Smartphone Hearing Sensitivity Detection via Tone Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many individuals suffer from unrecognized hearing sensitivity loss due to gradual degradation over time, often undetected until it becomes severe, as accessible hearing measurement equipment is costly and not widely available, leading to delayed detection and potential prevention of further deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a client device and headset to output tones at various frequency bands, allowing users to adjust signal levels and record hearing sensitivity, enabling early detection and prevention of hearing loss through a user-friendly interface and automated testing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specially designed equipment operated by trained hearing specialists is used to measure hearing sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of professional hearing testing equipment using a smartphone speaker and microphone. The system replicates the core functionality of expensive hearing specialists' equipment by using the smartphone's existing audio components to generate test tones and capture user responses, thereby achieving acceptable measurement precision without complex specialized hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone serves multiple functions: it generates test tones through its speaker, captures audio responses through its microphone, processes the data, and displays results. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated hearing testing equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If specially designed equipment operated by trained hearing specialists is used to measure hearing sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring trained specialists
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform their own hearing sensitivity tests without requiring trained specialists. The automated interface guides users through the testing process, automatically generates tones, captures responses, and interprets results, allowing individuals to self-administer the measurement while maintaining acceptable precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replicates the professional hearing testing experience in a simplified form that can be operated by anyone with a smartphone. The interface copies the essential interaction patterns of clinical testing but adapts them for consumer use, eliminating the need for specialized training while preserving measurement quality
3Ease of operation
If hearing sensitivity testing is made accessible through client devices, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate compared to specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts testing parameters such as tone frequency ranges, signal levels, and presentation durations to optimize measurements for consumer audio equipment. By modifying these parameters to suit the capabilities of smartphone speakers and microphones, the system maintains measurement precision despite using less sophisticated hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent tailors the testing approach to the specific characteristics of consumer devices. Instead of attempting to replicate clinical equipment performance, the system adapts the measurement methodology to work within the constraints and capabilities of smartphone audio components, achieving locally optimized precision for each device type
4Productivity
If automated testing processes are implemented on client devices, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone performs multiple testing functions using its existing components: the speaker generates test tones, the microphone captures audio responses, the processor analyzes the data, and the display presents results. This multi-functional utilization of the device's existing capabilities enables automated testing without adding significant complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the automated workflow of professional hearing testing systems into a software application. By replicating the test administration, data collection, and result interpretation processes in software form on the smartphone, the system achieves high productivity while leveraging the device's existing hardware rather than adding complex new components
Data Source
AI summary
Employing outputted tones on a client device and/or headset is facilitated to identify hearing sensitivity of a user for both ears at various frequency bands and provide an indication of the users hearing sensitivity as compared to a normal hearing curve of a plurality of users on the same client device and/or headset or differing client devices and/or headsets.