Preprogrammed Hearing Aid with Integrated Audiometric Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of fitting hearing aids is complex and costly due to the need for audiometric testing and programming by audiologists, which involves multiple equipment and iterative adjustments, increasing the overall cost of the hearing aid.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid with a built-in audiometric testing mode that generates testing sounds at various frequencies, allowing users or clinicians to adjust the volume to threshold levels, and a processor that sets threshold hearing levels to define an amplitude-versus-frequency profile for automatic programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If audiometric testing and programming are performed by audiologists using external equipment, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the audiometric testing functionality and hearing aid programming capabilities into a single integrated device. The hearing aid itself generates testing tones through its audio output section and processes the patient's responses through its processor, eliminating the need for separate audiometric testing equipment and external programming systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid device performs multiple functions: it serves as both a hearing assistance device and an audiometric testing instrument. The same audio output section used for hearing aid function generates testing tones, and the same processor used for hearing aid signal processing also analyzes testing responses and determines threshold levels.
2Manufacturing precision
If iterative adjustments and multiple equipment are used for fitting, then programming precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary audiometric testing and automatically determines threshold levels before final programming is completed. By pre-determining the patient's hearing thresholds through integrated testing, the system reduces the number of iterative adjustments needed during the fitting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback during testing by monitoring the patient's responses to testing tones and automatically adjusting the testing protocol. The processor analyzes the feedback from the patient's auditory responses and uses this information to precisely determine threshold levels, reducing the need for multiple iterative adjustments.
3Reliability
If external testing equipment and professional services are required, then measurement reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid device performs self-testing and self-programming functions. The device generates its own testing tones, processes the patient's responses, determines threshold levels, and programs itself based on the testing results, eliminating the need for external professional equipment and services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the audiometric testing functionality from external professional equipment and relocates it directly into the hearing aid device itself. By removing the dependency on separate testing instruments and professional audiologists for the testing portion, the system reduces overall system cost while maintaining testing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid which is operable in an audiometric testing mode includes an audio output section, a volume control, a switching device, and a processor. The audio output section sequentially generates a number of testing sounds at a corresponding number of testing frequencies and provides each testing sound to the person who will be using the hearing aid. The volume control is used to adjust the amplitude of each testing sound to a level of audibility just above the person's threshold of hearing at the corresponding testing frequency. When the appropriate threshold volume level is set, the switching device is operated to generate a control signal. Based on operation of the volume control and the switching device for each of the testing sounds at each of the testing frequencies, the processor sets a plurality of threshold hearing levels associated with the corresponding testing frequencies. The threshold hearing levels collectively define an amplitude-versus-frequency profile which the processor applies in processing digital audio signals during normal use of the hearing aid.