Adaptive Audiometry Device for Hearing Threshold Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pure tone audiometry methods are subjective, dependent on the competencies and experience of the test leader, and do not meet the requirements for a fast, reliable, easy, and cost-effective screening procedure, especially for identifying hearing threshold levels in individuals with varying frequencies.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive method and device using tones of different frequencies and intensities, where test stimuli are independently adjusted based on the test person's responses, with automated stimulus selection and outlier rejection, allowing for accurate hearing threshold determination without relying on a test leader, utilizing a device with tone generators, response buttons, and ambient noise measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional pure tone audiometry is used with test leader guidance, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained through expert judgment, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and dependent on test leader competencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing threshold measurement accuracyVSAvoidtest procedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of stimulus parameters based on automated response analysis. The computer automatically adjusts tone intensity and frequency based on detected responses, eliminating the need for test leader intervention and enabling unattended operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring test person responses and automatically adjusting subsequent stimulus parameters. The computer analyzes responses in real-time and modifies the next test stimulus accordingly, optimizing the measurement process without requiring test leader expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pure tone audiometry is used with manual test leader control, then adaptive stimulus adjustment can be achieved, but the procedure becomes complex and requires high test leader competencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptive stimulus adjustmentVSAvoidtest procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual control system with an automated computer-based control system. The computer automatically manages stimulus presentation, response detection, and parameter adjustment, substituting human test leader operations with automated electronic control to reduce procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If traditional pure tone audiometry is used with behavioral response requirements, then hearing thresholds can be measured, but the procedure becomes unsuitable for individuals unable to cooperate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing threshold determinationVSAvoidtest accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces automated response detection mechanisms that serve as intermediaries between the test stimulus and the measurement outcome. Various response detection methods (acoustic, optical, mechanical) automatically detect hearing responses without requiring complex behavioral actions from the test person, making the test accessible to individuals with limited cooperation ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If traditional pure tone audiometry is used without automated noise monitoring, then test procedures can be conducted quickly, but ambient noise significantly affects measurement quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening speedVSAvoidhearing threshold accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary ambient noise measurement before conducting the actual hearing threshold test. By measuring and recording the ambient noise level in advance, the system can compensate for noise effects during threshold determination and identify outliers caused by noise interference, maintaining measurement accuracy without slowing down the screening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10292626B2Method and device for conducting a pure tone audiometry sceening

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 JACOTI

AI summary

A screening device for conducting a tone audiometry includes a tone generator, an input device, and a controller device. The controller device is arranged to repeatedly perform: selecting a test stimulus from a group of test stimuli; applying the selected test stimulus to a test person; receiving via the input device from the test person a response indicating which test stimulus was heard by the test person; and adjusting an intensity according to the received response for selecting a next test stimulus. The group of test stimuli includes (i) no tone at all, (ii) a single tone with a first frequency and a first given intensity, and (iii) a multitude of tones of a second frequency and a second given intensity. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency and the multitude of tones have a duration shorter than the duration of the single tone.