Portable Hearing Test Apparatus with Phoneme Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing prevalence of hearing loss due to personal audio usage and noisy environments necessitates an effective and portable method for testing hearing ability, as traditional hearing tests are often time-consuming and require specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A portable sound source playing apparatus that outputs signals indicating phonemes, allowing users to respond to their audibility, with a processor that tests hearing ability based on frequency band characteristics and adjusts sound output accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional hearing tests are used, then hearing ability can be assessed, but testing time is long and specialized equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The portable sound source playing apparatus integrates multiple functions including hearing test capability, sound source playback, and hearing characteristic reflection into a single device. This eliminates the need for separate specialized hearing test equipment and reduces testing time by combining functions that were previously performed by different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus automatically reflects hearing test results back into its sound output characteristics. The processor analyzes user responses to phoneme signals and automatically adjusts subsequent sound output based on the measured hearing characteristics, eliminating the need for manual configuration or external equipment setup.
2Measurement precision
If traditional hearing tests are used, then hearing ability can be assessed, but specialized equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The portable sound source playing apparatus integrates multiple functions including hearing test capability, sound source playback, and hearing characteristic reflection into a single device. This eliminates the need for separate specialized hearing test equipment and reduces testing time by combining functions that were previously performed by different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus automatically reflects hearing test results back into its sound output characteristics. The processor analyzes user responses to phoneme signals and automatically adjusts subsequent sound output based on the measured hearing characteristics, eliminating the need for manual configuration or external equipment setup.
3Productivity
If phoneme signals are output for hearing test, then hearing characteristics can be measured, but test reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the processor receives user responses to phoneme signals, analyzes hearing characteristics based on these responses, and automatically adjusts subsequent sound output. This continuous feedback loop ensures that the hearing test remains reliable while maintaining high testing efficiency through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor dynamically changes output parameters (frequency, amplitude) of phoneme signals based on the measured hearing characteristics. By adapting the test parameters to the user's hearing profile, the system maintains high reliability even when using efficient phoneme-based testing rather than traditional pure tone testing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of testing a hearing ability of a user using a portable sound source playing apparatus includes; outputting a signal indicating at least one phoneme, obtaining a response of a user regarding a degree of audibility of the output signal, and testing the hearing ability of a user based on hearing characteristics of the user showing the degree of audibility of a frequency band comprising a frequency of the at least one phoneme based on the obtained response.