Passive hearing test

Abstract

A system can play, via headphones, a test sound comprised of a pair of tones. The system can measure, for the test sound, a DPOAE caused by the pair of tones. The system can repeat the playing step to generate a plurality of test sounds in succession with one another and at a playback speed that generates a sound sequence for the user. The system can repeat the measuring step to generate a plurality of measurements for the plurality of test sounds. The system can then determine a test result for the user based on one or more of the plurality of measurements. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Description

PASSIVE HEARING TESTRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 673,115, filed July 18, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDFIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to hearing tests and, more specifically, to systems and methods for performing a passive hearing test utilizing headphones. Other aspects are also described.BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] Hearing loss is a significant public health issue that can affect individuals of all ages. One technique for assessing hearing loss is to measure otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) from the ears of individuals. An OAE is a low-level signal produced by the cochlea (located within the inner ear) in response to an acoustic stimulation. An OAE is generated by outer hair cells (sensory cells) within the cochlea. In many cases, OAE levels can be correlated with hearing sensitivity. For example, OAE levels of newborns may be measured in hospitals or clinics to assess hearing sensitivity of children. In some cases, OAEs can be reduced when there is outer hair cell loss (which may be associated with hearing loss).SUMMARY

[0004] Implementations of this disclosure include utilizing headphones to perform a passive hearing test based on DPOAEs (in which one or more pairs of tones of a test sound are played simultaneously), with multiple test sounds played one after another, in a cadence. This may result in a sound sequence with melody (musical sound) that is pleasant for the user to hear. This may also result in a hearing test that may be performed faster for the user. The test sounds may be played to passively test hearing of the user. For example, test sounds may be played, and DPOAE measurements collected, without the user initiating the test or responding to the test. In some cases, the test sounds may be played and measurements collected in response to events that might otherwise produce an audible notification or alert giving feedback to the user, such as the user wearing the headphones, activating acousticnoise cancellation or active noise control (ANC), or activating a digital assistant. In some cases, the hearing test may be divided into multiple portions that may be triggered at various times based on different events, then aggregated to complete the hearing test based on a stopping rule. In some cases, the test sounds may be played, and DPOAE measurements collected, to both ears of the user simultaneously. One or more of the foregoing aspects may enable a hearing test to be performed faster, more conveniently for the user, and / or may enable earlier intervention of possible hearing loss.

[0005] Some implementations may include a method comprising a) playing, via headphones worn by a user, a test sound comprised of a pair of tones; b) measuring, for the test sound, a DPOAE caused by the pair of tones; repeating a) to generate a plurality of test sounds in succession with one another and at a playback speed that generates a sound sequence for the user; repeating b) to generate a plurality of measurements for the plurality of test sounds, respectively, wherein each measurement is of a DPOAE caused by one of the plurality of test sounds; and determining a test result for the user based on one or more of the plurality of measurements.

[0006] Some implementations may include a system that may comprise headphones worn by a user; a microphone to pick up an OAE emitted by an ear of the user; and one or more processors executing instructions stored in memory. The one or more processors may execute to perform steps, including to a) play, via the headphones, a test sound comprised of a pair of tones; b) measure, for the test sound, a DPOAE caused by the pair of tones; repeat a) to generate a plurality of test sounds in succession with one another and at a playback speed that generates a sound sequence for the user; repeat b) to generate a plurality of measurements for the plurality of test sounds, respectively, wherein each measurement is of a DPOAE caused by one of the plurality of test sounds; and determine a test result for the user based on one or more of the plurality of measurements. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

[0007] The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the Claims section. Such combinations may have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Several aspects of the disclosure here are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” aspect in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. Also, in the interest of conciseness and reducing the total number of figures, a given figure may be used to illustrate the features of more than one aspect of the disclosure, and not all elements in the figure may be required for a given aspect.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an example of a system for performing a passive hearing test.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an example of a system for estimating DPOAEs.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an example of a graph illustrating measurements of DPOAEs.

[0012] FIG. 4 is an example of measuring DPOAEs while playing sound sequence.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an example of a process for performing a passive hearing test.

