U.S. patent application number 14/846003 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-10 for hearing test system for non-expert user with built-in calibration and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is iHear Medical, Inc.. Invention is credited to Adnan Shennib, Victor Valenzuela.
Application Number | 20160066822 14/846003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55436367 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160066822 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shennib; Adnan ; et
al. |
March 10, 2016 |
HEARING TEST SYSTEM FOR NON-EXPERT USER WITH BUILT-IN CALIBRATION
AND METHOD
Abstract
Disclosed herein are examples of methods and systems for
performing a calibration check of a personal hearing test system
using a built-in calibration cavity, particularly for use by a
non-expert user outside the clinical environment. The hearing test
system includes a one or more earpieces. The hearing test system
further includes a portable test unit having an acoustic
calibration cavity for accommodating the earpiece at least
partially therein. The acoustic calibration cavity may include an
opening along an exterior surface of the portable test unit. The
acoustic calibration cavity receives an acoustic calibration
stimuli and the microphone provided within the acoustic calibration
cavity produces a calibration signal input for measuring and
performing a calibration check, or an automatic
self-calibration.
Inventors: |
Shennib; Adnan; (Oakland,
CA) ; Valenzuela; Victor; (Hayward, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
iHear Medical, Inc. |
San Leandro |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55436367 |
Appl. No.: |
14/846003 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62047607 |
Sep 8, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2560/0223 20130101;
A61B 5/123 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/12 20060101
A61B005/12 |
Claims
1. A hearing test system comprising: a headphone comprising an
earpiece; a portable test unit comprising: an acoustic calibration
cavity comprising a first opening along an exterior surface of the
portable test unit for receiving the earpiece, and a second
opening; a microphone acoustically coupled to the acoustic
calibration cavity at the second opening, the microphone configured
to receive acoustic calibration stimuli from the earpiece and
produce a calibration signal input in response to the acoustic
calibration stimuli; and audio processing electronics configured to
receive the calibration signal input from the microphone; and a
processor communicatively coupled to the audio processing
electronics and configured to determine a calibration level
responsive to receipt of the calibration signal input.
2. The hearing test system of claim 1, wherein the processor is
further configured to validate the calibration of the hearing test
system by comparing the measured calibration level with a
calibration reference level.
3. The hearing test system of claim 1, wherein the processor is
further configured to receive calibration data from any of a remote
server, a client computer, and a memory of the portable test
unit.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
adjust calibration data based on the measured calibration level,
and wherein the acoustic calibration stimuli is produced using the
calibration data.
5. The hearing test system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic
calibration cavity is configured to provide a controlled acoustic
transfer function for the earpiece.
6. The hearing test system of claim 1, wherein the portable unit
comprises a sealing ring proximate to the first opening of the
acoustic calibration cavity, the second opening of the acoustic
calibration cavity, or both.
7. The hearing test system of claim 1, wherein the earpiece is
configured for partial insertion into an ear canal during
administration of a hearing test.
8. The hearing test system of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of ear tips of different sizes, each configured to couple
with the earpiece.
9. The hearing test system of claim 1 further comprising a
programming interface configured for programming a programmable
hearing device.
10. A hearing evaluation system comprising: an earpiece comprising
a speaker configured to produce acoustic calibration stimuli; a
portable test unit comprising: an acoustic calibration cavity
comprising an opening along an exterior surface of the portable
test unit, wherein the opening is configured to accommodate the
earpiece at least partially within; a microphone acoustically
coupled to the acoustic calibration cavity, wherein the portable
electronic unit is configured to produce a calibration signal and
deliver the calibration signal to the earpiece for producing the
acoustic calibration stimuli when the earpiece is placed at least
partially within the acoustic calibration cavity; and a computing
device configured to couple with the portable test unit, the
computing device configured to perform a calibration measurement of
the acoustic calibration stimuli when the earpiece is placed at
least partially within the acoustic calibration cavity.
11. The hearing test system of claim 10, wherein the portable test
unit and the computing device are coupled using a USB
connection.
12. The hearing test system of claim 10, wherein the portable test
unit and the computing device are communicatively coupled using a
wireless interface.
13. The hearing test system of claim 10, wherein the wireless
interface is Bluetooth.
14. The hearing test system of claim 10, wherein the microphone is
configured to receive the acoustic calibration stimuli produced by
the earpiece.
15. A portable test unit comprising: an acoustic calibration cavity
comprising an opening along an exterior surface of the portable
test unit, wherein the acoustic calibration cavity is configured to
accommodate an earpiece at least partially within; a microphone
acoustically coupled to the acoustic calibration cavity, the
microphone configured to receive an acoustic calibration stimuli
from the earpiece when the earpiece is coupled thereto and produce
a calibration signal input responsive to the acoustic calibration
stimuli; and audio processing electronics configured to transmit an
acoustic calibration signal to the earpiece when the earpiece is
coupled thereto and receive the calibration signal input from the
microphone, wherein the audio processing electronics are configured
to communicatively couple to a processor to validate a calibration
of the portable test unit by determining a measured calibration
level responsive to the calibration signal input and comparing the
measured calibration level with a reference calibration level.
16. The portable test unit of claim 15, wherein the processor is
provided within the portable test unit.
