The specific embodiment
Example embodiment of the present invention is disclosed at this.Yet concrete structure disclosed herein and functional details only are used to describe the purpose of example embodiment of the present invention, and example embodiment of the present invention can should not be construed as with various multi-form enforcements and be confined to the example embodiment of the present invention listed at this.
Therefore, the present invention allows various modifications and multi-form, and the form by the example in the accompanying drawing illustrates specific embodiment of the present invention, and will describe in detail at this.Yet, should be appreciated that the present invention should be defined as disclosed concrete form, on the contrary, the present invention covers all modifications, equivalent and falls into the interior things of the spirit and scope of the present invention.In whole description, identical label is represented identical parts.
Can be used to describe various elements following though should be appreciated that first, second grade of term, these elements should not limited by these terms.These terms just are used for an element and other element are distinguished.For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, first element can be known as second element, and similarly, second element can be known as first element.Term as used herein " and/or " comprise one or more unite list the item combination in any or all combinations.
Should be appreciated that this element can directly connect or be attached to other element, perhaps can have intermediary element when element is called as " connection " or " combination " to another element.On the contrary, when element is called as " directly connecting ", " directly combination " to another element, there is not intermediary element.Other word that is used to describe the relation between the element should be in an identical manner explained (that is, " and between " with " directly ", " adjacent " and " direct neighbor " etc.).
The purpose of term only is to describe specific embodiment as used herein, and should be as restriction of the present invention.Unless context spells out in addition, singulative as used herein also means and comprises plural form.Should also be appreciated that when using term " to comprise " at this and/or when " comprising ", specify the existence of characteristic, integral body, step, operation, element and/or the assembly of statement, but do not get rid of one or more other characteristics, integral body, step, operation, component element and/or and the existence or the interpolation of group.
Unless otherwise defined, those skilled in the art should be appreciated that all terms (comprising technology and scientific terminology) have the meaning identical with common understanding as used herein.Should also be appreciated that such as the term that in the dictionary of common use, defines to be interpreted as having the meaning consistent, unless, can not be interpreted as the meaning of ideal or extreme form in this special definition with the article of association area.
Fig. 1 is the block diagram that the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells of an example embodiment according to the present invention is shown.
In Fig. 1, the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells of current embodiment comprises hearing diagnosis parts 100, stimulates part detection part 102 and stimulation therapy parts 104.
Hearing diagnosis parts 100 will offer the user with the corresponding audio signal of special frequency band, and by the user according to the response measurement of the audio signal that provides audition about the user of frequency band.Here, can measure audition by pure pitch audiometry PTA, otoacoustic emission OAE and evoked response audiometry ERA etc.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, hearing diagnosis parts 100 will use the audio signal of the frequency band of the resolution division littler than an octave resolution in the association area to offer the user, and detect the position of the hair cell that damages and the damage ratio of hair cell according to the audio signal that provides.
Preferably, hearing diagnosis parts 100 will have 1/k (k is the positive integer greater than 2), and octave resolution (more preferably, the audio signal of frequency band 1/3 to 1/24 octave resolution) offers the user as those who are investigated, and user's audition is provided according to the audio signal that provides.Here, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal that is provided for the user is corresponding with the intermediate frequency in 250Hz arrives the 12000Hz scope, that is, and and intermediate frequency.Using maximum 1/24 octave resolution to divide under the situation of intermediate frequency range, user's whole hair cell zone can be divided into 134 frequency bands (band region).
Under the situation of checking audition, the audible signal of the special frequency band of selecting from 134 frequency bands is provided for the user, and the user imports response message in response to the audio signal that provides that is conditioned volume.
The corresponding audition threshold value of audio signal of the frequency band that is stored as and selects according to the response message of volume adjustment.Here, the audition threshold value represents to have the audition threshold value about the hair cell zone of the specific frequency of the frequency band selected.
Stimulate 102 uses of part detection part to detect the stimulation part about the audition threshold value of the audio signal of each frequency band.The detection indication of stimulation part here, will be provided the detection in the hair cell zone of acoustical signal stimulation.Particularly, stimulate the detection of part to determine and the hair cell zone frequency band corresponding of damaging.
