99 results about "Hearing ability" patented technology

The present invention discloses a portable phone using a sound receiving unit installed in the portable phone to receive a sound in the surrounding within an appropriate range, and then using a sound source playback device to play a sound after being amplified, so that a person having a hearing problem can just carry a mobile phone to concurrently have the basic functions of the mobile phone and use the sound amplification function of the mobile phone to supplement the deficiency of the hearing ability when talking to or communicating with others. The portable phone can be toggled between the regular telephone function and the hearing aid function, and thus concurrently serving as a hearing aid to the people who have a hearing problem.

A method for controlling and / or configuring a user-specific hearing system using a computing and / or communication device. The hearing system includes at least one hearing device customisable according to the individual hearing ability and / or preferences of a user of the hearing system. The method includes connecting the hearing system to a server via a network, connecting the computing and / or communication device to the server via the network, providing by the server a hearing system control and / or configuration service tailored to the user-specific hearing system to the computing and / or communication device, determining and / or selecting at the computing and / or communication device control data and / or configuration data using the hearing system control and / or configuration service, sending the control and / or configuration data from the computing and / or communication device to the hearing system, and adjusting the hearing system based on control and / or configuration data received at the hearing system.

The present invention relates to a pure tone audiometer, and more particularly, to a pure tone audiometer with automated masking which is capable of automatically performing air-conduction and bone-conduction hearing tests and automatically performing a masking test, if necessary, so that a person obtains an accurate pure tone hearing threshold without others' assistance. The pure tone audiometer of the present invention can accurately perform the pure tone hearing test with automated masking without assistance from a doctor or an audiologist. Thus, with the pure tone audiometer, people can easily check their hearing ability for prevention and early detection of hearing loss and take swift action to cure hearing loss.

A volume controlling system and method for regulating the output volume of a headset in order to protect the hearing ability of a user. The system includes a volume sensor / controller for monitoring the volume output of the headset by adjusting the volume to be within a predetermined threshold. A warning indicator indicates to the user or a person monitoring the listening user that the volume is set too high. The method include the steps of comparing the received audio signal to the predetermined volume threshold and adjusting the volume accordingly. The method also includes the steps of notifying that the volume has been set at too high a level by providing a warning signal, such as an audible or visual alarm.

A hearing aid fitting management system comprises a fitting device, a server, and a client device that are connectable to each other in a network. The server stores hearing ability data received from the client device as a hearing ability certificate, produces a prescription number corresponding to the hearing ability certificate, and sends the prescription number to the client device. The fitting device sends the server the prescription number that has been inputted. The server sends the fitting device the hearing ability certificate corresponding to the prescription number received from the fitting device. The fitting device sends the hearing ability certificate to a hearing aid, and limits the settings in the fitting of the hearing aid to within the range of the hearing ability data.

A method for fitting a cochlear prosthesis to a cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability, in order to exploit the residual acoustic hearing capability to the extent possible. A portion of the cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability is determined by measuring the neural response to acoustic and / or electrical stimulations. Electrical stimulations are applied only to the portions of the cochlea lacking acoustic hearing capability, or possessing only partial acoustic hearing capability. Surgical implantation depth may be optimised by the method, and / or a patient map may be suitably defined to implement the method.

A method and apparatus for customizing audio signal processing for a user by a mobile device is provided. The method includes identifying hearing characteristics of the user by testing hearing abilities of the user, by the mobile device, at a plurality of frequencies; adjusting a dynamic range of each of the plurality of frequencies based on the hearing characteristics; processing a decoded audio signal based on the adjusted dynamic range of each of the plurality of frequencies; and outputting the processed audio signal.

Hearing aid for improving the hearing ability of the hard of hearing, comprising an array of microphones, the electrical output signals of which are fed to at least one transmission path belonging to an ear. Means are provided for deriving two array output signals from the output signals of the microphones, the array having two main sensitivity directions running at an angle with respect to one another and each of which is associated to an array output signal. Each array output signal is fed to its own transmission path belonging to one ear of a person who is hard of hearing.

A hearing application suite includes enhancement and training for listening and hearing of prerecorded speech, extemporaneous voice communication, and non-speech sound. Enhancement includes modification of audio according to audiometric data representing subjective hearing abilities of the user, display of textual captions contemporaneously with the display of the audiovisual content, user-initiated repeating of a most recently played portion of the audiovisual content, user-controlled adjustment of the rate of playback of the audiovisual content, user-controlled dynamic range compression / expansion, and user controlled noise reduction. Training includes testing the user's ability to discern speech and / or various other qualities of audio with varying degrees of quality.

A method of testing hearing ability using a sound source reproducing apparatus, the method comprises outputting at least one test sound representing at least one frequency band, acquiring a response of a testee to a degree of audibility of the at least one test sound, and testing hearing ability of the testee in the at least one frequency band corresponding to each of the at least one test sound, respectively, according to the response of the testee.

