JP2004236822A - Hearing aid selection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hearing aid selection system that can precisely measure a user's hearing characteristics and select an appropriate hearing aid corresponding to the user's hearing characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: The hearing aid selection system 1 has a management server 11 in which the product information of a variety of hearing aids is stored, an examination sound generator 12 connected to user terminals 2 that can be connected to the management server 11 through the Internet 3 and capable of generating examination sounds of a variety of frequencies and sound pressures, control means 13 provided in the user terminals 2 and performing audiometry by gradually changing the frequency and sound pressure of an examination sound. The examination sound generator 12 is lent or transferred to a user by a hearing aid sales company and the management server 11 selects a hearing aid commensurate with the result of the audiometry on the basis of merchandise information in response to the sending of the results of the audiometry from the user terminals 2 and sends the merchandise information of the hearing aids selected to the user terminals 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hearing aid selection system, and in particular, each user can accurately measure his or her own hearing characteristics without bothering to a hearing aid sales store or the like, and thus select an appropriate hearing aid according to the hearing characteristics of the user. And a hearing aid selection system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Those who are concerned about hearing loss or who wish to purchase or replace hearing aids (hereinafter collectively referred to as users) go to a hospital to receive a doctor's diagnosis or sell hearing aids. After going directly to the store and measuring the hearing characteristics with a special audiometry device called an audiometer, if it is determined that it is necessary, the current situation is that appropriate hearing aids according to the measurement results are obtained It is.
[0003]
However, for users, especially users with mild hearing loss, in addition to feeling troublesome to visit a hospital or a hearing aid retail store, the hearing aid retail store is not so widespread, etc. There has been a problem that the promotion of the use of this has not been attempted.
[0004]
Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a hearing test can be conventionally performed on a terminal device such as a personal computer possessed by a user by using a communication line such as the Internet (further, if the test result is A system has been proposed in which the use of hearing aids is promoted by automatically selecting a hearing aid to be used (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-140576 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-259714 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional system has a configuration in which a hearing test is performed using a speaker built in or external to a personal computer or the like owned by the user himself. Due to the setting and the like, it is difficult to perform a hearing test under unified conditions for all users, and as a result, it is difficult to select an appropriate hearing aid according to the hearing characteristics of each user. is there.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the related art, and each user can accurately measure his or her own hearing characteristics without having to go to a hearing aid retail store or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid selection system capable of selecting an appropriate hearing aid according to hearing characteristics.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, a management server storing product information of various hearing aids and a user terminal device connectable to the management server via the Internet are provided. A test sound generator capable of generating test sounds of various frequencies and sound pressures, and a frequency and a sound pressure of the test sound generated by the test sound generator provided in the user terminal device in a stepwise manner. Control means for changing and performing a hearing test, wherein the test sound generator is lent or transferred to a user by a hearing aid sales company, and the management server performs the hearing test from the user terminal device. When the result is transmitted, a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test is selected based on the product information, and the product information of the selected hearing aid is transmitted to the user terminal device. There is provided a hearing aid selection system characterized and.
[0009]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the hearing test is performed by controlling the test sound generator connected to the user terminal device. Therefore, the user does not need to visit his or her hearing aid store or the like to hear his own hearing. It has the advantage that its properties can be measured. In addition, since the test sound generator is rented or transferred to the user by a hearing aid sales company, unlike the case of using a speaker or the like included in a user terminal device such as a personal computer, a difference in the model of the user terminal device, The test sound can be generated under the unified condition without being affected by the sound volume setting and the like, and a highly accurate hearing test can be performed. Further, the management server selects a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test based on the product information, and transmits the product information of the selected hearing aid to the user terminal device. Therefore, the user is selected according to his / her own hearing characteristics. Can recognize the appropriate hearing aid. At this point, the user who has recognized the product information of the selected hearing aid can go to a hearing aid retail store for the first time and purchase the hearing aid, and can also purchase the hearing aid at a predetermined website provided by the management server. In this case, the hearing aid can be obtained without going to a hearing aid retail store. The selection of a hearing aid means that an appropriate hearing aid model is selected from various hearing aids in accordance with the hearing characteristics of the user, and the hearing correction characteristics of the various hearing aids (for example, digital hearing aids) are different from those of the user. In this specification, parameters are adjusted so as to conform to the above, and the hearing aid after the adjustment is used as a selection result.
