Wireless Audiometer Headset for Remote Hearing Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hearing testing methods are inaccessible to many due to the need for expensive infrastructure and specialized training, particularly affecting rural populations and military personnel, who often lack access to diagnostic quality testing for hearing health assessment.

Innovation Solution

A wireless connected system comprising a headset with audiometer stacks and interface devices that allow for hearing and fit testing outside of sound-proofed booths, using a headset with ear cup attenuating structures and bone conductors, enabling automated testing and feedback without the need for trained administrators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional hearing testing is conducted in sound-proofed booths with specialized equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing test accuracyVSAvoidinfrastructure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential hearing testing functionality from the complex sound-proofed booth infrastructure and relocates it to a portable headset device. The audiometer stack, speakers, and processing capabilities are removed from the fixed facility and embedded in the wearable headset, enabling accurate hearing tests outside of traditional sound-proofed environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical sound-proofing infrastructure with electronic noise cancellation and attenuation technologies. Instead of physical sound barriers, the system uses active noise control, adaptive filters, and digital signal processing to create acoustic isolation, thereby eliminating the need for expensive sound-proofed booths while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated hearing testing is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated headset device. The audiometer stack, speakers, microphones, processing units, and wireless communication modules are combined in one portable unit, enabling automated hearing testing without requiring separate pieces of equipment or complex infrastructure. This integration improves productivity while managing complexity through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hearing testing system is designed to perform self-diagnosis and automated testing without requiring trained administrators. The device includes built-in calibration routines, automatic noise floor measurement, and algorithmic analysis that eliminate the need for specialized operator intervention, thereby improving productivity while keeping the system relatively simple to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If portable hearing testing devices are developed, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidhearing test accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust testing parameters. The system performs automatic calibration during each use, measures ambient noise levels and adjusts thresholds accordingly, and provides real-time validation of test results. This feedback ensures that portable testing maintains the same measurement precision as fixed facilities while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts testing parameters based on environmental conditions and user characteristics. The audiometer stack adapts stimulus levels, frequency ranges, and timing parameters according to ambient noise measurements, headphone fit detection, and real-time audio feedback, thereby maintaining measurement precision across different operating conditions while keeping the device simple to use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If wireless connectivity is added to enable remote operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote accessibilityVSAvoidconnection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headset is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standalone hearing testing device and as a wireless component that can connect to external administrators devices. The same audiometer stack and processing unit handle both local automated testing and wireless communication protocols, eliminating the need for separate wireless infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while improving remote accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240260857A1Systems and methods for wirelessly connected audiometer headsets, interface devices, and administrator devices

Publication Date: 2024.08.08 CREARE INC

AI summary

Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable memory for hearing testing. In some cases, headsets, interface devices, and an administrator device may wirelessly communicate to perform hearing testing of a user. In some cases, the hearing testing may be fit or hearing testing. In some cases, the headset may be configured to perform hearing testing using air conduction or bone conduction.