The acoustical signal that stimulation therapy parts 104 will have a preset strength according to the detection that stimulates part detection part 102 outputs to the frequency band in the hair cell zone of damage.Here, can provide and have the acoustical signal of intensity (decibel) than the high predetermine level of audition threshold value of the frequency band of pre-stored.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the combination at least a or tone and noise in acoustical signal and amplitude modulation tone, frequency modulation tone, the pulse sound mediation amplitude modulation narrow-band noise is corresponding.
In addition, under the situation of a plurality of hair cells zone damage, can provide acoustical signal to the hair cell zone of damaging, provide acoustical signal at random to the hair cell zone of damaging, or provide acoustical signal continuously the hair cell zone of damage by the order of damage ratio.
Be provided in acoustical signal under user's the situation in hair cell zone of damage, can improve user's audition with various intensity, type or order.
Below, with reference to Fig. 2 the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells of current embodiment is described in detail.
Fig. 2 is the block diagram that the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells of an example embodiment according to the present invention is shown.
In Fig. 2, the hearing diagnosis parts 100 of current embodiment comprise UI output block 200 and response message memory unit 202.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, UI output block 200 is the volute interface shown in the displayed map 3 on display unit 232, from rather than skilled expert's those who are investigated can diagnose its audition voluntarily.
As shown in Figure 3, the volute interface of current embodiment has and the corresponding image 300 in hair cell zone that uses high-resolution to divide.Here, owing to be used to diagnose the whole frequency range of audition corresponding with intermediate frequency (that is, 250Hz is to 12000Hz), so using 1/24 octave resolution to divide under the situation of intermediate frequency, the volute interface can have 134 hair cell area images 300.
The user select in the hair cell area image 300 one with the situation of measuring audition under, the audio signal of output and the frequency band of the hair cell area image coupling of selecting.Here, represent to have and the specific frequency band of hair cell zone correspondent frequency that relates to image with the frequency band of hair cell area image coupling.In addition, can select hair cell area image 300 by using key button, mouse or touch screen method to wait.
Under the situation of having exported audio signal, the user can control 302 by volume and regulate the intensity of audio signal, and imports the response message about hot spot that can't hear audio-frequency information.
Response message memory unit 202 receive with from the relevant response message of each audio signal of user's output block 220, and store the response message of reception.Here, user's output block 220 can be keyboard, mouse or touch screen.In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, response message can be stored as the audition threshold value of the frequency band that relates to aforesaid corresponding audio-frequency information.
Can be by the audition of above method measurement about the hair cell zone.
In Fig. 2, stimulate part detection part 102 to comprise that audition threshold value comparing unit 204 and purpose frequency band determine parts 206.
Audition threshold value comparing unit 204 will be stored in the audition threshold value of the user in the response message memory unit 202 and compare with reference to the audition threshold value.
Audition threshold value comparing unit 204 judges that whether the audition threshold value of the frequency band of measuring is than reference audition threshold value height.
The purpose frequency band determines that parts 206 should be according to comparative result and the frequency band of being treated is defined as the purpose frequency band.Here, purpose frequency band definiteness really shows the detection in the hair cell zone of damage, to similar in hearing diagnosis parts 100, can be that unit determines the purpose frequency band with 1/k octave resolution.Yet, the purpose frequency band determine to be not limited to said method.For example, can be confirmed as the purpose frequency band with hair cell zone frequency band corresponding scope with high audition threshold value and the successive damage in position.
Be stored in the memorizer 208 about the information of the one or more purpose frequency bands determined with according to the order information of damage ratio customer identification information with coupling.
The stimulation therapy parts 104 of current embodiment comprise that acoustic signal intensity determines that parts 210, acoustical signal kind determine that parts 212, stimulation determine parts 214, acoustical signal output block 216 and timing piece 218 in proper order, and acoustical signal is offered the user who uses the information in the memorizer 208 that is stored in.
Acoustic signal intensity is determined parts 210 definite intensity that will be provided for user's acoustical signal.
Need acoustic signal intensity to determine that parts 210 will the intensity higher 3 decibels to 20 decibels than the audition threshold value of each purpose frequency band be defined as the intensity of acoustical signal.
Under the purpose frequency band was confirmed as situation with the successive hair cell in position zone frequency band corresponding scope, acoustic signal intensity determined that parts 210 can be defined as high 3 decibels to the 20 decibels intensity of meansigma methods than the audition threshold value in hair cell zone the intensity of acoustical signal.
Preferably, the intensity of acoustical signal can be determined to be in 3 decibels to 10 decibels the scope.