[0014] FIG. 6 is example of another process for performing a passive hearing test.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In hospitals and clinics, when patients are tested for hearing loss via measurement of OAEs, the acoustic stimuli emitted to the patients may be unpleasant. For example, the acoustic stimuli typically comprises long monotonous tones optimized to produce OAEs at certain target frequencies. Additionally, the tests may be time consuming, causing many individuals to avoid taking hearing tests altogether. As a result, many individuals may visit hospitals or clinics only after symptoms of hearing loss become noticeable. The individuals may be unaware of the incremental hearing losses that may be occurring due to exposure in their environments, such as working around loud equipment, engines, or machinery.

[0016] Types of OAEs may include a distortion-product OAEs (DPOAEs), transient- evoked OAEs (TEOAEs), stimulus-frequency OAEs (SFOAEs), and spontaneous OAEs (SOAEs). DPOAEs can be measured based on responses from the ear to a pair of pure tones. TEOAEs can be measured based on responses from the ear to clicks, tone-bursts or other transient stimuli. SFOAEs can be measured based on responses from the ear to single pure tones. SOAEs can be measured based on spontaneous responses from the ear, produced without stimulation. SOAEs might not be present in some individuals with normal hearing.

[0017] Implementations of this disclosure address problems such as these by utilizing headphones to perform a passive hearing test based on DPOAEs (in which two or more pairs of tones of a test sound are played simultaneously), with multiple test sounds played one afteranother, in a cadence. This may result in a sound sequence with melody (musical sound) that is pleasant for the user to hear. This may also result in a hearing test that may be performed faster for the user. The test sounds may be played to passively test hearing of the user. For example, test sounds may be played, and DPOAE measurements collected, without the user initiating the test or responding to the test. In some cases, the test sounds may be played and measurements collected in response to events that might otherwise produce an audible notification or alert giving feedback to the user, such as the user wearing the headphones, activating acoustic noise cancellation or active noise control (ANC), or activating a digital assistant. In some cases, the hearing test may be divided into multiple portions that may be triggered at various times based on different events, then aggregated to complete the hearing test based on a stopping rule. This may enable a hearing test to be performed faster and / or more conveniently for the user. This may also enable earlier intervention of possible hearing loss.

[0018] In some implementations, systems and methods described herein include administering a passive hearing test on a headphone (or earbud) that offers a more pleasant and efficient testing experience for the user. The hearing test can utilize two pairs of two frequencies at a time, with four tones played, to reduce data collection time (e.g., playing four tones to measure two DPOAEs, as opposed to two tones to measure one DPOAE, to cut the collection time in half). The tones may be interleaving tones, sweeping through a plurality of tones to generate a melodic stimulus, until heterodyne circuitry (e.g., a heterodyne, implementing real valued heterodyning, or complex heterodyning to reduce artifacts) or bandpass filtering circuitry estimates or extracts the OAEs to generate DPOAEs.

[0019] In some implementations, a swept tone may be used to measure DPOAEs. A frequency of the swept tone can change slowly with time, e.g., one octave per second. Also, in some implementations, multiple pairs of swept tones can be presented simultaneously to reduce test time and / or improve pleasantness of the sound.

[0020] Several aspects of the disclosure with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described are not explicitly defined, the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an example of a system 100 for performing a passive hearing test. The system 100 may be part of a wearable device, such as headphones having a speaker 102 and a microphone 104, which could also be connected to a smartphone, head mounted display, or other device. For example, the headphones may be over-ear, on-ear, loose fitting earbuds, and / or sealing in-ear devices, worn by a user. The microphone 104 may be an error microphone configured to pick-up sound in an ear canal of the user, such as OAEs (as opposed to an ambient microphone, which may be utilized to pick-up sound in an environment of the user, such as for operating in an ANC mode or transparency mode).

[0022] The system may include one or more processors executing instructions stored in memory to perform steps for the hearing test. The hearing test may be initiated by the user on demand or may be configured by the user to occur in the background. The steps may include playing, via the speaker 102, a test sound comprised of a first pair A of tones 106A (e.g., Tone la and Tone 2a, played at a first pair of frequencies Flaand F2aand pressure levels Llaand L2a, respectively) and a second pair B of tones 106B (e.g., Tone lb and Tone 2b, played at a second pair of frequencies Fib and F2b and pressure levels Lib and L2b, respectively). Each tone may have a predominant amount of energy in a narrow band around a single center frequency, such as center frequency Flafor Tone la, and each tone may be different (e.g., Fla, F2a, Fib, and F2b may each be different frequencies). Thus, each pair of tones may be played based on at least two frequencies that are different from one another, such as Flaand F2aat different frequencies. The separation of frequencies for each pair of tones (e.g., Flaand F2aseparated for Tone la) may be based on a predefined range or ratio, such as 1.1 < F2 / Fl < 1.35, or F2 / F1 approximately equal to 1.2. Further, when multiple pairs of tones are used, the frequencies for each pair may be separated by a predefined bandwidth, such as at least one octave (e.g., F2aand F2b may be at least one octave apart). A DPOAE may be generated for each pair of tones based on the equation Foae = 2F1 - F2. For example, DPOAE A may be generated for the pair of Tone la (Fla) and Tone 2a (F2a) based on the equation Foaea= 2Fla- F2aand DPOAE B may be generated for the pair of Tone lb (Fib) and Tone 2b F2b) based on the equation Foaeb = 2Flb - F2b.

