Oblique Ear Probe Insertion Detection and Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oblique ear-probe insertions in hearing testing diagnostic setups introduce inaccuracies in ear-canal reflectance measurements due to geometrical mismatches and evanescent modes, which existing technologies fail to adequately detect and compensate for.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect and compensate for oblique ear-probe insertions by estimating the characteristic impedance of the ear canal using a Hilbert transform and fitting polynomials to the measured impedance and inertance values across multiple frequency ranges, allowing for accurate reflectance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ear probe insertion is performed without strict control, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to oblique insertions
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures ear-canal reflectance and uses this measurement as feedback to detect oblique probe insertions. The reflectance measurement is analyzed to determine if the probe is correctly positioned, and if not, the system can indicate the need for repositioning, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing flexible insertion operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in reflectance parameters across different frequencies to detect oblique insertions. By analyzing how reflectance values change with frequency, the system can identify when the probe is not properly aligned, enabling detection of insertion angle deviations without restricting the insertion process
2Measurement precision
If characteristic impedance is estimated from ear-probe response, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex physical measurement setups with signal processing-based impedance estimation. Instead of using additional physical sensors or complex mechanical measurement apparatus, the system uses electrical signal processing of the ear-probe response to estimate characteristic impedance, reducing mechanical complexity while improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The ear-probe response measurement serves multiple functions: it is used both for the primary hearing threshold assessment and for estimating characteristic impedance. This multi-functionality allows the system to derive multiple useful parameters from a single measurement, reducing the need for additional separate measurement systems
3Ease of operation
If evanescent modes are present due to narrow aperture, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the approach from trying to eliminate evanescent modes to using their characteristic frequency-dependent behavior as a diagnostic tool. By analyzing how reflectance parameters change with frequency, the system can distinguish between true ear-canal acoustic properties and artifacts caused by evanescent modes, maintaining simple probe design while improving high-frequency measurement accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate estimation and compensation for oblique ear-probe insertions, ensuring reliable hearing diagnostic evaluations by minimizing errors caused by evanescent modes and geometrical mismatches, thereby improving the accuracy of reflectance and stimulus level calculations.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an acoustic stimulus into said waveguide via the ear probe
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detection and compensation for an oblique ear-probe insertion in especially hearing testing diagnostic setups. More particularly the disclosure relates to detecting an oblique probe insertion from an ear-probe measurement and estimated characteristic impedances and compensate for its effect on the ear-canal reflectance.