The acoustical signal kind determines that parts 212 consider that users' selection determines to be provided for the type of user's acoustical signal, needs the user's of treatment hearing loss rate or purpose frequency band.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the source tone of acoustical signal can have amplitude modulation tone, frequency modulation tone, pedal point, pulse sound mediation amplitude modulation narrow-band noise etc.Here, the acoustical signal kind is determined parts 212 with in tone, pedal point and the noise at least one, or the combination of tone, pedal point and noise is defined as and will be provided for user's acoustical signal.
Stimulation determines that in proper order parts 214 consider that users' selection determines the acoustical signal output order about the purpose frequency band, user's the hearing loss rate that needs treatment or the adjacent rate of purpose frequency band.
Preferably, stimulation determines that in proper order parts 214 can determine the output order, thereby from exporting acoustical signal in proper order with the most serious hair cell zone frequency band corresponding of damage.Yet above output is not limited to above-mentioned order in proper order.For example, acoustical signal can be exported at random or be outputed to the purpose frequency band continuously.
216 outputs of acoustical signal output block have the acoustical signal of definite intensity, kind and order.Here, under the situation that the acoustical signal that has purpose frequency band and purpose frequency band is exported separately, the output time of each acoustical signal can be set.Whether timing piece 218 detects the output time of each acoustical signal and finishes, and according to testing result guide sound signal output component 216, thus the acoustical signal of acoustical signal output block 216 next purpose frequency band of output or finish the output of acoustical signal.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the acoustical signal of the audition that is used for the treatment of the user is output, UI output block 200 is demonstration information on the volute interface, and wherein, whether the user exports the intensity of acoustical signal, acoustical signal and type etc. by information visualization ground sensation.
For example, UI output block 200 can change according to the control of controller 230 and the color or the size of the corresponding hair cell area image 300 of frequency band (purpose frequency band) of the acoustical signal of present output.
In acoustical signal is under the situation of amplitude modulation tone, and UI output block 200 can change color or the size that synchronously changes corresponding hair cell area image 300 with the amplitude of amplitude modulation tone.
In acoustical signal is under the situation of frequency modulation tone, UI output block 200 can with by with the color or the size of the synchronous corresponding hair cell area image 300 of frequency shift of the frequency shift of frequency modulation tone.
In acoustical signal is under the situation of pedal point or pulse tone, and the acoustical signal that the color that UI output block 200 can be by corresponding hair cell area image 300 or the change of size feel to offer now the user is pedal point or pulse tone.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, whether the user can check the audition in each hair cell zone to improve by the volute interface intuitively.
UI output block 200 illustrates the volute interface, thereby is separated from other hair cell area image according to the hair cell area image 300 of the definite purpose frequency band of the diagnosis of audition.In addition, UI output block 200 can illustrate the image 300 in hair cell zone of the damage of color with change or size according to damage ratio.
In the stimulation (hereinafter referred to as " acoustical signal stimulation ") by above-mentioned acoustical signal afterwards, UI output block 200 changes the color or the size of corresponding hair cell area image 300 according to the raising rate in each hair cell zone, thus the raising rate of subscriber checking audition.
Can be by measuring the raising rate of judging audition about the audition threshold value of purpose frequency band once more.
Below, with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the method for the diagnosis audition of current embodiment and the method that improves one's hearing are described in detail.
Fig. 4 is the flow chart of processing that the diagnosis audition of the example embodiment according to the present invention is shown.Here, use touch screen to implement to be used for the display unit 232 of the equipment of stimulating hair cells.
With reference to Fig. 4, at step S400, ask to diagnose the user under his situation of audition, be used for equipment volute interface shown in the displayed map 3 on touch screen 232 of stimulating hair cells.Here, the volute interface has the image in a plurality of hair cells zone, is felt visually by the intermediate frequency that uses maximum 1/24 octave resolution to divide in the image in hair cell zone.
At step S402, judge whether the user selects to be presented at the hair cell area image 300 on the volute interface.
At step S404, selected the user under the situation of hair cell area image 300, export audio signal with the hair cell zone frequency band corresponding of the image 300 that relates to selection.
At step S406, the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells judges whether to receive user's response message according to audio signal.
Whether the user can hear that the result of audio signal regulates volume according to the user, and exports the response message about hot spot that can't hear audio signal.
At step S408, response message is stored as the audition threshold value with each audio signal frequency band corresponding.