17. The portable test unit of claim 15, wherein the processor is
external to the portable test unit.
18. A method of calibration check of a hearing test system
comprising: providing an acoustic calibration stimuli to an
acoustic calibration cavity provided along an exterior surface of a
portable test unit, wherein the acoustic calibration stimuli is
produced by an earpiece of a headphone inserted, at least
partially, into the acoustic calibration cavity; producing, using a
microphone acoustically coupled to the acoustic calibration cavity,
a calibration signal input representative of acoustic pressure in
the acoustic calibration cavity responsive to the acoustic
calibration stimuli; transmitting the calibration signal input to
an audio processing electronics of the portable test unit;
determining a measured calibration level based on the calibration
signal input; and indicating if the calibration level is within or
outside a calibration range.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising accessing a computing
device to retrieve a calibration data.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising adjusting a
calibration data stored in memory based on the measured calibration
level.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising comparing the
calibration level to the calibration range to determine whether the
measured calibration level is within the calibration range.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the acoustic calibration
stimuli is produced by the earpiece using a calibration data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of
the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/047,607 entitled "HEARING TEST SYSTEM FOR NON-EXPERT USER WITH
BUILT-IN CALIBRATION AND METHOD," filed Sep. 8, 2014. The
aforementioned provisional application is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety, for any purpose.
[0002] This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 8,467,556,
titled, "CANAL HEARING DEVICE WITH DISPOSABLE BATTERY MODULE," and
U.S. Pending patent application Ser. No. 14/011,620, titled,
"HEARING PROFILE TEST SYSTEM AND METHOD," filed on Aug. 27, 2013;
Ser. No. 14/011,604, titled, "HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEMS AND
METHODS USING SOUND SEGMENTS REPRESENTING RELEVANT SOUNDSCAPE,"
filed on Aug. 27, 2013; Ser. No. 14/011,581, titled, "INTERACTIVE
HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM AND METHODS," filed on Aug. 27, 2013;
Ser. No. 14/011,607, titled "ONLINE HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM AND
METHODS FOR NON-EXPERT USER," filed on Aug. 27, 2013; 62/092,545,
titled "METHOD FOR RAPIDLY DETERMINING WHO GRADING OF HEARING
IMPAIRMENT," filed on Dec. 16, 2014; and 62/100,876, titled
"HEARING DEVICE TEST SYSTEM FOR NON-EXPERT USER AT HOME AND
NON-CLINICAL SETTINGS," filed on Jan. 7, 2015; all of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for any
purpose.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] Examples described herein relate to hearing testing, and
more particularly methods and systems for performing a calibration
check of a hearing test system using a built-in calibration system
of the hearing test system.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Pure tone audiometry may be considered as the gold standard
for hearing assessment. It relies on identifying the threshold of
hearing for an individual, generally using tonal sounds generated
by instrumentation designed for clinical use by a hearing
professional. The instrumentation and accessories for standard
hearing tests in accordance with audiometry standards, such as ANSI
S3.6, are generally specialized electro-medical devices for use in
clinical settings. For example, to obtain a valid threshold of
hearing and generate an audiogram report, tests are generally
performed in specialized sound-isolated rooms, often referred to as
a "sound room," to reduce noise levels present in the environment
generally to that below the threshold of normal hearing. The
combined cost of a sound room and clinical instrumentation for
standard audiogram testing can easily exceed $20,000. These
systems, with methods and processes associated thereto, are
generally not suitable for self-administration by a hearing test
consumer in home settings.
[0005] To circumvent some of the limitations of conventional
hearing evaluation methods, automated, computer-based hearing
evaluation methods have been proposed, including self-administered
online tests using personal computers. These tests are often
inadequate due to their inaccuracy, often caused by audio
characteristics of consumer electronics not meeting the standards
of audiometric testing. For example, consumer electronics, such as
a sound card, may introduce unacceptable total harmonic distortion
(THD), unpredictable frequency response, excessive signal noise,
and/or excessive cross-over distortion. The sources of adverse
audio characteristics can be attributed to the sound card, the
speaker, consumer headphones, cabling, connectors, etc. In addition
to the aforementioned obstacles related to audio characteristics,
the calibration of acoustic signals emanating from a transducer (a
consumer earphone, for example) represents a daunting challenge,
preventing accurate hearing evaluation by a lay consumer using a
personal computer, or a personal electronic device. Further, the
transducer may not be easily recalibrated.
[0006] In order to use the internal speakers of a computing device
or headphones, individual calibration for each transducer is
generally required. The calibration data used to compensate for
transducer variability may be stored in memory. The calibration
data may also take into consideration the variability of the
electronics of the hearing test system.
[0007] Over time, components of the hearing test system may be
damaged or may drift, resulting in inaccurate sound level
presentation during a hearing test. One method of checking the
sound level produced by the hearing tester is to check the voltage
levels of signals being delivered to the test transducer. However,
this calibration check may not take into account the degradation or
damage to the acoustics of the transducer element. Periodic
calibration is generally required to ensure the hearing test
acoustic output remains within the calibration range.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure relates to hearing test systems with
built in self-calibration and calibration check capabilities and
methods for calibration of hearing test systems. A hearing test
system according to the present disclosure may include a headphone
including one or more earpieces. One or more of the earpieces may
produce an acoustic hearing test stimuli, e.g., for use during
administration of a hearing test, and/or an acoustic calibration
stimuli, e.g. for use during calibration or calibration check of
the hearing test system. The acoustic calibration stimuli may be
produced using production calibration data.
