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Publication Number
US-11076779-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An optimization system for testing a patient's hearing comprising a controller, right and left ear pieces, and a memory. The controller provides a series of tones to the ear piece and receive feedback from the patient between each tone provided. The controller then generates a data point on an audiogram after receiving each feedback, wherein each data point is based on the respective feedback, and, after each data point is generated, compute a statistical distribution based on the generated data points. The controller then identifies an area of the audiogram most in need of additional data based on the statistical distribution and selects a subsequent tone to provide in the series of tones, wherein each subsequent tone provided in the series of tones is a tone represented in the area of the audiogram most in need of additional data at the time of selection.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an optimization system for testing a patient’s hearing using an ear piece and an interactive controller with memory. The system provides a series of tones to the ear piece, receives feedback from the patient between each tone indicating that the respective tone was detected or not detected, and generates a data point on an audiogram based on the respective feedback. After each data point is generated, the system computes a statistical distribution based on the generated data points, identifies an area of the audiogram most in need of additional data, and selects a subsequent tone that is represented in the identified area at the time of selection.
In one embodiment, the system includes an ear piece with right and left components, and the controller supports a right audiogram and a left audiogram. The controller generates corresponding data points on each audiogram based on the feedback associated with tones provided to the respective right and left ear pieces. This embodiment is further associated with graphical outputs including a hearing thresholds graph with upper and lower curves derived from the tones and patient feedback.
The invention also includes embodiments in which the statistical distribution is computed using a Gaussian process and presented with user interface elements. The described graphical user interface includes an audiogram and a hearing thresholds graph, and the hearing thresholds graph is characterized by upper and lower curves derived from patient feedback. A confidence-level termination concept is also described in the optimization system summary for selecting and updating testing during the testing process.
Claims Coverage
The patent provides two independent claims, covering both an optimization system and a method for testing a patient’s hearing. Across the independent claims and their dependents, the inventive features are focused on tone-by-tone feedback, audiogram data point generation, statistical distribution computation to identify an audiogram region needing additional data, and adaptive selection of subsequent tones from that region.
Audiogram-guided adaptive tone selection with statistical distribution
Provide a series of tones to the ear piece; receive feedback between each tone indicating detected or not detected; generate a data point on an audiogram after each feedback; compute a statistical distribution based on the generated data points; identify an area of the audiogram most in need of additional data based on the statistical distribution; and select a subsequent tone represented in the area most in need of additional data at the time of selection.
Audiogram data-point generation from detected/not-detected feedback with distribution-based next-tone selection (method)
Provide a series of tones to an ear piece; receive feedback between each tone indicating detected or not detected; generate a data point on an audiogram after each feedback based on the respective feedback; after each data point is generated, compute a statistical distribution based on the generated data points; identify an area of the audiogram most in need of additional data based on the statistical distribution; and select a subsequent tone represented in the area most in need of additional data at the time of selection.
Both independent claims center on adaptive hearing testing where feedback is converted into audiogram data points, a statistical distribution is computed from those data points, an audiogram region requiring additional data is identified, and the next tone is selected from that region at the time of selection. Dependent claims further specify bilateral right/left ear-piece behavior, Gaussian process computation, and hearing thresholds graph presentation with upper and lower curves.
Stated Advantages
Select subsequent tones represented in an audiogram area most in need of additional data at the time of selection.
Compute a statistical distribution based on generated audiogram data points to identify the area of the audiogram most in need of additional data.
Provide graphical outputs including an audiogram and a hearing thresholds graph with upper and lower curves derived from patient feedback.
Documented Applications
Testing a patient’s hearing using an ear piece and patient feedback to generate audiogram data points and guide tone selection.
Providing right/left ear piece testing with separate right audiogram and left audiogram data point generation.
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