[0010]
Preferably, as described in claim 2, the control means is constituted by a control program downloaded from the management server to the user terminal device.
[0011]
According to the invention of claim 2, since the test sound generator can be controlled only by accessing the management server from the user terminal device via the Internet and downloading the control program, a system having excellent convenience is provided. Provided.
[0012]
Preferably, as described in claim 3, the control means is configured to graphically display the result of the hearing test on a monitor provided in the user terminal device, and the graphical display is used in the hearing test. , The minimum sound pressure level that can be heard for each of the plurality of frequencies, and the range of the frequency and sound pressure level of a general sound emitted from a predetermined object.
[0013]
According to the invention according to claim 3, the minimum sound pressure level that can be heard by the user terminal device for each of the plurality of frequencies is a predetermined object (for example, a man, a woman, a dog, a telephone, etc.). Is displayed together with the range of the frequency and sound pressure level of the general sound emitted by the user, so that the user who visually recognizes the result can very easily understand the result of his / her own hearing test, and, based on the result of the hearing test, There is an advantage that the confidence in the selection of the hearing aid is increased.
[0014]
Preferably, as described in claim 4, further comprising a store terminal device installed in a store of the hearing aid sales company and connected to the management server via the Internet, the management server, from the user terminal device The transmitted personal information of the user, the result of the hearing test of the user, and the product information of the hearing aid adapted to the result of the hearing test are transmitted to the store terminal device.
[0015]
According to the invention according to claim 4, personal information (address, name, age, telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) of the user transmitted from the user terminal device, the result of the hearing test of the user, and the hearing test Since the product information (product name, etc.) of the hearing aid matching the result of (1) is transmitted to the store terminal device, when the user goes to the hearing aid sales store and purchases the hearing aid, the store can quickly respond. On the other hand, there is an advantage in that a user who has little motivation to purchase can perform aggressive business activities from the store side.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hearing aid selection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the hearing aid selection system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a management server 11, a test sound generator 12, and a control unit 13.
[0018]
The management server 11 is operated and managed by a hearing aid sales company, and stores in advance product information (product name, applicable hearing level, hearing correction characteristics, appearance photograph, price, etc.) of various hearing aids that can be updated as appropriate. ing. As will be described later, the management server 11 selects a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test based on the product information when the result of the hearing test is transmitted from the user terminal device 2, and The product information is configured to be transmitted to the user terminal device 2.
[0019]
The test sound generator 12 is lent or transferred to a user by a hearing aid sales company, is capable of generating test sounds of various frequencies and sound pressures, and is connected to the user terminal device 2 owned by the user via a USB. And the like. Note that the user terminal device 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is in an environment where it can be connected to the management server 11 via the Internet 3, and includes, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. .
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the test sound generator 12 more specifically. As shown in FIG. 2, the test sound generator 12 according to the present embodiment includes a signal input terminal 121, a branching unit 122, a variable frequency oscillator 123, a variable amplifier 124, and a speaker 125. The signal input terminal 121 has a frequency control signal (digital signal) for controlling the frequency of the test sound to be generated by the test sound generator 12 from the user terminal device 2 and the sound pressure of the test sound, as described later. And a sound pressure control signal (digital signal) for controlling the The branching unit 122 outputs the frequency control signal to the variable frequency oscillator 123 and outputs the sound pressure control signal to the variable amplifier 124. The variable frequency oscillator 124 outputs a sine wave having a frequency corresponding to the input frequency control signal to the variable amplifier 124. The variable amplifier 124 amplifies the amplitude of the input sine wave so as to have an amplitude corresponding to the sound pressure control signal and outputs the amplified sine wave to the speaker 125. The speaker 125 converts the input sine wave signal into an acoustic signal and outputs it. As described above, the test sound generator 12 generates a test sound corresponding to the frequency control signal and the sound pressure control signal input to the signal input terminal 121. The test sound output from the speaker 125 is configured to be heard through an earphone 126 attached to the test sound generator 12, as shown in FIG.
