Method and apparatus for automatic non-cooperative frequency specific assessment of hearing impairment and fitting of hearing aids
AssigneeNatus Medical Incorporated
InventorsPeter Zoth, Thomas Janssen
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Abstract
A method and device for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated DPOAE I/O functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested using a device having a display screen attached to a handheld device generating and collecting otoacoustic emission signals and brain stem response signals into a programmed with a clinical audiogram with fitting parameters for hearing aids calculated on the basis of assessed hearing threshold and compression and identifying the type of hearing required for the individual.
Claims100
A method for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and loss of compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated OAE I/O-functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested comprising:
- generating one or more stimuli with acoustic transmitters in each ear canal of a patient,
- collecting any transient evoked and/or distortion product otoacoustic emission signals generated by the cochlea in response to the stimulus with microphone means placed in the ear canal, and/or collecting any click or frequency stimulated brainstem response signals by placing electrodes on the scalp,
- analyzing the response signals distortion product otoacoustic emission input/output functions (DPOAE I/O-functions), which mirror the sensitivity and non-linear compression of cochlear outer hair cells, as well as the auditory brainstem responses, especially, high rate click evoked ABRs and amplitude modulated following responses (AMFRs) representing neural sound processing in afferent nerve fibers,
- displaying the signal responses of the patient and
- fitting a hearing aid to supply frequency specific and input level dependent amplification to provide for a patient's needs.
8 A method for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and loss of compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated OAE I/O-functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested according to claim 1, including employing tympanometry, which measures compliance as a function of static pressure, performs pattern recognition, and classifies middle ear status as “Middle Ear” affected/nonaffected.
A method for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and loss of compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated OAE I/O-functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested comprising:
- generating one or more acoustic stimuli in the subject's ear canal by means of a sound probe and an acoustic stimuli generator such as one or more loudspeakers,
- recording any transient (TEOAEs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) generated by the cochlea in the subject's ear canal in response to the acoustic stimuli by collector means such as at least one microphone,
- inputting the collector mean's output-signal into a signal processor,
- calibrating the acoustic stimuli in the ear canal by checking the sound probe's seal and estimating sound pressure proximate the eardrum by generating a defined stimulus level signal in front of the eardrum,
- analysing amplitude, phase, and frequency of cochlear responses, evaluating the responses and signals by binominal statistics or signal-to-noise estimates to determine whether the measured signals contain stimulus correlated components on a defined level of significance,
- estimating the cochlear responses at threshold as well as at stimulus levels higher than applied by extrapolating cochlear responses (OAE I/O-functions) that are generated within the dynamic range of the acoustic stimulation,
- converting the estimated stimulus levels at threshold (dB SPL) into hearing loss levels (dB HL) and reconstructing a clinical audiogram for display, and
- estimating cochlear compression from extrapolated OAE I/O-functions for providing the gain of hearing aid needed to provide subject's normal hearing.
41 A method for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and loss of compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated OAE I/O-functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested according to claim 11, including in addition to the conducting and recording of OAE and ABR I/O-functions TEOAE, DPOAE, and ABR hearing screenings, displaying respective “pass/refer” responses.
An apparatus for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and loss of compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated OAE I/O-functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested comprising:
- means for generating one or more stimuli with acoustic transmitters in each ear canal of a patient,
- means for collecting any transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions generated by the cochlea in response to the stimulus with microphone means placed in the ear canal for generating a frequency mixed product electric signal, and brain stem responses via scalp attached electrodes,
- means for analyzing the response signal distortion product otoacoustic emission input/output functions (DPOAE I/O-functions), which mirror the sensitivity and non-linear compression of cochlear outer hair cells, as well as to auditory brainstem responses, especially, high rate click evoked ABRs and amplitude modulated following responses (AMFRs),
- means for representing neural sound processing in afferent nerve fibers using binomial statistics, different artifact categories by a digital signal processor associated with the signal collecting means,
- means for displaying the signal responses of the patient,
- means for fitting a hearing aid to supply frequency specific and input level dependent amplification to provide for a patient's needs, and
- means for displaying the results.
An apparatus for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and loss of compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated OAE I/O-functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested comprising:
- means for generating one or more acoustic stimuli in the subject's ear canal by means of a sound probe and an acoustic stimuli generator such as one or more loudspeakers,
- means for recording any transient (TEOAEs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) generated by the cochlea in the subject's ear canal in response to the acoustic stimuli by collector means such as at least one microphone,
- means for inputting the collector mean's output-signal into a signal processor,
- means for calibrating the acoustic stimuli in the ear canal by checking the sound probe's seal and estimating sound pressure proximate the eardrum by generating a defined stimulus level signal in front of the eardrum,
- means for analysing amplitude, phase, and frequency of cochlear responses,
- means for evaluating the responses and signals by binominal statistics or signal-to-noise estimates to determine whether the measured signals contain stimulus correlated components on a defined level of significance,
- means for estimating the cochlear responses at threshold as well as at stimulus levels higher than applied by extrapolating cochlear responses (OAE I/O-functions) that are generated within the dynamic range of the acoustic stimulation,
- means for converting the estimated stimulus levels at threshold (dB SPL) into hearing loss levels (dB HL) and reconstructing a clinical audiogram, and
- means for estimating cochlear compression from extrapolated OAE I/O-functions for providing the gain of hearing aid needed to provide subject's normal hearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.