Remote Hearing Test Probe Web Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hearing evaluation methods are burdensome and time-consuming, especially for individuals in remote or rural areas due to the need for clinical settings and limited access to audiological specialists, and there is a lack of effective internet-based diagnostic hearing systems.

Innovation Solution

A web-based system that allows remote hearing testing through an in-ear test probe connected to a hearing test adapter, enabling electronic communication over a network for device identification, session management, and operational control, including altering ear pressure and tone output, to facilitate hearing assessments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hearing evaluation methods are used in clinical settings, then diagnostic quality is maintained, but accessibility and time efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic qualityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A web-based server acts as an intermediary between the remote patient and the hearing test system. The server delivers test protocols, receives patient responses, and coordinates with the hearing test device, enabling remote access while maintaining standardized diagnostic quality through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical presence of a clinician and physical clinic infrastructure with an electronic web-based system. The hearing test device communicates electronically over a network, substituting the mechanical interaction of in-person clinical evaluation with digital communication while preserving diagnostic capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional hearing evaluation methods are used in clinical settings, then diagnostic quality is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic qualityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patients to perform hearing tests independently at home without requiring a clinician's physical presence. The web-based server automatically manages test delivery, timing, and data collection, allowing patients to complete evaluations at their convenience while maintaining standardized protocols for quality assurance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hearing test protocol continues uninterrupted through automated server control. The server continuously manages test presentation, collects responses in real-time, and coordinates with the hearing test device without breaks for clinician intervention, reducing overall time consumption while maintaining diagnostic rigor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If remote hearing testing is implemented, then accessibility and time efficiency improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web-based server provides multiple functions through a single platform: patient registration, test protocol delivery, response collection, data analysis, and device coordination. This universal system handles all aspects of remote hearing evaluation, reducing the need for multiple separate systems and simplifying overall complexity despite the distributed nature of the solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient and accessible hearing evaluations by allowing patients to undergo hearing tests in their own environment, reducing costs and time constraints while maintaining standardized diagnostic quality.

Implementation Method 1

The operational command controls the operation of the test probe to alter an internal pressure of the ear of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure alteration:

Implementation Method 2

The operational command may control the operation of the test probe to output a tone using a speaker associated with the test probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS10368785B2In-ear hearing test probe devices and methods and systems using same

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 REMOTEAR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

A medical hearing testing method includes: inserting an in-ear test probe that is coupled to a hearing test adapter into an ear of a patient at a patient site; receiving device identification data at a web portal operating on a first electronic device over an electronic network between the first electronic device and the hearing test adapter, wherein the device identification data is uniquely identifies the hearing test adapter; receiving a control operation associated with a test session from the first user at the web portal; and responsive to receiving the control operation, transmitting an operational command from the web portal to the hearing test adapter over the electronic network, wherein the operational command controls an operation of the test probe.