[0023] The first pair of tones 106 A and the second pair of tones 106B may be played at the same time (simultaneously) to one ear of the user to test the one ear, or to both ears of the user to test both ears. In some cases, additional pairs of tones may be played, with each tone and / or each pair of tones separated by a predefined bandwidth, such as at least one octave. For example, a third pair of tones at a third pair of frequencies, and / or a fourth pair of tones at a fourth pair of frequencies, may also be played at the same times as the first pair oftones 106 A and the second pair of tones 106B. The tones may be played by a processor generating audio signals corresponding to or containing the first pair of tones 106A and the second pair of tones 106B which drive the speaker 102 of the headphones.

[0024] Each tone may be ramped or amplified by gain circuitry and combined with at least one other tone to generate a pair of tones. For example, Tone la may be amplified by a first gain circuit, and Tone 2a may be amplified by a second gain circuit, with Tone la and Tone 2a combined to generate a first pair of tones 106A. Similarly, Tone lb may be amplified by a third gain circuit, and Tone 2b may be amplified by a fourth gain circuit, with Tone lb and Tone 2b combined to generate the second pair of tones 106B. The pairs of tones, in turn, may be combined to generate the test sound, so that tones of the pairs of tones are played at the same time via the speaker 102. The tones can be generated, amplified, and combined, for example, based on digital signal processing. Playing a test sound as an acoustic stimulus may cause one or more OAEs to be generated by the ear of the user. For example, the OAEs may be generated by outer hair cells (sensory cells) within the cochlea of the user.

[0025] The steps may further include measuring, for a test sound, a first DPOAE (DPOAE A) caused by the first pair of tones 106 A and a second DPOAE (DPOAE B) caused by the second pair of tones 106B. In some cases, additional DPOAEs may be measured for additional pairs of tones that are played (e.g., DPOAE C and / or DPOAE D). A DPOAE estimator 108 can estimate or extract DPOAE A corresponding to the first pair of tones 106 A, and DPOAE B corresponding to the second pair of tones 106B, from the OAEs generated by the ear. The DPOAE estimator 108 can also estimate noise levels (which can then be used by an SNR estimator to estimate the SNR as DPOAE level - noise level).

[0026] In some implementations, to estimate frequency levels, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and / or heterodyne circuity may be used. The heterodyne circuity may be advantageous to the extent it may enable an improved frequency analysis based on setting a heterodyne frequency to an exact targeted Foae frequency (as compared to an FFT which may have a certain set of binned frequencies with spectral estimation results interpolated between bins). Further, the heterodyne circuity may be advantageous by avoiding a large buffer space for calculations which is typically associated with FFT circuitry. For example, the heterodyne circuity may act as a bandpass filter that avoids the buffer space, which may be useful in an embedded system with limited resources such as limited working memory (e.g., ear buds). By way of example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for heterodyne circuity an input signal from the microphone 104 may be multiplied by a complex heterodyning signal H(t) = exp (-2 i 7t F t), where i is the square root of -1. This may cause the spectrum of the input signal x to beshifted by -F. If F is Foae, and the signal x has a sinusoidal component at Foae, then that signal may be shifted to a frequency 0 Hz. The OAE signal amplitude envelope may then be recovered by low pass filtering of the heterodyned signal. The DPOAE estimator 108 could be implemented by heterodyne circuitry 120. The heterodyne circuitry 120 can estimate DPOAE A and a DPOAE B, caused by the first pair of tones 106 A and the second pair of tones 106B, respectively. For example, for Tone pair A, Foaeamay be given by 2Fla- F2a, DPOAE A may be given by cosine (2n * Foaea* Time), and DPOAE B may be given by - cosine (2TI * Foaeb * Time). Thus, the heterodyne circuitry 120 may be utilized to measure DPOAE A and DPOAE B at the same time. In some cases, the DPOAE estimator 108 may be implemented by bandpass filtering circuitry that estimates or extracts the DPOAE A and DPOAE B. Further, with the heterodyne, for N input samples, the number of arithmetic operations may be proportional to N, versus N log N for FFT circuity. This can result in improved speed and efficiency when utilizing heterodyne circuity. As a result, the heterodyne circuity may enable an exact frequency analysis, reduced or eliminated memory, and a reduced computational load.