At step S410, after the input of finishing response message, the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells with user's audition threshold value with compare with reference to the audition threshold value.
At step S412, determine the purpose frequency band by comparative result, wherein, the purpose frequency band needs acoustical signal to stimulate.
At step S414, be stored in the memorizer 208 about the information of purpose frequency band.Here, about the information of purpose frequency band can have customer identification information, about the frequency band of diagnosis audition audition threshold information, purpose band information, according to the order information of damage ratio etc.
Audio signal be divided under the corresponding situation of the frequency band with 1/24 octave resolution, can in each frequency band, determine the purpose frequency band.Yet, the purpose frequency band determine to be not limited to above-mentioned method.That is to say that the special frequency band scope can be confirmed as the purpose frequency band, in the special frequency band scope, the meansigma methods of the audition threshold value of frequency band is than reference value height.For example, use with by use 1/24 octave resolution divide 5920Hz that intermediate frequency produces to 6093Hz (first interval), 6093Hz to 6272Hz (second interval) or 6272Hz to the frequency band of 6456Hz (the 3rd interval) accordingly under the situation of each audio signal measurement audition, can determine the purpose frequency band with the unit in interval or with (that is, 5920Hz is to 6456Hz) between newly developed area with above-mentioned three intervals.
Fig. 5 is the flow chart that the processing of the stimulating hair cells of an example embodiment according to the present invention is shown.
After having determined the purpose frequency band as mentioned above, the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells is determined intensity, kind and the sequential scheduling of purpose frequency band, and according to determining that result's output is used to improve the acoustical signal of user's audition.
With reference to Fig. 5, provide under the situation of acoustical signal in step S500 request the user, the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells reads the intensity of also determining the acoustical signal of purpose frequency band about the information of target band subsequently at step S502 from memorizer 208.
At step S504 and step S506, determine the type and the output order of acoustical signal.
As mentioned above, can determine the output order of acoustical signal according to damage ratio, or be confirmed as exporting at random or continuously acoustical signal.
At step S508, export acoustical signal according to the intensity of determining, kind and order.
At step S510, to export or exporting at random under the situation of acoustical signal according to damage ratio, the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells judges whether the output time of acoustical signal is finished.
At step S512, under the situation of the output time of finishing acoustical signal, export the acoustical signal of next purpose frequency.
On the other hand, under the situation of having exported acoustical signal, it is synchronous with output, amplitude change, frequency shift or the burst length section of volute interface and acoustical signal to be used for the equipment of stimulating hair cells, and according to the color and the size of the hair cell area image 300 that changes the volute interface synchronously.
The method of bringing in the stimulating hair cells that current embodiment is provided by the computer set up by user or hospital etc. or portable terminal.In addition, can provide described method by network a long way off.
Fig. 6 is the diagrammatic sketch that the audition raising service system of the example embodiment according to the present invention is shown.
In Fig. 6, the audition of current embodiment improves service system and comprises the audition raising server 600 that is electrically connected at least one user's client computer 602 by network.Here, described network comprises cable network with the Internet and dedicated line and the wireless network with wireless Internet, mobile communications network and satellite network.
Audition improves server 600 and offers user's client computer 602 according to the application that user's request will be used for the volute interface shown in the output map 3.Here, audition improves server 600 can provide application by the whole bag of tricks, maybe will use the method for insertion webpage etc. such as method for down loading.
Selected by the volute interface under the situation of specific hair cell area image 300 the user, used the audio signal of the hair cell zone frequency band corresponding of output and user selection.
Subsequently, the user according to the situation of the volume of audio signal control output about the response message of hot spot that can't hear audio signal under, user's client computer 602 sends to audition with response message and improves server 600.
Audition raising server 600 has the stimulation part detection part shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and the response message of use user's transmission need to determine the purpose frequency of treatment.
In addition, audition improves the information of server 600 storages about the purpose frequency band, determines intensity, kind and the sequential scheduling of purpose frequency band according to user's request, and according to determining that the result offers user's client computer 602 by network with the acoustical signal of purpose frequency band.
User's client computer 602 can be implemented as operational applications and have the terminal of microphone, comprises desk-top, kneetop computer, mobile communication terminal etc.
The hair cell that the acoustical signal that user's client computer 602 provides from audition raising server 600 by output stimulates the user.
Can verify audition raising rate by experiment by the equipment that is used for stimulating hair cells of current embodiment.