[0009] The hearing test system may include a portable test unit
including an acoustic calibration cavity, a microphone, and audio
processing electronics. The acoustic calibration cavity may include
a first opening along an exterior surface of the portable test unit
for receiving the earpiece, and a second opening. The microphone
may be acoustically coupled to the acoustic calibration cavity at
the second opening. The microphone may receive acoustic calibration
stimuli from the earpiece and produce a calibration signal input in
response to the acoustic calibration stimuli. The audio processing
electronics may receive the calibration signal input from the
microphone. The audio processing electronics may produce and
deliver a calibration signal to the earpiece for producing the
acoustic calibration stimuli when the earpiece is placed at least
partially within the acoustic calibration cavity.
[0010] The hearing test system may include a processor
communicatively coupled to the audio processing electronics and
configured to determine a calibration level responsive to receipt
of the calibration signal input. The processor may validate the
calibration of the hearing test system by comparing the measured
calibration level with a reference level. The reference level may
be stored in memory of any of a remote server, a client computer,
and the portable test unit. In some examples, the processor may
adjust production calibration data based on the measured
calibration level.
[0011] In some examples, the hearing test system may include a
computing device coupled to the portable test unit. The computing
device may execute a hearing test software application stored
locally or remotely. The computing device may perform a calibration
check or self-calibration of the hearing test system when the
earpiece is provided at least partially within the acoustic
calibration cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further objectives, features, aspects
and attendant advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of certain
preferred and alternate embodiments and method of manufacture and
use thereof, including the best mode presently contemplated of
practicing the invention, when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a hearing test system
including a portable test unit communicatively coupled to a
computing device (e.g., a personal computer), according to some
examples.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a view of a portable test unit including an
acoustic calibration cavity provided along an exterior surface
adapted to accommodate at least a portion of an earpiece, according
to some examples.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view of a portable test unit with an earpiece
inserted in the acoustic calibration cavity, according to some
examples.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portable test unit and an
earpiece showing an acoustic calibration cavity, according to some
examples.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portable test unit with an
earpiece partially inserted into the acoustic calibration cavity,
according to some examples.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top view of a portable test unit with an
earpiece coupled thereto, according to some examples.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow chart representation for a self-calibration
of a hearing test system, according to some examples.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a flow chart representation for a calibration
check of a hearing test system, according to some examples.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a hearing test system
including a portable test unit comprising a calibration cavity
along an exterior surface of the portable test unit, according to
some examples.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Certain details are set forth below to provide a sufficient
understanding of embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments,
however, may not include all details described. In some instances,
well-known structures may not be shown in order to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments of the
invention.
[0023] The present disclosure describes hearing test systems and
methods for calibrating or checking a calibration of a hearing test
system or components thereof. A hearing test system according to
the present disclosure includes a portable test unit with a
built-in calibration cavity. The hearing test system may be
particularly suitable for personal use, for example for use by a
non-expert user outside the clinical environment. A hearing test
system according to examples disclosed herein may mitigate the need
for a calibration check or calibration by a hearing professional, a
calibration service technician, or other third party. Hearing test
systems as described herein may empower consumers to
self-administer a hearing test and/or a calibration check of a
hearing test system at home, or generally at non-clinical settings
such as an office, a nursing home, a community center, a drug
store, a pharmacy, etc. In some examples, a calibration of a
hearing test system may be checked automatically without resorting
to sending some or all components of the hearing test system (e.g.,
a portable test unit) to the manufacturer or a service center. In
some examples, calibration data associated with a hearing test
system may be automatically adjusted to recalibrate the hearing
test system after a calibration check.
[0024] FIGS. 1-6 and 9 are views of a hearing test system according
to some examples of the present disclosure. With reference now to
FIGS. 1-6 and 9, the hearing test system 100 includes a portable
test unit 10 and an earpiece 30. The earpiece 30 may be one of a
pair of earpieces of a headphone 36. Headphone 36 typically
includes two earpieces 30 for testing right and left ears of an
individual. Each earpiece 30 may couple with an ear tip 32 for
secure fit in an ear of a user 1 and for attenuating noise in the
non-test ear. The ear tips 32 may be provided in an assortment of
sizes for fitting in various ear canal sizes. The ear tips 32 may
be made from a compliant material, such as silicone or neoprene,
for providing a comfortable fit in an ear of a user 1. In some
examples, the portable test unit 10 may be handheld or wearable.
The portable test unit 10 may include a wired or wireless
programming interface 50 for programming a programmable hearing
device 60. The portable test unit 10 includes an acoustic
calibration cavity 12 for accommodating the earpiece 30 at least
partially therein. The acoustic calibration cavity 12 of portable
test unit 10 may be used to perform a calibration check or a
self-calibration of the hearing test system 100, as will be
described in further detail below.