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 1, a first SNR estimator 110A can then determine whether the first DPOAE (DPOAE A) meets or exceeds a minimum SNR threshold. Similarly, a second SNR estimator HOB can determine whether the second DPOAE (DPOAE B) meets or exceeds the minimum SNR threshold. The SNR may be a ratio of OAE to noise in the ear canal. A measured DPOAE meeting or exceeding a minimum SNR threshold may indicate an acceptable measurement that may be used to determine a test result for the user at the target frequency of the DPOAE (e.g., the measured DPOAE may be accepted for test results). For example, the test result may comprise a DP -gram showing one or more DPOAE levels (and noise estimates) as a function of frequency for the user. In some cases, the test result may comprise an audiometric threshold for the user, which may be mapped from the DP -gram. A measured DPOAE that does not meet the minimum SNR threshold may indicate a lesser quality measurement that might not be used to determine a test result (e.g., the measured DPOAE may be rejected). Measured DPOAEs that meet or exceed the minimum SNR threshold may be stored in a data structure 112. The DPOAE estimator 108, the first SNR estimator 110A, and the second SNR estimator HOB can be performed, for example, by digital signal processing.

[0028] For example, with additional reference to FIG. 3, a graph illustrates measurements of DPOAE A and DPOAE B based on the first pair of tones 106 A (Fla, F2a) and the second pair of tones 106B (Fib, F2b), respectively. In FIG. 3, four tones are played(Tones 1-4, corresponding to Fla, F2a, Fib, F2b, respectively) in two pairs to cause two DPOAEs (e g., DPOAE A and DPOAE B). Playing the four tones to measure two DPOAEs provides a more efficient dual measurement, as opposed to playing two tones to measure one DPOAE. This can reduce the collection time for the hearing test. As shown, each of the first pair of tones 106 A and the second pair of tones 106B exceed a dynamic minimum SNR threshold 130 and may therefore be accepted for test results (e.g., for determination of test results corresponding to those DPOAE target frequencies).

[0029] Referring again to FIG. 1, the steps may further include repeating the playing and measuring steps to generate a plurality of measurements for the plurality of test sounds, respectively, in succession with one another. Each test sound may change with respect to one or more frequencies, and / or one or more pressure levels, of one or more tones. Each pair of tones may be configured to generate a DPOAE to determine a test result at the frequency of the DPOAE for the hearing test.

[0030] For example, with additional reference to FIG. 4, a graph illustrates measuring pairs of DPOAEs (e.g., DPOAE A and DPOAE B) while playing a sound sequence with melody (musical sound). The DPOAEs are caused by test sounds that are played in succession with one another. At time 1, a DPOAE A at a 0.5 kHz target frequency, and a DPOAE B at a 3.0 kHz target frequency, may each be measured based on a first pair of tones 106 A and a second pair of tones 106B corresponding to test sound 1 being played. Then, at time 2, a DPOAE A at a 1.0 kHz target frequency, and a DPOAE B at a 4.0 kHz target frequency, may each be measured based on a next first pair of tones 106 A and a next second pair of tones 106B corresponding to test sound 2 played in succession. Then, at time 3, a DPOAE A at a 1.5 kHz target frequency, and a DPOAE B at a 6.0 kHz target frequency, may each be measured based on a next first pair of tones 106A and a next second pair of tones 106B corresponding to test sound 3 played in succession. Then, at time 4, a DPOAE A at a 2.0 kHz target frequency, and a DPOAE B at a 8.0 kHz target frequency, may each be measured based on a next first pair of tones 106 A and a next second pair of tones 106B corresponding to test sound 4 played in succession. The test sounds 1 to 4 may be played at a playback speed to generate a sound sequence for the user. For example, as opposed to long monotonous tones, the test sounds may be played one after another, in a repeating or interleaving pattern, with melodicity and cadence. This may result in a sequence of test sounds (e.g., test sounds 1 -4) generated that together form the sound sequence (musical sound) as perceived by the user of the headphones. The sound sequence may have a melody, perceivable by the user based on the playback speed, which is pleasant for the user to hear. Insome cases, the test sounds can play in a repeating pattern (e.g., looping from times 1 to 4), and the system 100 can measure the DPOAEs where possible, or update measurements of DPOAEs when greater SNRs are measured, on subsequent iterations.

