the systems used for hearing aid adjustment. The sounds given are all sound files that have been recorded taking into account their frequencies and decibels and are valid for the whole world. It will ensure that the correct adjustment is made no matter which device brand is adjusted for which person.

[0069] The simulation system subject to the invention can also be used in rehabilitation applications. Individuals with hearing loss receive further auditory rehabilitation training for speech and language acquisition after their hearing loss is diagnosed and necessary treatment or solutions such as hearing aid adjustment and cochlear implants. In this process, detection - discrimination-identification-interpretation studies or more detailed auditory studies can be performed in the presence of an audiologist. In these studies, which vary according to the skill and experience of the audiologist, the studies may vary according to the patient's loss and the degree of hearing loss. Since the audiologist may not be able to objectively adjust sound or frequencies while performing studies, rehabilitation studies can be carried out in rehabilitation centers objectively with this system by applying detection, discrimination, identification, interpretation or different auditory therapy trainings arranged by us from 360 degrees in all directions with sound recordings at different frequencies and decibels accepted by the whole world. The auditory development of the individual with hearing loss in rehabilitation can be followed objectively. As a result in the invention, at least one speaker (40), at least one database (20) containing sound files in different frequency ranges, at least one sound card (30) that transfers sound files to speakers (40), at least one processor (10) that runs sound files, and at least one cable (50) or wireless communication module (bluetooth, WiFi and so on) providing sound and data communication between equipments can also be used in ear rehabilitation studies and trainings.

[0070] In the invention, the sound card (30) can be external or it may be an internal sound card (30) inside a computer. Again, although the speaker (40) is considered external, the internal speaker (40) of a computer can be used within the system.

[0071] Lastly, the VR (Virtual Reality) system can be integrated within the system subject to the invention. VR system will have a positive effect on rehabilitation and device adjustment, adaptation of patients to the new environment, supporting adaptation with visual stimuli, and visual stimulation in animation. It will be also important for the localization skill. In the system, the side the sound is coming from is supported by the visual stimulus.

[0072] When used in auditory rehabilitation, it becomes increasingly difficult and the use of visual reinforcement during the training process by the individual provides extra support in the evaluation of sound hearing and provides a realistic simulation experience. Also, visual simulation prevents the patient from getting bored during the rehabilitation process.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A simulation system allowing adjustment of hearing aids by testing them in different environments with the users, characterized in that;• it comprises at least one database (20) containing a large number of audio files with different frequencies and decibel values,• it comprises at least one processor (10) running the audio files in the database (20),• it comprises at least one sound card (30) transmitting audio files run on the processor (10) to the speaker (40) or speakers (40) for output;• it comprises at least one speaker (40) delivering sound to patients in line with the output from the sound card (30),• it comprises at least one software enabling decibel and frequency adjustment to the hearing aid according to the sound decibel and sound frequency of the sound files after the patient's reactions to the sounds.

2. A simulation system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one body (41) in which speakers (40) are arranged.

3. A simulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (41) has at least one movement mechanism that moves the speakers (40) up and down.

4. A simulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (41) has at least one movement mechanism that moves the speakers (40) 360° in three axes.

5. A simulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (41) has at least one wheel mechanism on the ground section to change the position of the speakers (40).

6. A simulation system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises multiple speakers (40) to simulate a 360° sound environment in different directions.

7. A simulation system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises sound files in the database (20) in different decibel and frequency ranges, suitable for all frequency and decibel ranges that the human ear can hear.

8. A simulation system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one VR system that provides visuals related to the audio file while playing the audio to the patients.

9. A simulation system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a speaker (40) or speakers (40) internal or external to a processor (10) or a computer or smart device.

10. A simulation system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a sound card (30) or sound cards (30) internal or external to a processor (10) or a computer or smart device.

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