[0025] The hearing test system 100, for example as shown in FIG. 9,
may be used to administer a hearing test. During a hearing test,
the earpiece 30 may receive an audio signal representative of an
acoustic test stimuli or audible instructions for a hearing test.
Earpiece 30 may produce the acoustic test stimuli or audible
instructions for the hearing test, for example by audio streaming
from a computing device 40. For example, during a hearing test, the
headphone 36 may be communicatively coupled to a computing device
40 and may receive the audio signal from the computing device 40.
The earpiece 30 may produce an acoustic test stimuli in response to
the audio signal received from the computing device 40. In some
examples, the headphone 36 may be communicatively coupled to the
portable test unit 10 via an audio interface, for example an audio
jack 25, as described herein. The portable test unit 10 may send
the test audio signal to the headphone 36 and the earpiece 30 may
produce an acoustic test stimuli in response to the test audio
signal received from the portable test unit 10. A level of the
audio signal generated may be set by the portable test unit 10
based on calibration data stored in memory (e.g., memory 17 of the
portable test unit 10) or based on calibration data stored
elsewhere (e.g., memory of a computing device communicatively
coupled to portable test unit 10, or memory of a remote server).
The acoustic test stimuli may be generated using a speaker 34 of
the earpiece 30.
[0026] A hearing test system according to the present disclosure
(e.g. hearing test system 100) may be configured to provide hearing
evaluation at a suprathreshold range of hearing with respect to
normal hearing ability. In some examples, hearing test system 100
may be operable to administer a hearing evaluation which includes
acoustic test stimuli at loudness levels above 20 dB HL and step
levels of at least 10 dB. In some examples, the headphone 36 may
transmit a sequence of calibrated acoustic test stimuli at
suprathreshold loudness levels at frequency bands within an
audiometric frequency range. Audibility of a user at each test
frequency band may be registered by the hearing test system. In
some examples, the hearing test system may present a computed
hearing profile score to the user 1 based on the user's minimum
audibility level at each test frequency.
[0027] A hearing test system (e.g., hearing test system 100) may be
calibrated according to the examples herein. During a calibration
check or during a self-calibration, earpiece 30 may receive a
calibration signal to cause earpiece 30 to generate an acoustic
calibration stimuli for conducting a calibration check or
self-calibration. The earpiece 30 may produce an acoustic
calibration stimuli by audio streaming from the computing device
40. For example, during a calibration check or during a
self-calibration, the headphone 36 may be communicatively coupled
to a computing device 40 and may receive the calibration signal
from the computing device 40. The earpiece 30 may produce an
acoustic calibration stimuli in response to the calibration signal
received from the computing device 40. In some examples, the
headphone 36 may be communicatively coupled to the portable test
unit 10, e.g., via an audio interface, such as an audio jack 25 or
Bluetooth as described herein. The portable test unit 10 may send
the calibration signal to the headphone 36, and the earpiece 30 may
produce an acoustic calibration stimuli in response to the
calibration signal received from the portable test unit 10. The
calibration signal may be generated by the portable test unit 10
based on calibration data (e.g., production calibration data 29)
stored in memory. The earpiece 30 may be coupled to any of the
computing device 40 and the portable test unit 10 for receiving the
calibration signal via a wired or wireless connection. The acoustic
calibration stimuli may be generated using the speaker 34 within
the earpiece 30. The production calibration data 29 may be adjusted
according to reference calibration data 46 stored in memory, as
shown in FIGS. 7-8, such that the acoustic calibration stimuli
produced by the earpiece is ensured to be within a reference
calibration level range. The memory may be associated with the
hearing test system 100, for example memory 17 of the portable test
unit 10, memory 44 of the computing device 40, or memory of a
remote database on.
[0028] In some examples, the portable test unit 10 may be
communicatively coupled to the computing device 40. The computing
device 40 may be a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet.
The portable test unit 10 may be communicatively coupled to the
computing device 40 using a wired connection or a wireless
connection. In some examples, the computing device 40 may be
coupled to the portable test unit 10 using a wired interface, such
as USB. In some examples, the computing device 40 may be coupled to
the portable test unit 10 using a wireless connection, such as
Bluetooth. A processor (CPU) 41 of the computing device 40 may
execute a software application 47 stored in memory 44 of the
computing device 40. The software application 47 may be
browser-based or a standalone application. The software application
47 may include instructions 45 for performing a calibration check
or a self-calibration using the portable test unit 10 comprising an
acoustic calibration cavity 12 as described herein. A calibration
check may verify that the hearing test system 100 is within a
reference calibration range with a pass/fail result. A
self-calibration may check that the hearing test system 100 is
within the reference calibration range, and adjust calibration data
(e.g., production calibration data 29) of the hearing test system
100 to recalibrate if the hearing test system 100 is determined to
be outside the reference calibration range.
[0029] The software application 47 may include functionality for
sending commands to the portable test unit 10, such as a command to
an audio processing electronics 14 to produce a calibration signal
to cause the earpiece 30 to generate acoustic calibration stimuli.
