Hearing Test Device with Dynamic Sound Level Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing tests face challenges in accuracy due to anticipation of sound output time and strength, leading to reduced concentration and longer test times, especially in patients with presbycusis, and existing methods lack efficiency in determining auditory thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that configure multiple test sound sets with uniform volume differences, allowing for dynamic adjustment of sound output based on subject input, determining auditory thresholds by iteratively refining the sound levels and reducing the uniform level difference between successive sound sets, and enabling subjects to input their responses to determine hearable and unhearable volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional hearing test methods are used with direct frequency selection and manual control, then the tester can control the test process, but the test accuracy is reduced due to anticipation of sound output time and strength
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing test device automatically selects frequencies and controls sound output without requiring manual intervention from the tester. The device autonomously manages the entire test process, eliminating the tester's anticipation bias while maintaining operational simplicity through automated frequency selection and sound delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates automatic feedback mechanisms where the subject's responses are recorded and processed to determine auditory thresholds. The system dynamically adjusts test parameters based on subject responses, improving measurement precision while reducing the need for manual control and tester anticipation.
2Productivity
If manual frequency selection and sound output control are used, then the tester can adapt to test requirements, but the test time becomes considerably long
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-configures multiple frequency bands and sound output parameters before the test begins. Frequency selections and sound delivery schedules are predetermined and automatically executed, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustments and significantly reducing test duration while maintaining adaptability through pre-set test protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts test parameters such as frequency selection and sound output timing based on automated algorithms and subject responses. This dynamic adaptation allows the test to progress more quickly by skipping unnecessary frequencies or adjusting intervals, thereby reducing overall test time while maintaining accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If uniform interval sound output is used for automatic frequency selection, then the test can be carried out simply, but the monotony reduces subject concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces asymmetry in sound output patterns by varying intervals and timing between sound deliveries. Instead of uniform intervals, the system employs irregular timing patterns that prevent monotony and maintain subject concentration. This asymmetric scheduling is automatically managed by the device, preserving test simplicity while improving measurement precision through reduced subject fatigue and maintained attention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tester directly selects frequency and controls sound output, then the test can be conducted interactively, but the test requires considerable time and reduces subject concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The device autonomously manages frequency selection and sound output control without requiring continuous tester intervention. The automated system maintains test flexibility by independently adapting to subject responses and adjusting test parameters, thereby preserving adaptability while significantly reducing the time required for manual control and increasing subject concentration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of conducting a hearing test, and a device to perform the method, the method including configuring multiple test sound sets including multiple sound sources at each included audio frequency, wherein the sound sources, when sequentially arranged according to volume, have a uniform volume difference and a same frequency band, the uniform volume difference indicating a volume difference between neighboring sound sources, outputting the sound sources included in one of the multiple test sound sets, and determining and outputting a following test sound set according to a subject's input sound sources' number one or more times, and determining an auditory threshold of the subject regarding the audio frequency of the output test sound sets based on a result of the subject's input.