[0031] In some cases, the test sound(s) may be a notification sound that provides feedback to the user. For example, the test sound(s) may be played in response to an event that is detected by the system 100, such as the user wearing the headphones (putting them on or placing them in the ear), activating ANC 114 to provide acoustic noise cancellation or active noise control, activating a digital assistant, etc. Measurements of DPOAEs may be taken following the events.

[0032] The steps may further include determining a test result for the user based on one or more of the plurality of measurements (e.g., a measured first DPOAE and a measured second DPOAE for one or more test sounds that are played). The test result may also be stored in the data structure 112. For example, the test result may comprise a DP-gram showing one or more DPOAE levels (and noise estimates) as a function of frequency for the user. In some cases, the test result may comprise an audiometric threshold for the user, which may be mapped from the DP-gram. The test result may be correlated with hearing sensitivity of the user. In some implementations, the test result (from listening to a musical chime) can probe the user’s DP-gram to determine the identity of the user, for example, to unlock a device, application, or service.

[0033] In some cases, determining the test result may include determining one or more DPOAE shift reference limits for serial monitoring of hearing health of the user. The one or more DPOAE shift reference limits may define upper bounds of change to DPOAEs that are expected due to normal variability and not due to a change in hearing health. When applying the one or more DPOAE shift reference limits for serial monitoring, the measurements of DPOAEs may be compared to the DPOAE shift reference limits. The measurements may comprise a baseline of hearing health of the user. DPOAE changes (e.g., A DPOAE) indicated by measurements that are greater than the reference limits may then trigger a flag. This may cause, for example, an alert to be generated to the user, such as an audible cue to be played or a visible message to be displayed indicating a report of hearing health to the user, or other action to be generated by the system. The serial monitoring may occur when new measurements of DPOAEs are acquired. In some cases, the serial monitoring may occur periodically, e.g., at specified times, hourly, daily, or weekly, over a predefined time window. In other cases, this serial monitoring may occur on demand based on input from the user.

[0034] As a result, the hearing test may be performed passively, based on playing a sound sequence (a musical sound) and measuring DPOAEs, without user input during testing. Based on maintaining the playback speed and cadence to achieve the melody, a pleasant sound sequence may be provided to the user. Further, a next test sound of the test sounds may be played regardless of whether DPOAEs are measured for a previous test sound of the test sounds. For example, the system 100 does not continue to play a test sound for a lengthy amount of time, waiting until a DPOAE exceeding the minimum SNR threshold is measured. Instead, the system 100 can play the test sound for a relatively short time, such as 500ms or less, measure multiple DPOAEs exceeding the minimum SNR threshold, if possible, then continue to a next test sound to measure multiple DPOAEs that test sound if possible. In some cases, the test sounds can play one time through, and the system 100 can measure the DPOAEs where possible. In some cases, the test sounds may repeat, and the system 100 can measure and update the DPOAEs where possible.

[0035] In some implementations, the test sounds may be played while applying ANC 114 to the headphones in an ANC mode of the headphones. The ANC 114 can be used to drive the speaker 102 to generate a sound field that is electronically designed to destructively interfere with leaked ambient sound to the ear of the user to create a quiet region at the user’s ear drum. Playing the test sounds while applying ANC 114 may enable improved measurements of DPOAEs, above the minimum SNR threshold. For example, the ANC 114 may enable the user to take the hearing test outside of a sound treated lab / booth in a research or clinical environment (which may be a noisier environment), such as the user’s home or other place of choice.

[0036] Reference is now made to flowcharts of examples of processes for performing passive hearing tests. The processes can be executed using computing devices, such as the systems, hardware, and software described with respect to FIGS. 1-4. The processes can be performed, for example, by executing a machine-readable program or other computerexecutable instructions, such as routines, instructions, programs, or other code. The operations of the processes or other techniques, methods, or algorithms described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, firmware, software executed by hardware, circuitry, or a combination thereof.