The acoustic calibration stimuli may be received by the portable
test unit 10 (e.g., by microphone 16) when the earpiece 30 and
portable test unit 10 are operatively coupled via the acoustic
calibration cavity 12. In some examples, the software application
47 may include functionality for causing a calibration signal to be
transmitted to the headphone 36 (e.g., via the portable test unit
10 or directly from the computing device 40 which may be
operatively coupled to headphone 36) such that an acoustic
calibration stimulus may be produced by the earpiece 30 in response
to the calibration signal. The software application 47 may include
functionality for retrieving test data from the portable test unit
10, such as calibration levels determined based on measurements
from the acoustic calibration cavity 12. The computing device 40
may store, utilize, or relay reference calibration data for
performing a calibration check according to examples herein. In
some examples, the same software application 47 or a second
software application may include functionality for performing a
hearing test.
[0030] As described herein and with further reference to FIG. 2,
the hearing test system 100 includes a portable test unit 10, which
includes an acoustic calibration cavity 12 (also referred to herein
as "calibration cavity") adapted to accommodate the earpieces 30 at
least partially within. The acoustic calibration cavity 12 may be
configured for coupling the earpiece 30 therewith, for example by
inserting at least a portion of the earpiece 30 within an opening
of the calibration cavity 12 (e.g., an inlet of the calibration
cavity 12). In some examples, during a calibration check or a
self-calibration, the speaker 34 of the earpiece 30 may be oriented
toward a microphone 16 provided within the acoustic calibration
cavity 12. In some examples, the microphone 16 may be positioned at
a bottom side of the acoustic calibration cavity 12. During a
calibration check or a self-calibration, the microphone 16 may
produce a calibration signal input in response to the acoustic
calibration stimuli generated by the earpiece 30 and provided into
the calibration cavity 12. The microphone 16 may deliver the
calibration signal input to an audio processing electronics 14
(APE) of the portable test unit 10.
[0031] The microphone 16 may measure ambient sounds during a
hearing test. For example, during a hearing test, ambient sound may
be measured by the microphone 16 to ensure that the ambient sound
level is sufficiently low to accurately evaluate the hearing
ability of the user 1. Thus, the same hardware of the portable test
unit 10 (e.g., microphone 16 and APE 14) may be utilized for the
hearing test, calibration check, and/or automatic
self-calibration.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, earpiece 30 of hearing test system
100 may include an ear tip 32 for use during a hearing test. In
some examples, the ear tip 32 is removed from the earpiece 30 prior
to inserting the earpiece 30 into the acoustic calibration cavity
12 for calibration check. The calibration cavity 12 may be sized
and shaped to produce a predetermined sound pressure within the
calibration cavity 12 in response to the acoustic calibration
stimuli. The acoustic calibration cavity 12 may be configured to
provide a controlled acoustic transfer function for the earpiece 30
when inserted at least partially therein. In some examples, the
calibration cavity 12 may be configured such that the speaker 34 of
the earpiece 30 and the microphone 16 of the portable test unit 10
are oriented towards one another when the earpiece 30 is placed at
least partially within the calibration cavity 12. The calibration
cavity 12 may alternatively be configured such that the microphone
16 is positioned indirectly with respect to the speaker 34 when the
earpiece 30 is placed at least partially within the calibration
cavity 12. In some examples, the calibration cavity 12 may secure
the earpiece 30 at least partially within the calibration cavity 12
using locking tabs, notches, detents, pressure fit, treads, any
other type of known securing features, or combinations thereof.
[0033] FIGS. 4-6 provide additional views of portable test unit 10
and earpiece 30 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an
exploded view of a portable test unit 10 and an earpiece 30,
according to some examples. The portable test unit 10 may include a
housing that encapsulates electronic circuitry (e.g., audio
processing electronics 14) therein. The housing may be formed from
plastic. The housing may be manufactured using an injection molding
process or any other known methods. The housing may include a top
housing component 20 and a bottom housing component 21 that may
couple with one another by adhesive, snapping, ultrasonic welding,
or any other known bonding mechanism or technique. The top housing
component 20 may include a cavity opening 22 which may function as
an inlet to the acoustic calibration cavity 12 of the portable test
unit 10. The cavity opening 22 may be configured for cooperating
fit with the earpiece 30 when inserted at least partially therein.
The cavity opening 22 may be circular, semi-circular, or any other
shape to match the shape of the earpiece 30 to be inserted at least
partially therein. The acoustic calibration cavity 12 may include a
lead in feature and a sealing ring 24 to facilitate insertion and
acoustic sealing of the earpiece 30 when the earpiece 30 is coupled
to the acoustic calibration cavity 12. The acoustic calibration
cavity 12 may define an acoustic chamber providing predefined
acoustics, thus providing a controlled calibration check. The
acoustic calibration cavity 12 may be provided between the top
housing component 20 and the bottom housing component 21. In some
examples, the acoustic calibration cavity 12 may be formed by a
calibration cavity compartment 23 placed inside the upper and lower
housings as shown in FIG. 4. The calibration cavity compartment 23
may be shaped and sized to provide a controlled acoustic transfer
function between the earpiece 30 and microphone 16 of the portable
test unit 10. The acoustic calibration cavity compartment 23 may
further include a bottom cavity opening 26. The bottom cavity
opening 26 may accommodate the microphone 16, which may be provided
on a circuit board 27 of the portable test unit 10, at least
partially therein. The bottom cavity opening 26 may acoustically
couple the earpiece 30 to the microphone 16 when the earpiece 30 is
at least partially inserted into the acoustic calibration cavity
12. The portable test unit 10 may include an acoustic seal for
acoustical sealing of the earpiece 30 when coupled thereto. An
acoustic seal in the form of sealing ring 24 may be provided within
the calibration cavity 12 to seal the earpiece 30 when placed at
least partially therein. Sealing for either the earpiece 30 and/or
the microphone 16 may be an O-ring type, made of compliant material
such as rubber. Sealing of the microphone 16 to the calibration
cavity compartment 23 may also be achieved by the use of a sealing
adhesive.