A system for determining the hearing ability of an individual comprises a generator for generating a test stimulus signal, a hearing aid (2) having a digital signal processor for processing said test stimulus signal and converting it in order to output an acoustic stimulus signal, and a first synchronizing means. The system further comprises an electrophysiological instrument (1) having a second synchronizing means, and means (7) for establishing from said individual an evoked response to said acoustic signal. The first synchronizing means and said second synchronizing means exchange a synchronization signal in order to synchronize said evoked response to said acoustic stimulus signal. The invention also provides a hearing aid and a method for carrying out electrophysiological measurement of the hearing ability of an individual.

This invention describes methods of Audio Signal Personalized Enhancement for optimal listening to music. A combination of hearing test, audio signal compensation, and signal processing algorithms are implemented jointly in an audio Device. An audio signal is processed and tuned within the entire range of audible frequencies to actively compensate for both the characteristics of the listening device, and the specific hearing characteristics of the listener, resulting in a much improved music listening experience. A randomized self-test algorithm is used to analyze user's hearing ability in each ear within a preselected dynamic volume range at multiple frequencies spanning the audible spectrum.

A system and method of fitting an Electric Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) system of a patient that has binaural hearing is provided. The patient has an ipsilateral ear and a contralateral ear opposite the ipsilateral ear, with the EAS system associated with the ipsilateral ear of the patient. Stimulation parameters of the EAS system are developed unilaterally while taking into account hearing abilities of the contralateral ear. The EAS system is configured based on the developed stimulation parameters.

The invention provides a system for processing an electronic cochlear signal and coding electric stimulation and a processing method thereof. The system comprises an acoustic signal analyzing and processing module, an electric stimulation resolution testing and processing module and an electric stimulation coding module, wherein the acoustic signal analyzing and processing module analyzes an acoustic signal and extracts characteristic information to be transmitted by low frequency and high frequency channels; the electric stimulation resolution testing and processing module measures and fits individual electric stimulation part resolving power and electric stimulation speed resolving power of an electronic cochlear user, acquires individual resolution of the electronic cochlear user and perceives parameters of an electric stimulation mode through calculation processing; and the electric stimulation coding module codetermines a discharge mode of an electronic cochlear implant electrode according to the ability of the electronic cochlear user for receiving the electric stimulation information and an acoustic signal processing result. The system can farthest promotes the hearing ability of the electronic cochlear user and improve the ability of the electronic cochlear user in speech recognition and understanding of tone language and music under a noise background.

The method includes steps: receiving digital sound signal from a source of sound signal; sampling the digital sound signal to obtain multiple amplitude values; calculating an acoustic energy value within a prearranged time period by using multiple amplitude values as a parameter; when the acoustic energy value reaches to a prearranged energy value, generating a hearing protection signal; automatic adjusting downwards current gain value or generating visual or aural caution signal in order to respond the hearing protection signal. The invention also discloses hearing protection system, and sound output device. When acoustic energy value reaches to the value user can endure, the protection system adjusts downwards the current gain value or generates visual or aural caution signal automatically in order to protect hearing ability of user.

An equalization method using equal loudness curve, and a sound output apparatus using the same are disclosed. An audio signal is equalized using a standard loudness curve so as to increase a loudness of an audio signal. A sound quality can be significantly enhanced with the enhancement of a sound cleanness and quality when being adapted to a communication apparatus such as a telephone terminal, a transmitter or a repeater. When it is adapted to an audio apparatus such as a MP3, a common audio system, a car audio system, etc., it is possible to enhance a sound cleanness and quality, and a hearing ability. It can be used as a hearing aid.

The invention discloses a TV volume intelligent control method which comprises the following steps: a, a system is initialized and collocation information is loaded; b, the function for intelligently controlling the volume is judged whether to be opened or not; if yes, then step c is carried out; if not, then a TV normal playing menu is carried out; c, an external noise signal is picked, amplified and then sent to the AD conversion terminal of a CPU central processing unit together with a local audio signal; d, the extent of the signal after AD conversion is compared by the CPU to obtain a pre-adjusting factor; then the pre-adjusting factor is multiplied with the compensation value of the function for intelligently controlling the volume preset by a user and then is correspondingly converted into an adjusting factor; e, after the adjusting factor is multiplied with a volume control gene set by the user, the adjusting factor is sent to a volume adjusting unit for adjusting. In the invention, the hearing ability of a person can be better protected by loading the function for intelligently controlling the volume in a TV system and intelligently adjusting the volume of the TV aiming at the noise magnitude of an outside environment; simultaneously, the noise pollution of the outside environment is reduced and the living quality of residents is greatly improved.

The present invention discloses a portable phone using a sound receiving unit installed in the portable phone to receive a sound in the surrounding within an appropriate range, and then using a sound source playback device to play a sound after being amplified, so that a person having a hearing problem can just carry a mobile phone to concurrently have the basic functions of the mobile phone and use the sound amplification function of the mobile phone to supplement the deficiency of the hearing ability when talking to or communicating with others. The portable phone can be toggled between the regular telephone function and the hearing aid function, and thus concurrently serving as a hearing aid to the people who have a hearing problem.

