Portable auditory testing system and method for enhancing the capability of a portable auditory testing device

In an auditory testing environment, wherein a portable auditory testing device is operable to test the hearing of a subject, a method for retrofitting the portable auditory testing device, the method comprising:

• providing the portable auditory testing device within a first carrying member;
• providing a mobile handheld device within a second carrying member;
• physically coupling the first carrying member and the second carrying member together;
• communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device to the mobile handheld device via a first communication link so that the mobile handheld device is operable to control the portable auditory testing device for a hearing test;
• communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device to a network element via a second communication link;
• providing a user-input device within the mobile handheld device;
• providing a graphical user interface within the mobile handheld device to view information associated with at least one subject;
• and
• providing a database within the mobile handheld device to store information associated with at least one subject.

A portable auditory testing system comprising:

• a carrying member;
• a portable auditory testing device disposed in the carrying member, the portable auditory testing device being operable to test the hearing of a subject;
• and
• a mobile handheld device physically coupled to the carrying member via a fastener, the mobile handheld device being in communication with the portable auditory testing device via a communication link, and the mobile handheld device comprising:
• a graphical user interface;
• a database adapted to store information associated with at least one subject;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the graphical user interface and the user input interface, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,
• the controller being programmed to operate the portable auditory testing device via the communication link.

A system for testing the hearing of a patient, the system comprising:

• a first carrying member having a front portion;
• a second carrying member having a rear portion, the second carrying member being physically coupled to the first carrying member via a plurality of Velcro-like material strips, at least one of the plurality of Velcro-like material strips is disposed on each of the front portion of the first carrying member and the rear portion of the second carrying member;
• a portable auditory testing device disposed within the first carrying member, the portable auditory testing device being operable to test the hearing of a patient;
• and
• a mobile handheld device disposed within the second carrying member, the mobile handheld device being in communication with the portable auditory testing device via a cable, and the mobile handheld device comprising:
• a liquid crystal display;
• a user input device;
• a database adapted to store hearing test data associated with at least one patient;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the liquid crystal display, the user input device, and the database, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,
• the controller being programmed to operate the portable auditory testing device via the cable between the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device.