[0034] In some examples, the acoustic calibration cavity 12 may be
formed by a molded part to produce a precise and controlled
acoustic transfer function when the earpiece 30 is at least
partially inserted therein. The calibration cavity 12 may be
cylindrically shaped to match the shape of a cylindrical earpiece
30. The calibration cavity volume may be in the range of about 0.1
to about 0.5 cc, which may reduce or minimize the size of the
portable test unit 10. Other shapes and configurations of the
calibration cavity 12 may be used depending on the shape and type
of the headphone 36 used in a hearing test system 100, e.g., for
administering a hearing evaluation. In some examples, the
calibration cavity 12 may be sized and shaped to accommodate and
test the calibration of a hearing device 60, when placed at least
partially therein.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a sectional view and FIG. 6 is a top isometric
view of a portable test unit 10 with an earpiece 30 coupled
thereto, according to some examples. The portable test unit 10 may
include a circuit board 27 within the housing of the portable test
unit 10. Certain circuitry of the portable test unit 10 may be
provided on the circuit board 27. The circuit board 27 may be rigid
or flexible for incorporating and connecting the electronics and
transducers, such as the microphone 16 and user activated switches.
The portable test unit 10 may include interface ports (also
referred to as I/O interfaces), for example an audio jack 25 for
coupling the headphone 36 and for connecting to a communications
port. The audio jack 25 may be used to couple the portable test
unit 10 and the headphone 36 during a hearing test, a calibration
check, or a self-calibration. During a hearing test, an earpiece 30
of the headphone 36 may be worn by the user 1 in the ear. During a
calibration check or a self-calibration, an earpiece 30 of the
headphone 36 may be inserted into the calibration cavity 12. In
some examples, the I/O interfaces may include wired ports such as a
USB port or wireless connection interfaces such as a Bluetooth
interface. In some examples, the portable test unit 10 may be
connected to a computing device 40 by a USB connection. In some
examples, the circuitry may provide wireless connectivity, for
example a Bluetooth integrated circuit and an antenna. In some
examples, the I/O interfaces of portable test unit 10 may include a
programming interface 50 as described herein.
[0036] A calibration test or self-calibration check may be
performed to validate a calibration of the hearing test system 100
and correspondingly of stimuli produced by the hearing test system
100. The calibration of the hearing test system 100 may be
validated by coupling any of the earpieces 30 of the headphone 36
to the acoustic calibration cavity 12 as described above. When the
earpiece 30 is properly inserted into the acoustic calibration
cavity 12, the audio processing electronics 14 may execute
instructions 19 to transmit a calibration signal to the earpiece
30. The calibration signal may be generated by the audio processing
electronics 14 and transmitted to the earpiece 30 using a wired
connection (e.g., via audio jack 25) or a wireless connection
(e.g., Bluetooth). The acoustic calibration signal may be generated
using calibration data, for example production calibration data 29.
The production calibration data 29 may be stored in memory (e.g.,
memory 17 of the portable test unit 10, memory 44 of the computing
device 40, or on a remote database). Acoustic pressure produced in
response to the calibration stimuli provided in the calibration
cavity 12 may be sensed by the microphone 16. The microphone 16 may
generate a calibration signal input in response to the sensed
acoustic pressure. The calibration signal input may be
representative of the acoustic calibration stimuli provided into
calibration cavity 12. The calibration signal input from the
microphone 16 may be transmitted to the audio processing
electronics 14, and the audio processing electronics 14 may
determine a measured calibration level based on the sensed acoustic
pressure. The measured calibration level may be compared with a
reference calibration level to validate the calibration of the
hearing test system 100. In some examples, the production
calibration data 29 may be automatically adjusted according to the
measured calibration level. For example, and as noted herein,
production calibration data 29, which may be used to produce
signals for generating acoustic calibration stimuli (e.g., acoustic
test stimuli and/or calibration stimuli), may be stored in a memory
of the hearing test system 100 or memory communicatively coupled
with the hearing test system 100. If the measured calibration level
is not within an acceptable range, the production calibration data
29 associated with hearing test system 100 may be adjusted such
that acoustic stimuli generated by the hearing test system in a
subsequent hearing test or calibration correspond with stimuli that
are associated with the reference levels. The production
calibration data 29 for the earpiece 30 may be automatically
adjusted, e.g., without further human involvement, responsive to
the measured calibration level if different from the acceptable
range relative to the reference level. In some examples, the audio
processing electronics 14 and processor 18 are incorporated into a
single chip integrated circuit (IC), incorporating a CPU, an
analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, and a digital-to-analog (D/A)
converter.