[0021]
The control means 13 is provided in the user terminal device 2 and executes a hearing test by changing the frequency and sound pressure of the test sound generated by the test sound generator 12 stepwise. More specifically, the control unit 13 according to the present embodiment is configured by a control program downloaded to the user terminal device 2 from the management server 11 and, as described above, performs an inspection from the user terminal device 2. Control is performed to output a frequency control signal and a sound pressure control signal to the signal input terminal 121 of the sound generator 12. In the present embodiment, the control means 13 is a control program downloaded from the management server 11, and has an advantage that it is excellent not only for users but also for hearing aid sales companies, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the hearing aid sales company lends or transfers the test sound generator 12 to a user, the hearing aid sales company also rents or transfers an external storage medium such as a CD storing a control program, and transfers the control program from the external storage medium. May be read and installed in the user terminal device 2.
[0022]
The control unit 13 is configured to graphically display the result of the hearing test on a monitor provided in the user terminal device 2, and the illustrated display listens to each of a plurality of frequencies in the hearing test. The minimum sound pressure level (hereinafter, also referred to as hearing level as appropriate) that can be obtained is illustrated, and the frequency and sound pressure level of a general sound emitted from a predetermined object (male, female, dog, telephone, etc.) are illustrated. It is configured to show the range.
[0023]
Next, the operation (including the method of use) of the hearing aid selection system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
[0024]
The operation of the hearing aid selection system 1 includes (1) preparation operation, (2) hearing test execution operation, (3) display operation of hearing test result, (4) hearing aid selection operation, and (5) product information transmission operation. It is roughly divided. Hereinafter, these operations will be sequentially described.
[0025]
(1) Preparation Operation In this operation, first, the user needs to connect the test sound generator 12 lent or transferred from the hearing aid sales company to the user terminal device 2. Here, in order to rent or transfer the test sound generator 12, for example, the management server 11 provides a website for applying for the use of the hearing aid selection system 1, and the user accesses the website, A method of inputting information (address, name, age, telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) and applying for use can be considered. Next, in this operation, it is necessary to download a control means (control program) 13 for controlling the test sound generator 12 from the management server 11 to the user terminal device 2. Here, in order to download the control program from the management server 11, for example, a download web page is provided on the use application website, and the use of the hearing aid selection system 1 is applied, and the control program is downloaded. And so on.
[0026]
(2) Hearing Test Performing Operation As described above, after the preparation for using the hearing aid selection system 1 is completed, the downloaded control program is started to start the hearing test according to the control program. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for performing a hearing test. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the hearing test for the right ear is performed (S1), and then the hearing test for the left ear is performed (S2). Of course, it is also possible to configure so that the right ear hearing test is performed after the hearing test is performed. Since the test contents of the right ear and the test contents of the left ear are the same, the test contents of the right ear will be described more specifically below.
[0027]
When starting the examination of the right ear, first, a screen (see FIG. 4) for confirming whether or not the examination is ready for the user is displayed on the monitor of the user terminal 2. Next, by inputting that the user is ready using the pointing device such as a mouse provided in the user terminal 2 (clicking the “OK” button shown in FIG. 4), the inspection is started, and the inspection sound is generated. A test sound having a hearing level of 10 dB (S12) is generated from the detector 12 at a frequency of 250 Hz (S11) for a certain period of time. In other words, the above-described frequency control signal and sound pressure control signal are output from the user terminal device 2 to the test sound generator 12 by the control program in order to generate the test sound.
[0028]
Next, a screen (see FIG. 5) for confirming whether or not the user could hear the test sound is displayed on the monitor of the user terminal 2. Here, by inputting the fact that the test sound was heard using the mouse or the like of the user terminal 2 (clicking the “hear” button shown in FIG. 5), the frequency and hearing level of the test sound are recorded ( For example, it is recorded on the RAM or hard disk of the user terminal 2) (S14).
[0029]
On the other hand, if the user fails to hear the test sound and inputs that the test sound was not heard (by clicking the “I cannot hear” button shown in FIG. 5), the frequency is not changed, Only the hearing level is increased by 5 dB (S15), and the hearing level is sequentially increased by 5 dB until the user can listen. In other words, the same frequency control signal as that described above is output from the user terminal device 2 to the test sound generator 12 by the control program, and the sound pressure control signal corresponding to the hearing level raised by 5 dB. Are sequentially output. However, when the hearing level is sequentially increased by 5 dB to reach 100 dB (S16), in other words, when the hearing cannot be performed even if the hearing level is sequentially increased to 95dB, only the frequency is recorded (S17). That is, when only the frequency is recorded, it means that the test sound of the frequency cannot be heard even if the hearing level is increased.
