Method and apparatus for in-situ testing, fitting and verification of hearing and hearing aids
AssigneeOtotronix, LLC
InventorsZezhang Hou, Leon Aleksander Lindsey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved multi-function hearing aid having in-situ testing, fitting and verification functions is disclosed which solves problems long standing in the art of hearing aid fitting dealing with individual size differences in the size of the pina and ear canal of the user, individual preference to sound level and frequency variation, and verification procedures.
Claims27
A method of fitting a hearing aid to a user based on microphone sensitivity and measured hearing level of the user, both with reference to the electrical output signal of the microphone or its equivalent, the method comprising:
- a) for a sound at a particular frequency and level, passing the electrical output of the microphone through an analog to digital converter, and measuring the output of the analog-to-digital converter to obtain a value for the output in ADC units to obtain the microphone sensitivity S, whereas ADC referring to analog to digital converter;
- b) measuring, for a particular frequency an in situ hearing level T in ADC units for a user, wherein the measuring is performed without the use of earphones, headphones, or loudspeakers:
- and
- c) determining for the user a gain, wherein the gain is calculated using the formula:
- Gain (G)=T/FS, where S is the measured free field sensitivity—of the microphone in ADC units/Pascal, or its equivalent, at the particular frequency, T is the in-situ hearing level and F is the desired free field sound pressure for a person with normal hearing to perceive a sound at the particular frequency.
A method of fitting a hearing aid to a user comprising the steps of:
- a) placing a programmable hearing aid having a microphone into the ear of the user exactly in the manner the user will wear the hearing aid in everyday use,
- b) performing at least a threshold hearing level test,
- c) determining the hearing aid-microphone output during the threshold hearing level test of the aided user with the hearing aid microphone output during a threshold hearing level test with an unaided user to obtain a gain necessary for the aided user to hear sounds like the unaided user, and
- d) programming the hearing aid, all without the use of earphones, headphones, or loudspeakers.
A method of fitting a hearing aid to a user based on, without the use of earphones, headphones, or loudspeakers, microphone sensitivity and measured hearing level for the user, both in ADC units or its equivalent, the method comprising:
- a) for a sound at a particular frequency and level, passing the electrical output of the microphone through an analog to digital converter, and measuring the output of the analog-to-digital converter to obtain a value for output in ADC units to obtain the microphone sensitivity S, whereas ADC referring to analog to digital converter;
- b) obtaining the measured value in ADC units of the hearing aid microphone, or its equivalent, at which the hearing level is found for the user at the frequency, herein referred to as T;
- c) calculating the gain at the frequency to be used by the hearing aid for the user, as G=T/(SF), where F is the free field referenced sound level in Pascal as required at the hearing level for a normal listener.
A method of fitting a hearing aid having an amplification processor to a user, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) placing the hearing aid on the user's ear exactly the way it will be worn by the user;
- b) setting the hearing aid to the in-situ testing/fitting mode with integrated fitting configuration;
- c) for a sound at a particular frequency and level, passing the electrical output of the microphone through an analog to digital converter, and measuring the output of the analog to digital converter to obtain a value for output in ADC units to obtain the microphone sensitivity, whereas ADC referring to analog to digital converter;
- d) supplying the amplification processor with initial values;
- e) normalizing test stimuli in ADC units according to the measured microphone sensitivity and the initial values;
- f) determining an additional gain needed for the user to perceive the normalized stimuli at the threshold or uncomfortable hearing level if desired, wherein determining the additional gain is achieved through measuring the user's threshold hearing level, most comfortable hearing level or uncomfortable hearing level according to a predetermined protocol by adjusting a gain parameter of the amplification processor;
- g) setting the hearing aid to the normal operation mode;
- and:
- h) applying both the additional gain and the initial values to the amplification processor so that the hearing aid will accurately compensate the users hearing loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.