[0037] The reference calibration data 46 may be stored in memory 17
within the portable test unit 10, or in the memory of an external
device, for example the memory 44 of the computing device 40 or
memory of a remote database accessible by the hearing test system
100. The reference calibration data 46 may be generated at the
factory. The production calibration data 29 may include data
representative of acoustic calibration stimuli matching the
reference calibration data 46. The audio processing electronics 14
may be in communication with one or more I/O devices, for example a
wireless antenna or a USB bus. The audio processing electronics 14
may receive a calibration signal input produced by the microphone
16. The calibration signal input produced by the microphone 16 may
be in response to receiving acoustic calibration stimuli produced
by the speaker 34 of the earpiece 30 when seated properly within
the calibration cavity 12. In some examples, the calibration signal
may be a tonal signal, composite signal, or wide spectrum noise,
representing the range of audiometric frequencies of interest for
the hearing test system 100 and the calibration of transducers
thereof.
[0038] The audio processing electronics 14 may be incorporate an
internal processor 18. The internal processor 18 or an external
processor 41 (collectively, the "processors") within the computing
device 40 may be configured to measure a calibration level of the
hearing test system 100 and perform additional functions for
validating the calibration of and/or re-calibrating the hearing
test system 100. The calibration level may be determined from a
voltage level of the calibration signal input which may be
representative of the level of the acoustic calibration stimuli
produced by speaker 34. The processors may validate the measured
calibration level using reference calibration data 46 stored in
memory. The reference calibration data 46 may be retrieved from
local memory (e.g., memory 44 of the computing device 40 or memory
17 of the portable test unit 10) or from memory of a remote server.
The validation may occur by comparing the measured calibration
level to a reference level. The measured calibration level may be
validated if the calibration level is within an acceptable range,
for example within 1-3 dB of a reference calibration level. The
acceptable range may be any tolerance level determined to be
acceptable, and may be within 3 dB for frequencies in the range of
500 to 4,000 Hz. according to certain standards, such as the ANSI
3.6 Standard for Audiometers. In some examples, the tolerance level
may be greater than 3 dB.
[0039] If the calibration level for a particular frequency is
validated, the processors may proceed to check the calibration at
other frequencies until all audiometric frequencies of interest are
validated. If the measured calibration level is found to be outside
an acceptable range, the processors may adjust the production
calibration data 29 to compensate for the out-of-range calibration.
In some examples, a failed calibration check may require the
portable test unit 10 or the headphone 36 to be sent to the
manufacturer or a service center for inspection or re-calibration.
A failed calibration check may be indicative of a damaged headphone
36, a leaky acoustic calibration cavity 12, or a defective
connection or electronic component. A leaky acoustic calibration
cavity 12 may result from a cracked cavity compartment 23 or a
damaged sealing ring 24.
[0040] A processor associated with the hearing test system 100 may
use the measured calibration level to ensure that the portable test
unit 10 is within the acceptable range with respect to the
reference calibration level.
[0041] In some examples, the acoustic calibration stimuli delivered
into the calibration cavity 12 may be above 60 dB SPL to minimize
interference from ambient sounds present in the environment of the
portable test unit 10 during the calibration check or during the
automatic calibration process.
[0042] The self-checking hearing test system 100 disclosed herein
may reduce or eliminate costly calibration checks, or
recalibration, typically performed at the manufacturer site, or by
a technician in clinical settings. The hearing test system 100 may
allow for self-checking of the integrity of the portable test unit
10 and/or headphone 36 at home or non-clinical setting by a
non-expert user by inserting the earpiece 30 of the headphone 36
into the calibration cavity 12 and initiating a calibration check
by a software application 47. In some examples, the calibration
check is rapid and takes less than 15 seconds. In some examples,
acoustic calibration stimuli at multiple test frequencies, for
example 500, 1,000, 2000 and 4,000 Hz, may be produced and provided
into the calibration cavity 12 and the measured calibration level
at each test frequency may be compared with reference levels (e.g.,
as obtained from stored reference calibration data). In some
examples, the calibration stimuli may represent a composite signal
including a plurality of audiometric frequencies, for example the
audiometric frequencies of interest. In some examples, calibration
data, for example production calibration data 29 associated with
hearing test system 100, may be adjusted to yield measured
calibration levels within a reference calibration range for the
calibration cavity 12. This self-contained calibration system may
mitigate the need for specialized calibration instruments such as a
sound level meter, an acoustic coupler, and/or a sound level meter
calibrator unit.
[0043] In some examples, the hearing test system 100 may include a
hearing aid fitting capability. A hearing test system 100 according
to such examples may utilize the audio processing electronics 14
for delivering calibrated audio signals at predetermined levels to
a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing device (e.g.,
hearing device 60 in FIG. 9) in-situ. The test audio signals may
correspond to sound segments of varied sound levels and frequency
characteristics. The hearing test system 100 may also include a
programming port or interface 50 for interactively delivering audio
and/or programming signals to a programmable hearing device
in-situ. The programming interface 50 may be wired or wireless. In
some examples, a wired programming interface 50 may include a
programming pod to couple the portable test unit 10 to a
programmable hearing device. The programming pod may be provided on
a first end of a programming cable. A second end of the programming
cable may couple to the programming interface 50. In some examples,
the portable test unit 10 may include a power source, for example a
battery. In some examples, the portable test unit 10 may draw power
from the computing device 40 using a wired interface, such as USB.