[0030]
Next, after doubling the frequency of the test sound generated from the test sound generator 12 (S18), the hearing level is sequentially increased by 5 dB in the same manner as described above until the hearing level can be heard in the range of 10 dB to 95 dB. . If it can be heard, the frequency and hearing level of the test sound are recorded (S14). The above operation is repeated until the frequency of the test sound reaches 4000 Hz (S19). In this manner, the minimum hearing level (sound pressure level) that can be heard for the test sound with a frequency of 250 Hz to 4000 Hz is recorded.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the frequency of the test sound is increased twice in the range of 250 Hz to 4000 Hz, and the test is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the frequency is changed in the range of 8000 Hz or in a narrow range of 500 Hz to 2000 Hz in order to further simplify the configuration of the test sound generator 12. The same applies to the hearing level, and the variable range can be set as appropriate. Further, the order in which the frequency of the test sound is changed is not limited to the configuration in which the frequency is sequentially increased twice from 250 Hz as in the present embodiment. For example, the configuration in which the frequency is changed from the high frequency to the low frequency and the test accuracy is increased. It is possible to adopt various modes such as a configuration in which a test sound of the same frequency is generated a plurality of times. The same applies to the hearing level, and the order of change can be set as appropriate.
[0032]
(3) Display Operation of Hearing Test Result After the hearing test is executed as described above, the result of the hearing test (the frequency and the hearing level of the test sound that can be heard) is displayed on the monitor of the user terminal device 2. It is shown and displayed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hearing test result. As shown in FIG. 6, the monitor of the user terminal device 2 displays the minimum sound pressure level (hearing level) that can be heard at each frequency (250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz) for each of the left and right ears. Is shown in a line graph, and the range of the frequency (frequency) and sound pressure level of a general (average) sound emitted from a predetermined object (male, female, dog, telephone, etc.) It is displayed with the symbol to represent. Therefore, for the user who visually recognizes the monitor screen, by comparing the sound with the sound emitted from the predetermined object, it is very easy to understand the result of his / her own hearing test, and to select a hearing aid based on the result of the hearing test, This has the advantage of increasing the sense of trust. In the present embodiment, the display in which the hearing level is compared to the visual acuity, specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, not only the hearing level but also the visual acuity is plotted on the vertical axis, so that the user can further improve his / her own hearing. The configuration is easy to understand the characteristics.
[0033]
(4) Hearing Aid Selection Operation The result of the hearing test recorded as described above is transmitted from the user terminal device 2 to the management server 11. Here, the hearing test result is configured to be automatically transmitted to the management server 11 after the hearing test is completed by the control program described above. More specifically, for example, it can be configured to transmit an e-mail to a predetermined e-mail address of the management server 11 at the end of the hearing test, and to transmit a test result provided by the management server 11. It is also possible to configure so as to be automatically transmitted by accessing a predetermined website and clicking a predetermined button provided on the website.
[0034]
When the result of the hearing test is transmitted from the user terminal device 2, the management server 11 selects a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test based on the product information stored in advance. More specifically, for example, it is selected as follows.
[0035]
The management server 11 sets the hearing level to which each hearing aid is applied as (A) mild (hearing level 30 to 50 dB), (B) moderate (hearing level 50 to 70 dB), and (C) altitude (hearing level 70 to 70). The hearing aid is classified into four ranks of 90 dB) and (D) severe (hearing level exceeds 90 dB), and the rank to which each hearing aid belongs is stored in advance as product information. Next, the management server 11 sets the hearing level at a frequency of 500 Hz to f1 (dB), the hearing level at a frequency of 1000 Hz to f2 (dB), and the frequency at a frequency of 2000 Hz among the hearing test results transmitted from the user terminal device 2. Assuming that the hearing level is f3 (dB), the average hearing level f (dB) is calculated by the following equation (1).
f = (f1 + f2 + f2 + f3) / 4 (1)
Finally, the management server 11 searches the product information for a hearing aid belonging to the rank of the average hearing level f calculated as described above, and extracts (selects) the hearing aid as a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test. The method of selecting a hearing aid is not limited to the above-mentioned contents, but may be selected in consideration of the results of all hearing tests (that is, considering hearing levels at frequencies of 250 Hz and 4000 Hz). It is also possible to adopt a method in which the preference of each user such as the appearance and color of the hearing aid is acquired in advance as personal information when the use application is made, and the extracted hearing aid is further narrowed down according to the preference.
