Hearing Diagnosis Device Otoacoustic Emission Database Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current otoacoustic emission testing can only determine whether a subject has hearing impairment, but not the degree of impairment or predict recovery, lacking the ability to assess physiological indexes of the ear.
Innovation Solution
A hearing diagnosis device and method that compares otoacoustic emission images with a database to determine the degree of hearing impairment by using a storage unit, otoacoustic emission detecting module, and hearing diagnosis management module, which includes a hearing diagnosis image sample database and information sample database to execute a hearing diagnosis operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional otoacoustic emission testing is used, then hearing test completion can be determined, but the degree of hearing impairment and physiological indexes cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hearing assessment into multiple frequency bands (e.g., low frequency, mid frequency, high frequency) and evaluates otoacoustic emission characteristics separately for each band. This segmentation enables determination of hearing impairment degree for different frequency ranges, transforming a binary pass/fail result into detailed quantitative assessment across multiple dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional assessment dimensions by analyzing multiple otoacoustic emission parameters including distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), and frequency-specific emission levels. This multi-dimensional analysis transforms the conventional single-dimension pass/fail assessment into a comprehensive evaluation that determines hearing threshold, impairment degree, and physiological status.
2Reliability
If conventional otoacoustic emission testing is used, then hearing pass/fail determination is achieved, but hearing recovery prediction is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment by measuring baseline otoacoustic emission characteristics before treatment and establishes reference values for different frequency bands. By comparing subsequent measurements against these pre-established references, the system can predict hearing recovery trajectory and evaluate treatment effectiveness, enabling proactive hearing care planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring otoacoustic emission changes over time and comparing them with expected recovery patterns. The system provides feedback on healing progress by analyzing trends in emission levels across frequency bands, allowing dynamic adjustment of treatment plans based on actual recovery trajectory.
3Ease of operation
If conventional otoacoustic emission testing is used, then simple pass/fail result is obtained, but quantitative hearing information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs automated analysis algorithms that automatically process otoacoustic emission signals and generate comprehensive hearing assessments without requiring manual interpretation. The system self-calibrates by comparing measurements against built-in reference databases, automatically determining hearing thresholds and impairment degrees, thus maintaining operational simplicity while extracting quantitative information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms raw otoacoustic emission signals into multiple derived parameters including emission level, signal-to-noise ratio, frequency-specific thresholds, and impairment indices. By changing the parameter representation from raw waveforms to processed metrics, the system preserves quantitative information while maintaining ease of interpretation through standardized output formats.
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 the determination of the degree of hearing impairment and prediction of hearing recovery by comparing otoacoustic emission images with a database, providing quantitative data for treatment planning.
Implementation Method 1
Otoacoustic emission (OAE) is a conventional technique for testing the inner ear functionality. During the test, an earplug including an earphone and a microphone is placed in the ear canal of the subject under test. The outer hair cells in the cochlea will vibrate slightly with the sound played by the earphone, and a sound wave (vibrating sound) is generated simultaneously with the vibration.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing diagnosis device and a hearing diagnosis method are provided. The device includes a storage unit, an otoacoustic emission detecting module, and a hearing diagnosis management module. The storage unit stores a hearing diagnosis image sample database and a hearing information sample database. The otoacoustic emission detecting module is configured to perform an otoacoustic emission detecting operation by playing a test audio to an ear of a user to obtain a first hearing diagnosis image corresponding to the ear. The hearing diagnosis management module is configured to perform a hearing diagnosis operation according to the first hearing diagnosis image, a plurality of hearing diagnosis image samples of the hearing diagnosis image sample database, and a plurality of hearing information samples, respectively corresponding to the hearing diagnosis image samples, of the hearing information sample database, so as to determine first hearing information of the ear.