JP3105794U - Audiometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audiometer capable of performing a hearing test in a short time.
SOLUTION: A control unit 101 receives an instruction to start an examination from an examiner via an operation unit 106, designates a right ear to a switching unit 103, and instructs a sound source unit 102 to emit a 1 kHz and 30db oscillation sound. I do. The sound source unit 102 generates a sound signal based on an instruction from the control unit 101, and causes the speaker 104R to emit an oscillating sound via the switching unit 103. When the subject hears the sound, the subject presses the response switch 105 to notify the control unit 101. The control unit 101 receives the test subject's notification and writes the test result in the storage unit 107 after the sound source unit 102 has finished generating sound. The control unit 101 also performs an inspection on other frequencies, and causes the display unit 109 to display the inspection result. Further, the control unit 101 outputs the inspection result to the printing unit 108 and prints the inspection result according to the request of the inspector.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an audiometer capable of performing a hearing test in a short time.

  In companies and schools, health examinations are regularly conducted, and hearing tests may be conducted in conjunction with these. In such a hearing test, the examiner uses seven types of frequencies of 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz, and the examiner uses an audiometer to determine the frequency, volume, left and right of the ear to be tested, and the like. Specify and perform inspection. In such an examination, the examiner first searches for the frequency and volume of the sound that can be heard by the subject, and checks whether it can be heard at other frequencies. At this time, since much of the work of the examiner is manual work, there is a problem that it takes about 6 to 7 minutes per subject. Due to this problem, when a large number of subjects undergo a hearing test in a school, a company, or the like, the subject may wait a long time for the test.

The audiometer disclosed in Patent Literature 1 suppresses a case in which an accurate test cannot be performed by, for example, holding down a response button while a subject does not make a sound, thereby reducing the test time. It is a technology to shorten. However, Patent Literature 1 is a technique targeting an error case in which the subject keeps pressing the response button or the like, and cannot obtain an effect with respect to a case where a large number of normal tests are performed.
JP-A-07-308310

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an audiometer capable of performing a hearing test in a short time.

  This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the invention of claim 1 is to input an instruction of frequency and volume, and for a predetermined time on the basis of the instruction, a sound source unit that sounds, And a response switch that outputs a notification of sensing the sound of the subject, information on a combination of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, a predetermined volume, and a volume lower than the predetermined volume, A storage unit for storing test order data, which is data including the pronunciation order of the test, reading out the test order data from the storage unit, and selecting a first combination from the test order data according to the pronunciation order at the time of the test. Is selected, and the sound source unit is caused to specify and sound a frequency of the first combination and a volume lower than a predetermined volume of the first combination, and the sound of the subject is transmitted from the response switch. Only when the notification of the sensing is input, it is diagnosed as normal, and only when the notification of the detection of the sound of the subject is not input from the response switch, the frequency of the first combination and the first combination are supplied to the sound source unit. Only when a predetermined volume is designated and sounded, and only when the notification of the detection of the sound of the subject is input from the response switch, it is diagnosed that the subject is deaf, and the notification of the detection of the sound of the subject is input from the response switch. Control means for diagnosing a precision test only when not performed, selecting a second combination from the test order data according to the order of pronunciation at the time of the test, and performing a similar test. Meter.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the audiometer according to claim 1, wherein the combination of the predetermined plurality of frequencies, a predetermined volume, and a volume lower than the predetermined volume is: 1 kilohertz, 50 decibels, 30 decibels combination, 2 kilohertz, 50 decibels, 30 decibels combination, 4 kilohertz, 50 decibels, 40 decibels combination, 8 kilohertz, 50 decibels Combination of dB, 40 dB, 125 Hz, 50 dB, 30 dB, 250 Hz, 50 dB, 30 dB, 500 Hz, 50 dB, 30 dB And a combination of

