Adaptive Audiometry Scanning for High-Frequency Hearing Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing screening methods in mass examinations are inefficient due to the use of a narrow frequency range, manual audiometers, and fixed test signal levels, leading to increased time and labor costs, and reduced diagnostic accuracy, particularly in identifying high-frequency hearing impairments and tinnitus.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level tonal screening method using an extended frequency range (125-16000 Hz) and adjustable signal levels (20-45 dB) is implemented, allowing automatic classification of hearing levels through air and bone conduction headphones, reducing examination time to under 2 minutes per patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a narrow frequency range (500-4000 Hz) is used for screening, then the examination time is reduced and labor costs are lowered, but the diagnostic accuracy for high-frequency hearing impairments is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency range is segmented into multiple bands (low, mid, high frequencies) and tested in a hierarchical manner. The system first screens with a limited set of frequencies, then selectively expands to additional frequency bands only for subjects who show signs of hearing impairment, thereby balancing throughput and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the dimension of adaptive frequency expansion by introducing additional frequency bands (6000 Hz, 8000 Hz, and extended high frequencies) that are not always tested but become available when screening indicators suggest their necessity, enabling comprehensive assessment without always incurring full time cost.
2Device complexity
If manually operated audiometers are used with fixed test signal levels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the examination time increases and diagnostic reliability decreases due to inability to adapt to individual hearing thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The test signal level transitions from fixed to dynamically adjustable based on subject response. The system automatically adapts the signal level across multiple passes, increasing intensity for frequencies not initially detected and maintaining optimal levels for frequencies already detected, thereby reducing total examination time while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where subject responses (detected or not detected) automatically trigger subsequent test signal level adjustments. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to individual hearing thresholds without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If a single test signal level is used for all subjects, then the操作流程 is simplified, but the prognostic effectiveness is sharply reduced and unconfirmed referrals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test signal level becomes dynamic and subject-specific rather than uniform. The system automatically adjusts signal levels across multiple test passes based on individual subject responses, enabling accurate detection of hearing thresholds while maintaining automated operation that preserves procedural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of test signal level adaptively for each subject and frequency band. By implementing multi-pass testing with progressive level adjustments, the system achieves high diagnostic reliability without requiring complex manual intervention, as the parameter changes are automatically managed by the screening algorithm.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to medicine, namely to the section of preventive medicine, and can be used in screening audiometry for diagnostic purposes during mass preventive examinations of the population. The patient is consistently presented with sound signals in the frequency range: 125-250-500-750-1000-2000-3000-4000-6000-8000-10000-12000-16000 Hz at three tone levels of 20, 30 and 45 dB. In this case, they start with a 20 dB tone signal. If the patient replied “There is a signal” at all frequencies at a signal level of 20 dB, then no further tests are performed and the hearing condition is assessed as excellent. If the patient responds “No signal” at at least one of the frequencies at a signal level of 20 dB, the next frequency pass is triggered at a signal level of 30 dB. And if the patient replied “There is a signal” at all frequencies at a signal level of 30 dB, then the condition is assessed as a potential risk of hearing loss. If the patient responds “No signal” at at least one of the frequencies at a signal level of 30 dB, the next frequency pass is started at a signal level of 45 dB and the condition is assessed as the first degree of hearing loss. At the same time, if the patient responds “No signal” at at least one of the frequencies at a signal level of 45 dB, then the condition is assessed as the second degree of hearing loss. The method allows for an express hearing assessment in a short time period during mass preventive examinations of the population.