Abstract:
A hearing evaluation and hearing aid fitting system (22) provides a fully immersed, three-dimensional acoustic environment to evaluate unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing function of an individual. Digital filtering of one or more signal sources representing speech or other audio-logically significant stimuli according to selected models and digitally controlled signal processing parameters produce a simulated acoustic condition for presentation to a hearing impaired person for hearing evaluation.
Abstract:
Digital filtering (18) of one or more signal sources according to selected models and digitally controlled signal processing parameters, including audio sources, spatializing coordinates, acoustic boundaries, signals representing one or more simulated hearing aids, and individualized body/external ear transfer functions synthesizes a simulated three-dimensional acoustic condition for presentation to hearing-impaired person (20) for objective and subjective hearing evaluation via an intra-canal prosthesis (22) that is positioned in the ear canal (21), and that incorporates a microphone probe to measure in-the-ear-canal responses at a common reference point near the tympanic membrane (26) during unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing evaluation. A virtual electroacoustic audiometer (19) computes the electroacoustic parameters of a hearing aid based on the results of the unaided audiometric evaluation and reference measurements that included the acoustic response near the tympanic membrane. The system then synthesizes acoustic signals reflecting the combined selection of audio signal model, spatialization model, acoustic boundaries model, as well as computed hearing aid model in the case of simulated aided condition.
Abstract:
A hearing device (10) having highly articulated, non-contiguous parts and adapted for placement within the ear canal (20) includes a receiver module (40) for delivering acoustic signals within close proximity to the tympanic membrane (26), a main module (12) containing all hearing aid components except the receiver, and a connector (50) that routes amplified electrical signals from the main module (12) to the receiver module (40). The connector (50) fits in the cartilaginous area (28) of the ear canal (20) and is articulated with both the receiver module (40) and main module (12) to permit independent movement of the receiver module (40) while the hearing device (10) is inserted or removed and during various jaw movements, such as chewing, yawning and talking.