  The invention according to claim 3 is the audiometer according to claim 2, wherein the order of pronunciation at the time of the inspection is a combination of 1 kilohertz, 50 decibels, and 30 decibels. There is a combination of 2 kHz, 50 dB, and 30 dB, followed by a combination of 4 kHz, 50 dB, and 40 dB, followed by a combination of 8 kHz, 50 dB, and 40 dB. , Followed by a combination of 125 Hz, 50 dB, and 30 dB, followed by a combination of 250 Hz, 50 dB, and 30 dB, followed by 500 Hz. It is characterized in that there is a combination of 50 dB and 30 dB.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the audiometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein report data in a storage area for recording an inspection result for each frequency and report data are input. Further comprising a printing unit for printing, when performing the diagnosis, the control unit writes the diagnosis result to the report data for each frequency, only when receiving a user's instruction, read the report data from the storage area The image data is output to the printing unit.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the audiometer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit is configured to input a notification of sensing the sound of the subject from the response switch, It is characterized in that the sound source section is caused to interrupt sound generation, and the next combination included in the test order data is selected according to the sound order at the time of the test, and the test is performed.

  According to the invention of claim 1, the necessary hearing test pattern is executed without human intervention, and the test with a loud sound is executed only when necessary. There is an effect that can be.

  According to the invention of claim 2 or claim 3, since the inspection is performed in accordance with the pitch and volume of the sound in accordance with the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard, or in accordance with the order of pronunciation, objective evaluation of the inspection result is performed. This has the effect of making it easier.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the inspection result is printed immediately, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress a writing error or the like accompanying the transcription of the inspection result.

  According to the invention of claim 5, when the hearing is normal in a certain combination of tests, the test is immediately performed with the next combination, so that the test can be performed in a shorter time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an audiometer 100 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 101 is a control function of the audiometer 100 and will be described later in detail. The sound source unit 102 generates a sound signal in response to an instruction from the control unit 101 and outputs the sound signal to the switching unit 103. The switching unit 103 outputs the sound signal input from the sound source unit 102 to the speaker 104L used for examining the left ear of the subject or the speaker 104R used for examining the right ear of the subject based on the instruction of the control unit 101 to generate sound.

  The response switch 105 is a push-button switch for notifying the audiometer 100 that the subject has perceived a sound generated from the speaker 104L or 104R. In the operation unit 106, the audiometer 100 receives an instruction from the examiner and notifies the control unit 101 of the instruction. The storage unit 107 stores report data in the format shown in FIG. In addition, the storage unit 107 stores test order data including information on the volume of the oscillating sound, the pitch of the sound, and the order of pronunciation in the test. The inspection order data has the contents shown in FIG. The printing unit 108 prints the inspection result. The display unit 109 displays the inspection result.

  Next, the operation of the audiometer 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a flow of the process of the audiometer 100. Now, the examiner is about to test the subject's hearing. The examiner confirms that the subject has correctly worn the speaker 104L and the speaker 104R, and inputs an instruction to start the examination to the operation unit 106 of the audiometer 100.

  The control unit 101 of the audiometer 100 inputs an examiner's instruction via the operation unit 106, accesses the storage unit 107, reads out the examination order data, and puts the number in parentheses of FIG. The sounding of the oscillation sound in the order shown in FIG. First, the control unit 101 outputs “R” to the switching unit 103 because the right ear of the subject is an examination target. The switching unit 103 receives data from the control unit 101, recognizes that the speaker 104 </ b> R is to be sounded, and outputs “OK” to the control unit 101.

  The control unit 101 inputs data from the switching unit 103, and requests the sound source unit 102 to output an oscillation sound by outputting “1 kHz” and “30 db” (steps S01 and T01 in FIG. 2). The sound source unit 102 receives data from the control unit 101, generates a sound signal of an oscillating sound having a height of 1 kHz and a size of 30 db, and continues to output the sound signal to the switching unit 103 for a predetermined time. The switching unit 103 receives a signal from the sound source unit 102, outputs a signal input to the speaker 104R according to the instruction of the control unit 101, and causes the speaker 104R to generate sound.