[0036]
(5) Product Information Transmission Operation The product information (product name, target hearing level, hearing correction characteristic, appearance photograph, price, etc.) of the hearing aid selected as described above is transmitted to the user terminal device 2 by the management server 11. Sent to. Here, the product information of the selected hearing aid may be configured to be transmitted to the user terminal device 2 by e-mail, for example, or the selected product may be displayed on a predetermined website for transmitting the test result described above. It is also possible to configure to display information.
[0037]
As described above, by using the hearing aid selection system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can accurately measure his / her own hearing characteristics without having to go to a hearing aid sales store or the like, and can also use his / her own hearing ability. It is possible to recognize an appropriate hearing aid selected according to the characteristics.
[0038]
In addition, the store terminal device installed in the actual store of the hearing aid sales company is connected to the management server 11 of the hearing aid selection system 1 according to the present embodiment via the Internet 3, and the management server 11 connects the store terminal device to the store terminal device. On the other hand, it is also possible to transmit the personal information of the user, the result of the hearing test of the user, and the product information of the hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test. According to such a configuration, when a user goes to a hearing aid retail store and purchases a hearing aid, the store can quickly respond to the purchase. It has the advantage that active sales activities are possible. In particular, in the case of a hearing aid sales company having a plurality of stores in each region, efficient sales activities can be performed by transmitting hearing test results and the like to stores near the residence of each user. is there.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the hearing aid selection system according to the present invention, the hearing test is performed by controlling the test sound generator connected to the user terminal device. It has the advantage that its auditory characteristics can be measured without having to walk. In addition, since the test sound generator is lent or transferred to the user by a hearing aid sales company, unlike the case where a speaker or the like provided in a user terminal device such as a personal computer is used, a difference in the model of the user terminal device, The test sound can be generated under the unified condition without being affected by the sound volume setting and the like, and a highly accurate hearing test can be performed. Further, the management server selects a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test based on the product information, and transmits the product information of the selected hearing aid to the user terminal device. Therefore, the user is selected according to his / her own hearing characteristics. This provides an excellent effect that an appropriate hearing aid can be recognized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hearing aid selection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram more specifically showing the test sound generator shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an execution procedure of a hearing test in the hearing aid selecting system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal device in a hearing test in the hearing aid selection system shown in FIG. 1;
5 is another example of a screen displayed on the user terminal device in a hearing test in the hearing aid selection system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen of a hearing test result displayed on a user terminal device in a hearing test in the hearing aid selection system shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hearing aid selection system 2 ... User terminal device 3 ... Internet 11 ... Management server 12 ... Test sound generator 13 ... Control means

Claims (4)

A management server in which product information of various hearing aids is stored,
A test sound generator connected to a user terminal device connectable to the management server via the Internet and capable of generating test sounds of various frequencies and sound pressures;
A control unit that is provided in the user terminal device and that performs a hearing test by changing the frequency and sound pressure of the test sound generated by the test sound generator in a stepwise manner,
The test sound generator is rented or transferred to a user by a hearing aid sales company,
The management server, by transmitting the result of the hearing test from the user terminal device, selects a hearing aid that matches the result of the hearing test based on the product information, the product information of the selected hearing aid the said A hearing aid selection system for transmitting to a user terminal device. The hearing aid selection system according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured by a control program downloaded from the management server to the user terminal device. The control means is configured to graphically display the result of the hearing test on a monitor provided in the user terminal device,
The illustrated display shows the minimum sound pressure level that can be heard for each of a plurality of frequencies in the hearing test, and a range of a general sound frequency and sound pressure level emitted by a predetermined object. The hearing aid selection system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured as shown in FIG. Further comprising a store terminal device installed in a store of the hearing aid sales company and connected to the management server via the Internet,
The management server transmits to the store terminal device personal information of the user transmitted from the user terminal device, a result of the hearing test of the user, and product information of a hearing aid adapted to the result of the hearing test. The hearing aid selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

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