Power-optimized cumulative, sequential statistical method for detection of auditory evoked potentials
AssigneeHouse Ear Institute
InventorsYvonne S. Sininger, Martyn Hyde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for determining the statistical probability that an auditory brainstem response (ABR) to an acoustic stimulus is present in a human test subject. The method employs an algorithm that provides a continuously evolving estimate of the probability of ABR presence as acquired data accumulates. The algorithm utilizes a Hotelling T2 test.
Claims4
A method for gathering and analyzing ABR signal data generated in response to auditory stimuli to determine hearing capacity of an individual comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating a plurality of auditory stimuli;
- (b) presenting said auditory stimuli to a test subject's ear;
- (c) collecting electrophysiologic signal data from the test subject within a time window following said each of a specified number of auditory stimuli;
- (d) computing a cumulative test subject average waveform from said collected electrophysiologic signal data;
- (e) computing a Hotelling T2 statistic for said cumulative test subject average waveform;
- (f) computing a probability value associated with said computed Hotelling T2 statistic;
- (g) repeating steps (a) through (f) adding to the cumulative test subject average waveform if said computed probability value exceeds a predetermined threshold and declaring that the test subject responded to the auditory stimulus if the computed probability value is below said predetermined threshold;
- and
- (h) terminating steps (a) through (f) and declaring that no response is present if a predetermined number of stimuli have been presented without the computed probability value falling below the predetermined threshold.
A system for gathering and analyzing ABR signal data generated in response to auditory stimuli to determine hearing capacity of an individual comprising:
- (a) means for generating a plurality of auditory stimuli;
- (b) means for presenting said auditory stimuli to a test subject's ear;
- (c) means for collecting electrophysiologic signal data from the test subject within a time window following each of a specified number of said auditory stimuli;
- (d) means for computing a cumulative test subject ABR waveform from collected electrophysiologic signal data;
- (e) means for computing a Hotelling T2 statistic for accumulative test subject average waveform;
- (f) means for computing probability value associated with a computed Hotelling T2 statistic;
- (g) means for iteratively operating (a) through (f) adding to the cumulative test subject average waveform if said computed probability value exceeds a predetermined threshold and declaring that the test subject responded to the auditory stimulus if the computed probability value is below said predetermined threshold;
- and
- (h) means for terminating operation of (a) through (f) and declaring that no response is present if a predetermined number of stimuli have been presented without the computed probability value falling below the predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.