  When the test subject perceives the pronunciation from the speaker 104R, the test subject presses the response switch 105 and notifies the audiometer 100 that the sound has been heard. The response switch 105 receives an instruction from the subject and transmits “ON” to the control unit 101 of the audiometer 100. The control unit 101 inputs data from the response switch 105 and detects that the subject has perceived the oscillating sound ("Yes" in step T02 in FIG. 2). Then, the control unit 101 waits for the output of the sound signal from the sound source unit 102 to end. The sound source unit 102 stops outputting the sound signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, and outputs the sound generation end to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 inputs data from the sound source unit 102, and sets “” ”indicating normality to data corresponding to“ 1 kHz ”and“ right ”of the report data in FIG. Step T03). In this case, there is no need to perform an inspection on the combination of 1 kHz and 50 db shown in (2) of FIG.

  When the subject does not hear the oscillating sound from the speaker 104R, the subject does not perform a reaction such as pressing the response switch 105. The sound source unit 102 stops outputting the sound signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, and outputs the sound generation end to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 inputs data from the sound source unit 102 and determines that the subject did not perceive the oscillation sound ("No" in step T02 in FIG. 2).

  Next, the control unit 101 requests the sound source unit 102 to output an oscillation sound by outputting “1 kHz” and “50 db” in the order shown in FIG. 3 (step T04 in FIG. 2). The sound source unit 102 receives data from the control unit 101, generates a sound signal of an oscillating sound having a height of 1 kHz and a size of 50 db, and continuously outputs the sound signal to the switching unit 103 for a predetermined time. The switching unit 103 receives a signal from the sound source unit 102, outputs a signal input to the speaker 104R according to the instruction of the control unit 101, and causes the speaker 104R to generate sound.

  When the subject perceives the oscillating sound from the speaker 104R, the subject presses the response switch 105 and notifies the audiometer 100 that the oscillating sound has been heard. The response switch 105 receives an instruction from the subject and transmits “ON” to the control unit 101 of the audiometer 100. The control unit 101 inputs data from the response switch 105, and determines that the subject has perceived the oscillation sound ("Yes" in step T05 in FIG. 2). Then, the control unit 101 waits for the output of the sound signal from the sound source unit 102 to be completed. The sound source unit 102 stops outputting the sound signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, and outputs the sound generation end to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 inputs data from the sound source unit 102, and sets “△” representing the degree of hearing impairment in data corresponding to “1 kHz” and “right” of the report data in FIG. Step T06).

  When the subject does not hear the oscillating sound from the speaker 104R, the subject does not perform a reaction such as pressing the response switch 105. The sound source unit 102 stops outputting the sound signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, and outputs the sound generation end to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 inputs data from the sound source unit 102 and determines that the subject did not perceive the oscillation sound ("No" in step T05 in FIG. 2). The control unit 101 sets “x” indicating the precision inspection required in the data corresponding to “1 kHz” and “right” of the report data in FIG. 4 in the storage unit 107 (step T07 in FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, the control unit 101 performs the same processing for each frequency in steps S02 to S07 of FIG. However, for 4 kHz and 8 kHz, the inspection is performed at 40 db instead of 30 db (step T01 in FIG. 2). In addition, the control unit 101 performs a similar test for the left ear, and writes the result in the report data shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 101 reads the report data shown in FIG. 4 from the storage unit 107, outputs the read report data to the display unit 109 and displays the report data, and notifies the inspector of the completion of the inspection. The examiner checks the display unit 109 of the audiometer 100 and inputs a print instruction to the operation unit 106 as necessary. The control unit 101 of the audiometer 100 inputs an examiner's instruction via the operation unit 106, reads out the report data shown in FIG. 4 from the storage unit 107, outputs the report data to the printing unit 108, and prints the report shown in FIG.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and includes design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention. It is. For example, in step S01 to step S07 in FIG. 2, when the subject perceives an oscillating sound (“Yes” in step T02 or “Yes” in step T05 in FIG. 2), the control unit 101 controls the sound of the sound source unit 102. Although the output of the signal is waited, in such a case, the sound source unit 102 may be instructed to interrupt the output of the sound signal, and the next frequency may be inspected. This has the effect of shortening the processing time.