[0037] For simplicity of explanation, the processes are depicted and described herein as a series of operations. However, the operations in accordance with this disclosure can occur in various orders and / or concurrently. Additionally, other operations not presented anddescribed herein may be used. Furthermore, not all illustrated operations may be required to implement a process in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

[0038] FIG. 5 is an example of a process 500 for performing a passive hearing test (without user input) based on measurements of DPOAEs. The DPOAEs may be estimated from OAEs caused by test sounds emitted to the ear of the user. The hearing test may be an on-demand hearing test that the user initiates (e.g., via selection of a hearing test in an application program, or a user command to a digital assistant). The hearing test can run continuously until a stopping rule is met. For example, the hearing test can run until test results are complete (e.g., DPOAEs are measured for a minimum number of test sounds for determining test results for the user) or a timeout is reached (e.g., 30-60 seconds predefined as a maximum time). During the hearing test, a plurality of DPOAEs at a full set of target frequencies, configured to meet a quality level for target data, may be measured and collected within a single session of the hearing test.

[0039] At operation 502, a system can play via headphones worn by a user a test sound comprised of a first pair of tones played at a first pair of frequencies and a second pair of tones played at a second pair of frequencies. For example, the system 100 can play a first pair of tones 106 A and a second pair of tones 106B. The pair of tones 106 A and the second pair of tones 106B may be played at the same time (simultaneously) to one or both ears of the user. In some cases, the system 100 can further play a third pair of tones at a third set of frequencies and / or a fourth pair of tones played at a fourth pair of frequencies at the same time. Each tone, and / or pair of tones, may comprise frequencies separated from other frequencies by a predefined bandwidth, such as at least one octave. In some implementations, test sounds may be played while applying ANC to the headphones (e.g., ANC 114).

[0040] At operation 504, the system can measure, for the test sound, a first DPOAE A caused by the first pair of tones and a second DPOAE B caused by the second pair of tones. For example, the system 100 can measure DPOAE A caused by the first pair of tones 106 A and DPOAE B caused by the second pair of tones 106B. In some cases, the system 100 can also measure a third DPOAE (DPOAE C) caused by a third pair of tones and / or a fourth DPOAE (DPOAE D) caused by a fourth pair of tones.

[0041] At operation 506, the system can determine whether a stopping rule has been met. The stopping rule may speed up DPOAE data collection while maintaining high quality data. The stopping rule may stop data collection when one or more conditions are satisfied, such as meeting or exceeding a noise floor, SNR, and / or data collection time. In some cases, the stopping rule may be defined, for example, as either successfully measuring a set ofDPOAEs (e.g., a first DPOAE and a second DPOA) for a minimum number of test sounds (e.g., for determining a test result for the user) or reaching a timeout, such as 30 seconds (e.g., a predefined maximum time for a hearing test). If the stopping rule has not been met (“No”), the system can return to operation 502 to play a next test sound (e.g., changing one or more frequencies), then operation 504 to measure a first DPOAE and a second DPOAE for the next test sound. As a result, a plurality of test sounds may be played until the stopping rule is met.

[0042] If the stopping rule has been met (“Yes”), the system can continue to operation 508 to determine a test result for the user based on one or more measurements (e.g., measured first DPOAEs second DPOAE for one or more test sounds of the plurality of test sounds). For example, the test result may comprise a DP-gram showing one or more DPOAE levels (and noise estimates) as a function of frequency for the user. In some cases, the test result may comprise an audiometric threshold for the user, which may be mapped from the DP-gram. The test result may be correlated with hearing sensitivity of the user. In some cases, determining the test result may include determining one or more DPOAE shift reference limits for serial monitoring of hearing health of the user, and comparing measurements of DPOAEs to the DPOAE shift reference limits to determine an action to be generated by the system.

