WO1998041973A1 - Feedback capable earphones and a computerized audiometer which contains them - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes the performance of hearing tests simple and inexpensive without the need for soundproof rooms or the voice of a skilled technician. It comprises Feedback Capable Earphones (2) comprised of earphones (1) placed next to the ear and a microphone (3) installed for feedback next to one of the earphones and a Computerized Audiometer comprised of said feedback capable earphones (2), a personal computer (5) with a test program which performs a series of tests and analyzes the results and which can calibrate the volume of the sound heard in the earphones and cancel the influence of external noises, a voice card (4) installed within the computer (5) through which the program of the test plays a series of tones and instructions for the examined person, and a steering stick (6) which helps the examined person to react to the tones and the instructions, using button (7).

Description

FEEDBACK CAPABLE EARPHONES AND A COMPUTERIZED AUDIOMETER WHICH CONTAINS THEM

The present invention relates to the field of systems for the performance of hearing tests for humans, audiometers, and accessories used in these systems.

An audiometer is a system for the performance of hearing tests, by way of hearing, either in the left ear, the right ear, tones of various frequencies and volumes, among these directing by tone of speech at differing volume levels. The hearing is done by earphones which rest on the ears of the examined person. The results of the test are determined according to the response or lack of response of the examined person to the tones and/or to the directions given.

When the guide of the test sets the audiometer so that the examined person will hear a tone at a specific frequency and volume, the guide must be certain that what is heard in the earphone - which is located at the closest point to the ear of the examined person - is in fact identical with what the guide intended to be heard. The reliability of the test can be harmed by several factors. Two of the more important of these are: a) lack of accurate correspondence between the tone heard and between what the guide of the test intended to be heard; b) disturbing external noise which reach the earphone not by means of the device. In order to overcome these disturbances, the test is performed by expert technicians in rooms sealed off from external noises. These factors add make the test more expensive and can hamper performance.

The present invention overcomes these two factors and makes it possible to perform the test with relative ease in any reasonable place.

The present invention is Feedback Capable Eaφhones comprised of a pair of hearing eaφhones and a microphone next to one of the eaφhones for feedback and calibration, and a Computerized Audiometer comprised of "Feedback Capable Eaφhones", a personal computer with testing software, a voice card installed within the computer and a steering stick which assists the examined person to react to the tones and commands.

The present invention is described in Figures 1 and 2. These figures are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention and are for purposes of description alone.

Figure 1 describes the Feedback Capable Eaφhones Figure 2 describes the computerized audiometer. Figure 1 describes the Feedback Capable Earphones, comprised of a pair of hearing eaφhones (1) which are installed within a hanger (2) which is intended to place the eaφhones next to the ears of the Hstener and the microphone (3) which is installed next to one of the eaφhones for feedback.

The Feedback Capable Eaφhones, according to the present invention, are used - additionally - for testing with an audiometer. At the time of the examination, with an audiometer, it is possible that completely undesirable external noise will reach the ears of the examined person. By means of a microphone (3), the present invention makes it possible to transfer to the audiometer exactly what the examined person heard and when the audiometer identifies that the tone heard was interfered with by completely undesirable external noise, it is able to cancel the unwanted effect by repeating the disturbed test or by indicating through analysis of the examination exactly what the examined person heard.

Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to perform caHbration of what is heard in the eaφhones. Tones arrive in an electronic manner from the audiometer to the eaφhones become a hearing tone. Due to limitations of the system, it is possible that the voice tone produced by the eaφhone is different from that which the system intended to be heard. The microphone(3) next to the eaφhone absorbs the tone produced by way of the eaφhone (1) and turns it into an electronic wave which is returned to the system as feedback for comparison between the tone heard and that which the system intended to be heard, in this manner the system is able to calibrate itself. The Feedback Capable Eaφhones, according to the present invention, provide the hearing unit together with feedback which makes possible to filter and/or to take into consideration the completely undesirable external noise and to perform calibration of the system.

Figure 2 describes the Computerized Audiometer comprised of Feedback Capable Eaφhones - comprised of a pair of hearing eaφhones (1) connected to a hanger (2) which places the eaφhones next to the ears of the examined person and a microphone which enables feedback (3) installed next to the eaφhone - the eaφhones are balanced and return feedback by means of the voice card (4) which produces tones at a frequency and volume according to the instructions of the computer (5) and brings to the program the feedback which arrives from the eaφhones for the puφose of comparison, the examined person reacts to the hearing tones and/or the commands by means of a steering stick (6) and button (7) which is found at the head of the steering stick, the examined person can move the steering stick forward, backwards or to the sideways according to the instructions heard and can press on the button at the head of the steering stick to confirm hearing of the tone. At the end of the exam the program performs a test software, which installed in the computer, that analyzes the results of the examination and an analysis of the test is presented on the screen of the computer. The computerized audiometer, according to the invention, can perform the test automatically or by operation of the operator and play for the examined person a series of tones at differing frequencies and volumes where the examined person is required to press on the button at the end of the steering stick to confirm hearing of the tone. Failure to press within the time rationed indicates not hearing. Likewise, the computerized audiometer, according to the invention, plays instructions to move the steering stick - by speech tone at differing volumes - in different directions, requiring the examined person to react and to perform the instructions played. Lack of response in the time rationed indicates lack of hearing the instruction. The examination is performed on each ear separately.

The advantage of the present invention is that it answers the two central problems of existing systems for hearing tests. The computerized audiometer comprised in the present invention calibrates itself by means of the eaφhone with the microphone installed within it and the tone played for the examined person is exactly what the audiometer or the operated requested to be heard. Likewise, the computerized audiometer in the present invention can identify external noises that reach the eaφhone and are absorbed by the microphone within it. In this instance the audiometer neutralizes the influence of the external noise through repeat performance of the disturbed test and through consideration of the components of noise in the analysis of the results of the examination.

The advantages of the system comprised by the present invention make the performance of hearing tests simple and inexpensive without need for soundproof rooms or the skillful voice of a technician.

Claims

1. Feedback Capable Eaφhones comprised of eaφhones for hearing placed next to the ear and a microphone installed for feedback next to one of the eaφhones.

2. A Computerized Audiometer comprised of feedback capable eaφhones as claimed in claim number one, a personal computer with a test program which performs a series of tests and analyzes the results, a voice card installed within the computer through which the program of the test plays a series of tones and instructions for the examined person, and a steering stick which helps the examined person to react to the tones and the instructions.

3. A Computerized Audiometer as claimed in Claim Number 2 wherein the program of the test calibrates the volume of the sound heard in the eaφhone and cancels the influence of external noises.