  In the present embodiment, the sound source unit 102 generates a sound signal and continues to output the sound signal to the switching unit 103 for a predetermined time. However, even if the examiner sets or changes the predetermined time. good. At the time of a health examination at a nursing facility or the like for the elderly, the adjustment can be made such that the predetermined time is lengthened, which is effective.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the audiometer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of the audiometer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the order of the inspection for every frequency of the audiometer in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the data which an audiometer uses in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of printing of the inspection result of the audiometer in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference Signs List 100 audiometer 101 control unit 102 sound source unit 103 switching units 104L and 104R speaker 105 response switch 106 operation unit 107 storage unit 108 printing unit 109 display unit

Claims (5)

An instruction of frequency and volume is input, and for a predetermined time based on the instruction, a sound source unit that sounds,
A response switch that receives an instruction from a subject and outputs a notification of sensing the sound of the subject,
A storage unit that stores information of a combination of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, a predetermined volume, and a volume lower than the predetermined volume, and inspection order data that is data including the order of pronunciation at the time of inspection,
Reading the inspection order data from the storage unit, and selecting a first combination from the inspection order data according to the order of pronunciation at the time of the inspection
The sound source unit is caused to sound by designating a frequency of the first combination and a volume lower than a predetermined volume of the first combination,
Only when the notification of the sound of the subject is input from the response switch, it is diagnosed as normal,
Only when the notification of the sound of the subject is not input from the response switch, the frequency of the first combination and the predetermined volume of the first combination are specified and sounded to the sound source unit,
Only when the notification of the sound of the subject is input from the response switch, it is diagnosed as being slightly deaf,
Only when not inputting the notification of the sensing of the subject's sound from the response switch, diagnosed as requiring a detailed inspection,
Control means for selecting a second combination from the inspection order data in accordance with the order of pronunciation at the time of the inspection and performing a similar inspection. The combination of the predetermined plurality of frequencies, a predetermined volume, and a volume lower than the predetermined volume,
1 kilohertz, 50 decibels and 30 decibels,
2KHz, 50dB, 30dB combination,
The combination of 4 kHz, 50 dB and 40 dB,
8KHz, 50dB, 40dB combination,
125 Hz, 50 dB, 30 dB combination,
250 Hz, 50 dB, 30 dB combination,
The audiometer according to claim 1, wherein the audiometer comprises a combination of 500 Hz, 50 dB, and 30 dB. The order of pronunciation at the time of the inspection is
First, there is a combination of 1 kHz, 50 dB, and 30 dB,
Subsequently, there are combinations of 2 kHz, 50 dB, and 30 dB,
Then there is the combination of 4 kHz, 50 dB and 40 dB,
Then there are the combinations of 8 kHz, 50 dB and 40 dB,
Then there is the combination of 125 Hz, 50 dB and 30 dB,
Subsequently, there are combinations of 250 Hz, 50 dB, and 30 dB,
The audiometer according to claim 2, wherein there is a combination of 500 Hz, 50 dB, and 30 dB. Report data in a storage area for recording test results for each frequency,
And a printing unit for inputting and printing the report data.
When performing the diagnosis, the control unit writes a diagnosis result to the report data for each frequency, and reads out the report data from the storage area and outputs the report data to the printing unit only when a user's instruction is received. An audiometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The control unit, when the notification of the sound of the subject is input from the response switch, causes the sound source unit to interrupt the sound generation, and selects the next combination included in the test order data according to the sound order at the time of the test. The audiometer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inspection is performed.

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