[0043] FIG. 6 is another example of a process 600 for performing a passive hearing test (without user input) based on measurements of DPOAEs. The DPOAEs may be estimated from OAEs caused by test sounds emitted to the ear of the user. The hearing test may be performed in the background with the user’s awareness (e.g., based on a user configurable setting in an application program, or a user command to a digital assistant). In the process 600, the user does not have to initiate the test once configured to run in the background. For example, the test sounds can be played to the user via the headphones, and corresponding DPOAEs measured, in response to one or more system event sounds. For example, the test sound can correspond to the sound output to a user when the user utilizes the headphones by wearing them. That is, the user may put earbuds on or place them in the ear, which triggers a chime notification. As another example, the test sound can correspond to a notification sound that is output to the user when the user initiates a digital assistant. As yet another example, the test sound can correspond to a notification sound that is output to the user when the user changes operating modes of the headset (e.g., turning on / off different noise cancellation modes and transparency modes).

[0044] The hearing test can be run in one session. Alternatively, the hearing test can be administered in multiple sessions. For example, a portion of the hearing test can runbriefly at the moment of a system event. In these situations, it may last a short amount of time, such as one second. As discussed above, the test sound would operate as both a notification alert to the user and a portion of a hearing test. Subsequently, multiple other events throughout a day or week can cause multiple other portions of the hearing test to run, with each portion playing one or more test sounds and measuring one or more pair of DPOAEs. The multiple portions of the hearing test can run until a stopping rule is met, such as either a full set of target DPOAE frequencies measured, configured to meet a quality level for target data, are measured and collected for the complete hearing test, or a timeout is reached, such as 30 seconds or 60 seconds (e.g., 30 portions of a single hearing test). For example, the portions may be spread in time over multiple events and aggregated to result in a single hearing test that is longer in duration (e.g., 30 seconds, from 30 portions of one second each).

[0045] At operation 602, a system including a wearable device such as headphones can be configured by a user to stand by for an event for performing a hearing test. For example, the system 100 can perform a portion of a hearing test in the background with the user’s awareness, triggered by the event. The user can configure the hearing test by selecting a user configurable setting in an application program or giving a command to a digital assistant. The event could be a predefined event that might normally be associated with another notification sound that provides feedback to the user, such as the user wearing the headphones, activating ANC 114 to the headphones, or activating a digital assistant. In some implementations, the system can utilize a microphone to detect ambient sound above a threshold. Such sound may indicate possible exposure to a damaging amount of noise, such as loud music, construction noise, a jackhammer, etc. Detecting the ambient sound above the threshold may comprise an event that is triggered.

[0046] At operation 604, the system can determine whether an event is detected. If an event is not detected (“No”), the system can return to operation 602 to continue standing by for an event. If an event is detected (“Yes”), the system can continue to operation 606 to perform a portion of a hearing test to one or both ears of the user. For example, the portion of the hearing test may be triggered by the event, such as for one second corresponding to a notification alert or chime to the user indicating the event. Performing the portion of the hearing test may include playing one or more test sounds and measuring one or more DPOAEs, including as described with respect to FIG. 5. In some cases, if an event is detected, the system can send a notification to the user that suggests taking the hearing test (as opposed to automatically performing the hearing test).

[0047] At operation 608, the system can determine whether the hearing test is complete. For example, the hearing test may be complete when a stopping rule is met. The stopping rule may be met when either a full set of target frequencies, configured to meet a quality level for target data, are measured and collected for a complete hearing test, or a timeout is reached, such as 30 seconds (e.g., corresponding to 30 portions of the hearing test having been aggregated). If the hearing test is not complete (“No”), the system can return to operation 602 to continue standing by for a next event.

[0048] If the hearing test is complete (“Yes”), the system can continue to operation 610 to determine a test result for the user based on one or more measurements (e.g., measured first DPOAEs and second DPOAE for one or more test sounds for each of the portions of the hearing test). For example, the test result may comprise a DP -gram showing one or more DPOAE levels (and noise estimates) as a function of frequency for the user. In some cases, the test result may comprise an audiometric threshold for the user, which may be mapped from the DP-gram. The test result may be correlated with hearing sensitivity of the user. In some cases, determining the test result may include determining one or more DPOAE shift reference limits for serial monitoring of hearing health of the user, and comparing measurements of DPOAEs to the DPOAE shift reference limits to determine an action to be generated by the system.

[0049] Thus, the plurality of test sounds may be played at different times in response to different events. DPOAE measurements resulting from the test sounds may be aggregated for a single hearing test. For example, a first portion of the hearing test may be performed, with test sounds played and DPOAEs measured when the user wears the headphones. Then, a second portion of the hearing test may be performed, with more test sounds played and DPOAEs measured, when a digital assistant is activated. Additional portions may be performed in this way until the stopping rule is met and the results aggregated.