The programming pod may deliver power and allow for data
communications between the portable test unit 10 and the
programmable hearing device. In some examples, at least a portion
of the programming pod provided on the first end of the programming
cable may be inserted into a receptacle cavity of a main module of
the programmable hearing device. In some examples, an I/O plug
(e.g., USB) provided on the second end of the programming cable may
be mechanically and electrically coupled to the portable test unit
10 at the programming interface 50.
[0044] A fitting method according to examples herein may generally
involve instructing a user 1 (e.g., a hearing device consumer) to
listen to the output of the hearing device 60 in-situ and to adjust
fitting parameters 63 (e.g., via a user interface 43) according to
the subjective assessment of the consumer to the output delivered
by the hearing device 60 in-situ, said output generated by
interactively delivering a test audio signal and programming
signals to the hearing device 60 in-situ. The fitting method may be
implemented by software application 47 or another software
application stored in memory 44 of the computing device 40. A user
interface 43, e.g. for use during a fitting method, may be
presented to the user using a display 42 of the computing device
40. The user interface 43 may be configured to allow the hearing
device consumer to respond and adjust hearing device parameters 63
in perceptual lay terms, such as volume, loudness, audibility,
clarity, and the like, rather than technical terms and complex
graphical tools conventionally used by hearing professionals in
clinical settings. The fitting of the hearing device 60 enables the
user 1 to customize the hearing device 60 such that the speaker 61
of the hearing device 60 produces an output in response to signals
received by the hearing device 60 based on the preferences and/or
hearing impairment of the user 1.
[0045] FIGS. 7-8 are flow charts of methods one or both of which
may be embodied in a hearing test system according to some examples
of the present disclosure. While the various steps in these flow
charts are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinary
skill will appreciate that some or all of the steps can be executed
in different orders and some or all of the steps can be executed in
parallel. Further, in some examples, one or more of the steps
described below can be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in a
different order. Accordingly, the specific arrangement of steps
shown in FIGS. 7-8 should not be construed as limiting the scope of
the invention.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of calibration check of a
hearing test system comprising a built-in calibration cavity (e.g.,
acoustic calibration cavity 12), according to some examples. In
step 702, an acoustic calibration stimuli is provided to an
acoustic calibration cavity of a portable test unit. The acoustic
calibration stimuli may be produced by an earpiece of a headphone
inserted, at least partially, into the acoustic calibration cavity.
In step 704, a calibration signal input is produced using a
microphone acoustically coupled to the acoustic calibration cavity.
The calibration signal input may be representative of acoustic
pressure in the acoustic calibration cavity responsive to the
acoustic calibration stimuli. In step 706, the calibration signal
input is transmitted to audio processing electronics of the
portable test unit. In step 708, a measured calibration level based
on the calibration signal input is determined. In step 710, if the
measured calibration level is outside a predefined calibration
range, an action to calibrate is performed. A determination may be
made as to whether the measured calibration level is within an
acceptable range of calibration. If yes, then the self-calibration
may terminate as shown in step 712. If no, then the calibration
data may be adjusted using the measured calibration level as shown
in step 714. Any of steps 702, 704, 706, 708, and 710 may then be
repeated for each frequency to be calibrated. Alternatively, a
composite signal representing a multitude of audiometric
frequencies may be produced and a corresponding calibration signal
input may be produced and analyzed using the appropriated
processing, for example by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis.
It will be understood that any of the steps described above may be
repeated or cycled through until a determination is made that the
level of the calibration signal input is within the acceptable
range of calibration.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for performing a
calibration check of a hearing test system, according to some
examples. In step 802, an acoustic calibration stimuli is provided
to an acoustic calibration cavity of a portable test unit. The
acoustic calibration stimuli may be produced by an earpiece of a
headphone inserted, at least partially, into the acoustic
calibration cavity. In step 804, a calibration signal input is
produced using a microphone acoustically coupled to the acoustic
calibration cavity. The calibration signal input may be
representative of acoustic pressure in the acoustic calibration
cavity responsive to the acoustic calibration stimuli. In step 806,
the calibration signal input is transmitted to audio processing
electronics of the portable test unit. In step 808, a measured
calibration level based on the calibration signal input is
determined. In step 810, a determination may be made as to whether
the level of the calibration signal input is within a calibration
range. The calibration range may be in accordance with reference
calibration data stored in a memory. A remote server and/or a
computing device may host any of the calibration range, production
calibration data, and the reference calibration data. If yes, then
a successful calibration check is indicated as shown in step 812.
If no, then a failed calibration check is indicated as shown in
step 814.
[0048] Although embodiments of the invention are described herein,
variations and modifications of these embodiments may be made,
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus, the above-described embodiments of the invention should not
be viewed as exhaustive or as limiting the invention to the precise
configurations or techniques disclosed. Rather, it is intended that
the invention shall be limited only by the appended claims and the
rules and principles of applicable law.
* * * * *