Personal hearing evaluator

Abstract

A hand-held device includes an audio transducer (i.e., speaker) for delivering acoustic test stimuli to a test subject within the direct sound field range of the device. The device accurately delivers multi-level and multi-frequency test stimuli for the subjective response by the test subject holding the device. An ultrasonic position sensor within the device determines the position of the device with respect to the head or a portion of interest of the head of the test subject while the device is being held. The acoustic test stimuli are controlled and regulated based on the position of the device with respect to the test subject so that accurate levels of test stimuli are presented only when the device is within a proper range and irrespective of its exact position with respect to the test subject's head.

1 . A hand held device for performing sound field hearing testing, the device comprising: 
 an audio transducer configured to produce acoustic test stimuli to a test subject within a direct sound field range of the audio transducer;    a contactless position sensor system configured to remotely measure a distance of the device with respect to the head or part thereof of the test subject; and    means for adjusting characteristics of the acoustic stimuli responsive to the position sensor system, the adjustment means configured to produce a substantially constant acoustical perception at the subject's ear irrespective of device position or test mode.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means is configured to adjust the acoustic stimuli responsive to ambient noise.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured for operation by a test operator assisting the test subject.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , including means for performing the hearing evaluation in an unaided condition in which the test subject is not wearing a hearing aid.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , including means for performing the hearing evaluation in an aided condition in which the test subject is wearing a hearing aid.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , including means for performing the hearing evaluation in the aided condition to verify functionality of the hearing aid worn by the test subject.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , including means for performing the hearing evaluation in the aided condition to adjust at least one parameter of the hearing aid.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising means for delivering at least one of the acoustic test stimuli within the soft level listening range of normal hearing individuals.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the soft level listening range is between 20 and 40 dB HL.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising means for delivering at least one of the acoustic test stimuli within the comfortable level listening range of normal hearing individuals.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the comfortable level listening range is between 45 and 65 dB HL.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the contactless position sensor system comprises at least one of an optical transducer, an acoustic transducer or an ultrasonic transducer.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the contactless position sensor system comprises means for determining if the device is within an operable range and orientation with respect to the head or part thereof of the test subject.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the contactless position sensor system comprises a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising interface means for connecting a remote instrument to the device for remotely operating the device.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the interface means comprises at least one of the Internet or a wireless connection.  
   
   
       17 . A method of remotely evaluating a test subject's hearing, the method comprising: 
 selecting an acoustic test stimuli to test the hearing of the test subject;    signaling the selected test stimuli from a remote location with respect to the test subject to a hand-held device having an interface and an audio transducer;    delivering the acoustic test stimuli to the test subject with the hand held device oriented toward the subject's head or part thereof of interest;    registering a user response to the test stimuli; and    signaling the user response to the remote location.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the test stimuli and user response are signaled over at least one of the Internet or a wireless connection.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the user response is registered using a response key on the hand held device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the test stimuli are selected using a computer.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the test stimuli comprise an audiogram test including six or more frequencies.