[0050] Aspects described herein may include the gathering and use of data available from specific and legitimate sources performing a passive hearing test. This disclosure considers that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to identify a specific person. The personal information data may include location-based data, online identifiers, demographic data, phone numbers, email and / or addresses, data or records relating to a user’s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth (DOB), or any other personal information.

[0051] This disclosure considers that those entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and / or privacy practices. In particular, such entities would be expected to implement and consistently apply privacy practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. Such information concerning the use of personal data should be noticeable and easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and / or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be gathered for legitimate uses only. Further, such collection / sharing should occur only after receiving the consent of the users or other legitimate basis specified in applicable law.

[0052] Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices.

[0053] Additionally, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being gathered and / or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations that may serve to impose a higher standard. For instance, in the U.S., collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and / or state laws, e.g., the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly.

[0054] This disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in this technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used for performing a passive hearing test. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to have greater control of the delivered content.

[0055] Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by this disclosure. For example, health and fitness data may be used, in accordance with the user’s preferences to provide insights into their general wellness or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals.

[0056] This disclosure also considers embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, this disclosure considers that hardware and / or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of performing a passive hearing test, thistechnology can be configured to allow users to select to an opt in or opt out of participation in the gathering of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter.

[0057] Furthermore, this disclosure considers that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the gathering of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed.

[0058] Additionally, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user’s privacy. For example, de- identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing identifiers, controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., combining data across users), and / or other methods, e.g., differential privacy.

[0059] Therefore, although this disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, this disclosure also considers that the embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the embodiments described herein are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users based on aggregated non-personal information data or a minimum amount of personal information, e.g., the content being handled only on the user’s device or other non-personal information available to the content delivery services.

[0060] In utilizing the various aspects of the embodiments, it would become apparent to one skilled in the art that combinations or variations of the above embodiments are possible for performing a passive hearing test. Although the embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. The specific features and acts disclosed are instead to be understood as embodiments of the claims useful for illustration.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: a) playing, via headphones worn by a user, a test sound comprised of a pair of tones; b) measuring, for the test sound, a distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) caused by the pair of tones; repeating a) to generate a plurality of test sounds in succession with one another and at a playback speed that generates a sound sequence for the user; repeating b) to generate a plurality of measurements for the plurality of test sounds, respectively, wherein each measurement is of a DPOAE caused by one of the plurality of test sounds; and determining a test result for the user based on one or more of the plurality of measurements.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: playing a second pair of tones, wherein the pair of tones and the second pair of tones are played at the same time, and wherein the measuring includes measuring a second DPOAE caused by the second pair of tones.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds corresponds to a notification sound that provides feedback to the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played in response to an event comprising the user wearing the headphones.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played at different times in response to different events as portions of a single hearing test.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the test result is determined based on the measured DPOAE exceeding a minimum signal to noise ratio (SNR) threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a next test sound of the plurality of test sounds is played regardless of whether a DPOAE is measured for a previous test sound of the plurality of test sounds.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played until either a DPOAE is measured for a minimum number of test sounds or a timeout is reached.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein heterodyne circuitry is utilized to estimate the DPOAE.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played in an interleaving pattern to cause a melody.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played to both ears of the user at the same time to test both ears.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played while applying active noise control (ANC) to the headphones.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein each test sound changes one or more frequencies.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein frequencies of the tones are separated by a predefined bandwidth.

15. A system, comprising: headphones worn by a user; a microphone to pick up an otoacoustic emission (OAE) of the user; and one or more processors executing instructions stored in memory to: a) play, via the headphones, a test sound comprised of a pair of tones; b) measure, for the test sound, a DPOAE caused by the pair of tones; repeat a) to generate a plurality of test sounds in succession with one another and at a playback speed that generates a sound sequence for the user;repeat b) to generate a plurality of measurements for the plurality of test sounds, respectively, wherein each measurement is of a DPOAE caused by one of the plurality of test sounds; and determine a test result for the user based on one or more of the plurality of measurements.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of test sounds corresponds to a notification sound that is played in response to an event.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played in response to an event comprising activating ANC.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played until a stopping rule is met.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of test sounds is played in a repeating pattern to cause a musical sound.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors further execute to: aggregate measurements from portions of hearing tests played at different times in response to different events.

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