Sound Recognition Score Estimation Device for Hearing Acuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audiometric methods fail to accurately assess hearing acuity under real-world conditions, particularly in the presence of background noise, which is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of augmented listening devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that select audio signals based on parameters like language, pitch, and dialect, modulate them with ambient noise, and transmit them to an Augmented Listening Device (ALD) to estimate the Sound Recognition Score (SRS), simulating real-world hearing conditions and assessing the device's performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional audiometric methods are used to determine hearing acuity, then the test procedure is simple and standardized, but the results do not reflect actual hearing performance under real-world conditions with background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of noise generation devices and signal processing equipment that mediates between the standard audiometric test and the subject's hearing. This intermediary adds background noise controlled by a processor to create realistic listening conditions without completely overhauling the audiometric test system, thus improving measurement accuracy while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the acoustic parameters of the testing environment by introducing controllable background noise at specific signal-to-noise ratios. This parameter change transforms the static, noise-free audiometric environment into a dynamic, noise-containing environment that better reflects real-world conditions, thereby improving the ecological validity of hearing acuity measurements.
2Reliability
If background noise is introduced to simulate real-world conditions, then the ecological validity of hearing assessment improves, but the test standardization and reproducibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic noise generation where the background noise characteristics can be adjusted and controlled by a processor during the test. This allows the system to adapt noise levels and types to match specific real-world scenarios while maintaining control over the test parameters, thus achieving both ecological validity and reproducibility through controlled variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor monitors and adjusts the background noise based on subject responses and test progress. This feedback loop ensures that the noise conditions remain consistent with the intended real-world simulation while allowing for individualized adjustments, thereby maintaining both reliability and reproducibility.
3Ease of operation
If oral presentation of stimuli by a clinician is used, then the test is easy to administer, but it fails to account for important factors determining actual hearing acuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/oral presentation system with an electronic signal generation and delivery system. Instead of a clinician orally presenting words, the system uses electronically generated and delivered audio stimuli through headphones or speakers, allowing for precise control of acoustic parameters including background noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and stimulus timing, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining ease of administration through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an estimation device for the estimation of Sound Recognition Score. The device estimates a Sound Recognition Score (SRS), to determine the hearing ability of that subject. The device also ascertains the performance of an Augmented Listening Device (ALD). The device comprises a memory unit, in which one or more audio signals and ambient noise signals are stored. The estimation device selects audio signal from the memory unit based on one or more parameters. Further, the device modulates the audio signals with the ambient noise signals and transmits the modulated audio signal to the ALD. Also, the device receives response for the transmitted signals from the ALD and estimates the responses based on the aggregate of values of the read flag data and response flag data. The estimated signal is displayed using a display unit as Sound Recognition Score.