Fig. 7 is the diagrammatic sketch that the chart of the pure audition check result of indicating those who are investigated is shown.Particularly, Fig. 7 illustrates by using the inspection of hearing diagnosis parts to have the result who produces to the audition in the 8000Hz scope at 2000Hz of 1/24 octave resolution.
As shown in Figure 7, those who are investigated's auris dextra has the flat type hearing loss in the 7000Hz frequency band at 3000Hz.
Fig. 8 is the diagrammatic sketch that definite those who are investigated's that are used for Fig. 7 purpose frequency band is shown.Particularly, the 5920Hz with audition threshold value of approximate 50dBHL is confirmed as being used for having the result's of Fig. 7 those who are investigated's purpose frequency to the frequency band range of 6840Hz.
Such as the acoustical signal that relates in Fig. 8 the purpose frequency band of determining of frequency modulation tone or amplitude modulation arrowband tone in the morning be provided for auris dextra evening 30 minutes, above 15 days.Here, acoustical signal has the intensity of 5dBSL (sensation level) to 10dBSL.
Fig. 9 is the diagrammatic sketch that the timetable that is used for the acoustical signal stimulation is shown.Particularly, before being provided, the acoustical signal stimulation measures audition (first kind of situation), after the acoustical signal stimulation is provided ten days (second kind of situation), and after the acoustical signal stimulation is provided 15 days (the third situation), subsequently to comparing with the corresponding audition threshold value of measurement.
In each case, make 1/24 octave resolution to audiometry ten times, the meansigma methods with measured value is used as audition subsequently, thus the experimental error of avoiding.
Figure 10 be illustrate will acoustical signal is stimulated the audition result that measure before offering auris dextra with acoustical signal is being stimulated offering auris dextra ten days after the diagrammatic sketch of the table that compares of the audition result of measurement.Figure 11 be illustrate with will acoustical signal is stimulated offer audition result that auris dextra measures after ten days with will acoustical signal is stimulated offer auris dextra 15 days after the diagrammatic sketch of the table that compares of the audition result of measurement.
With reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11, the audition threshold value of purpose frequency band diminishes providing acoustical signal to stimulate afterwards, that is, audition improves.
Figure 12 be illustrated in provide acoustical signal stimulate before and the diagrammatic sketch of the chart of the audition threshold value of auris dextra afterwards.
In Figure 12,5920Hz equals 45.4dBHL to the audition threshold value (auris dextra) of the frequency band of 6840Hz before the acoustical signal stimulation is provided.Yet the audition threshold value of frequency band equals 38.2dBHL after ten days after the acoustical signal stimulation is provided, that is, the audition threshold value reduces.In addition, the audition threshold value equals 34.2dBHL after 15 days after the acoustical signal stimulation is provided, that is, the audition threshold value reduces more.
This can be as significative results.
Figure 13 illustrates to be used to check the acoustical signal stimulation about auris dextra to stop the timetable whether raising of audition afterwards continues maintenance.
Five days to 18 days measurement audition after stopping the acoustical signal stimulation.
Figure 14 is the diagrammatic sketch that illustrates about the table of the measurement result of the audition of auris dextra after stopping the acoustical signal stimulation.Figure 15 be illustrate with Figure 14 in the diagrammatic sketch of the corresponding chart of table.
With reference to Figure 14 and Figure 15, after stopping the acoustical signal stimulation, keep raising the efficiency of audition.In addition, confirm to stimulate 18 days approximate 7.9dB of raising of audition afterwards from stopping acoustical signal.
In this description any of " embodiment ", " embodiment ", " example embodiment " etc. comprised at least one embodiment of the present invention with reference to expression and concrete feature, structure or the characteristic that embodiment unites description.Appearance at the present invention's this phrase everywhere needn't be all with reference to identical embodiment.In addition, when uniting description concrete feature, structure or characteristic, in concrete feature, structure or the technical staff of characteristic in this field the scope, to influence these concrete features, structure or characteristic and other embodiment associating with any embodiment.
Though described the present invention, should be appreciated that various other that those of ordinary skill in the art can make revises and embodiment will fall in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure with reference to some illustrative embodiment.More specifically, can be in the scope of the disclosure, accompanying drawing and claim carry out various changes and modification at the components of object assembled arrangement and/or in arranging.Except changing at components and/or in arranging and revising, other uses the technical staff in this field also is clearly.