The application possibilities of a hearing apparatus which can be worn on the head of a user, which allows the adjustment of the signal processing in the hearing apparatus to individual user specifications as well as to the individual hearing ability of the user, is to be improved. For this purpose, it is proposed to store a number of sets of control parameters, which significantly determine the signal processing in the hearing device, so-called user profiles in the hearing apparatus, between which a changeover can be made by activating a control element.

The invention provides a spatial sound locating test system. The spatial sound locating test system comprises a front sounder, a rear sounder, a left sounder, a right sounder, an upper sounder and a lower sounder. The sounders are all disposed on a virtual sphere. A height-adjustable lift chair is disposed in the virtual sphere. When a testee sits in the lift chair, the head of the testee is located right at the center of the virtual sphere. An answer-back unit for the testee to operate is arranged near the lift chair. Both the sounders and the answer-back unit are connected with a controller. The spatial sound positioning test system can be used to select people having high hearing ability by testing the testee's ability of spatial sound locating, and provides objective and accurate basis for the selection of military and local exceptional talents.

This hearing aid fitting device (1) comprises a client data storage section (10) that stores a plurality of hearing ability data and hearing adjustment result data for each of hearing ability data, a close user determination section (11) to which the client data storage section (10) and a hearing ability input section (12) are connected on the input side, a clustering section (13) that is connected to the output side of the close user determination section (11), a representative characteristic determination section (14) that is connected to the output side of the clustering section (13), an initial adjustment candidate selector (15) that is connected to the input side of the representative characteristic determination section (14), and a fine tuner (16) that is connected to the output side of the representative characteristic determination section (15).

A hearing assistance suitability determining device (120) according to the present invention is a hearing assistance suitability determining device (120) which determines a suitability (153) of a subject for dichotic hearing assistance, and includes: a hearing ability information obtaining unit (130) which obtains left-ear hearing ability information (150) and right-ear hearing ability information (151) each of which indicates a hearing ability for frequencies; a hearing ability type determining unit (131) which determines, among hearing ability types each of which is defined by a tendency in a change of the hearing ability with respect to the frequencies, a hearing ability type (152) of the hearing ability indicated by the left-ear hearing ability information (150) and the right-ear hearing ability information (151); and a suitability deciding unit (132) which determines, with reference to a suitability database (144), the suitability (153) of the subject for the dichotic hearing assistance based on a suitability corresponding, in the suitability database (144), to the hearing ability type (152) determined by the hearing ability type determining unit (131), the suitability database (144) showing a correspondence relationship between each of the hearing ability types and one of suitabilities of the subject for dichotic hearing assistance.

Provided are a method and apparatus to measure in real time the hearing ability of a user in a game environment of a mobile device. The method includes generating a series of sound patterns and visual patterns for a combination of a specific frequency and level of sound, and extracting ear characteristics of the user based on the user's responses to the series of sound patterns and visual patterns.

A method for controlling and / or configuring a user-specific hearing system using a computing and / or communication device. The hearing system includes at least one hearing device customizable according to the individual hearing ability and / or preferences of a user of the hearing system. The method includes connecting the hearing system to a server via a network, connecting the computing and / or communication device to the server via the network, providing by the server a hearing system control and / or configuration service tailored to the user-specific hearing system to the computing and / or communication device, determining and / or selecting at the computing and / or communication device control data and / or configuration data using the hearing system control and / or configuration service, sending the control and / or configuration data from the computing and / or communication device to the hearing system, and adjusting the hearing system based on control and / or configuration data received at the hearing system.

The present invention discloses a handheld device using a sound receiver, such as a mobile phone to receive a sound in the surrounding within an appropriate range, and after the sound volume is amplified appropriately, a source playback device such as an earphone is used to play the amplified sound, so that a person having a hearing problem can just carry a handheld device to have the basic functions of the handheld device such as sending and receiving a short message and also use the sound amplification function thereof to supplement the deficiency of the hearing ability when talking to or communicating with others.

A system and method for obtaining hearing ability related data from a subject outputs tones or sounds and monitors the subject's responses to the tones or sounds. An error condition is detected based on the responses, and corrective instructions are automatically delivered based on the error condition detected. The hearing evaluation is resumed by outputting tones or sounds, and the steps of outputting, monitoring, detecting, automatically delivering and resuming are iterated until evaluation of the subject's hearing has been completed.

A method of testing a hearing ability of a user using a portable sound source playing apparatus includes; outputting a signal indicating at least one phoneme, obtaining a response of a user regarding a degree of audibility of the output signal, and testing the hearing ability of a user based on hearing characteristics of the user showing the degree of audibility of a frequency band comprising a frequency of the at least one phoneme based on the obtained response.

A self-administered hearing testing comprises carrying out a first and second test comprising adjustment by the patient of the sound pressure level of at least one audio stimulus to the same specified hearing perception level and selection of the corresponding sound pressure level, thereby generating a first and a second test result corresponding to the values of the sound pressure levels selected by the patient; comparing the first test result and the second test result. The result of the test is accepted or rejected based on the closeness of the test results, and feedback is provided to the patient based on this closeness. In consequence, since feedback is given based on closeness of results of the two tests rather than the level at which the patient hears the audio stimulus, the test gives more accurate results than tests based on providing feedback according to absolute hearing ability.