JP4794785B2 - Hearing test equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hearing test apparatus that tests the hearing of a subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A hearing test apparatus is known that presents a test sound to a subject and tests the subject's hearing according to whether or not the test sound can be heard. Among these types of apparatuses, there are apparatuses configured to connect a commercially available personal computer and an inspection apparatus main body and perform inspection while digitally managing inspection sound data.
Devices that perform inspection are known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a hearing test apparatus using a personal computer, the installation area becomes larger and takes up more space than when using only a dedicated hearing test apparatus. For this reason, the problem that it is difficult to place in a narrow place arises. Further, when connecting a personal computer and an inspection apparatus main body, it has been inconvenient to handle because RS232C, which is a kind of communication protocol, is used.
[0004]
In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing test apparatus that is easy to handle and uses a small installation area while using a commercially available personal computer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.
(1) In a hearing test apparatus that performs a hearing test by outputting a test sound necessary for a hearing test to a subject and obtaining a subjective response of the subject to the test sound. A control unit that outputs a predetermined test sound to the sound output unit based on the test program that is connected to a sound output unit that outputs and a personal computer that stores a test program necessary for hearing test and that is executed by the personal computer A control unit having a mounting table for mounting the personal computer, and an operation of the subject that the subject has been able to discriminate with respect to the inspection sound output from the sound output unit. Response means for inputting by the above.
(2) The control unit of (1) is provided with an operation member for inputting a signal for changing the inspection sound .
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a hearing test apparatus used in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the hearing test apparatus.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a hearing test apparatus main body. The apparatus main body 1 includes a base 2 on which a control unit 20 for performing various settings is provided, and a notebook personal computer 3 (hereinafter referred to as a PC) placed on the upper surface of the base 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a power supply box. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 20 includes a set button group 21 for adjusting the sound pressure level, selecting a frequency, executing an inspection program, and the like, a calibration button 22 for calibrating the sound pressure level to be output to the outside, and the like. Is provided. The setting button group 21 includes a sound pressure switching button 21a for manually switching the sound pressure level, a start button 21b for inputting a signal for starting automatic inspection, and a signal for performing re-inspection at the same sound pressure. A re-inspection button 21c for inputting, a button 21d for inputting a signal for stopping the automatic inspection, and the like are provided. In addition, the operation of the apparatus main body 1 can be performed by using a mouse or the like not shown on the operation screen displayed on the display 9 of the PC 3 other than the control unit 20.
[0007]
Further, the upper surface of the base 2 has a concave shape 2a in which the front side (the control unit side) and the left and right sides of the upper surface periphery (upper end portion) are raised so as to be placed and fitted with an A4 type PC. . By fitting the PC 3 on the upper surface of the base 2 having the concave shape 2a, the PC 3 is not displaced during operation. In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the base 2 has a shape for fitting with the PC 3, but is not limited thereto. For example, any shape that allows the PC 3 to be placed on the upper surface (for example, a flat shape) may be used. In order to prevent the PC 3 from being displaced from the base 2 during operation, means for fixing and holding the PC 3 on the base 2 may be provided.
[0008]
On the rear surface (back surface) of the base 2, an output terminal 12, an input terminal 13, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal for connecting to the PC 3, and the like are provided. Since the base 2 and the PC 3 are connected by the USB cable 6, the base 2 and the PC 3 can be easily connected. In the conventional hearing test apparatus, the RS232C is used for connection with the PC. However, in this embodiment, the USB can be used to connect and disconnect the PC with the power on. Further, only the inspection sound input / output and the control unit 20 are mounted on the base 2, and the control of the apparatus main body 1 and the display of the inspection result are left to the PC 3 side, so that the base 2 becomes as compact as possible. I have to.
[0009]
The output terminal 12 is connected to an output device for outputting sound (inspection sound) such as the speaker 4R (L) and the headphones 7. An input device such as a microphone 8 used for calibration is connected to the input terminal 13.
[0010]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a control unit that is placed inside the PC 3 and controls the entire apparatus main body 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a memory unit that stores an inspection sound reference signal value and an inspection program used for the hearing test. The test sound reference signal value is obtained by quantifying test sound data necessary for a test such as a frequency used in the hearing test and a sound pressure level for each frequency, and is used as a reference value during calibration. The frequencies used in this embodiment are seven types of 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 KHz, 2 KHz, 4 KHz, and 8 KHz, and sound pressure data from −20 dB to 120 dB is stored for each frequency (sound pressure) Can be non-continuous or gradual).
[0011]
The control unit 10 transmits the inspection sound reference signal value stored in the memory unit 11 to the D / A conversion circuit 15 as a digital signal. The D / A conversion circuit 15 converts the received digital signal into an analog signal, sends it to the output terminal 12, and generates a test sound from the speaker 4 </ b> R (L) or the headphones 7 connected to the output terminal 12.
[0012]
An A / D conversion circuit 14 is connected to the input terminal 13 and converts sound input from the microphone 8 from an analog signal to a digital signal. Reference numeral 16 denotes a signal detection unit that detects the wavelength of the inspection sound and the output signal level (sound pressure level) from the digital signal obtained from the A / D conversion circuit 14. Reference numeral 17 is a response button for the subject to respond, 18 is a memory unit for storing the test result from the subject, and 19 is a notification means for performing a notification of the end of the test by voice.
[0013]
The operation of the hearing test apparatus having the above configuration will be described. Here, the calibration of the test sound output is first described, and then the automatic hearing test is described.
[0014]
<Calibration of inspection sound output>
Here, a calibration method when a speaker is used as the output device is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 and will be described below.
First, the examiner (the person who performs calibration) installs the speaker 4R (L), the apparatus main body 1 and the like in the same positional relationship as at the time of the inspection, and the microphone 8 connected to the input terminal 13 at the actual inspection place. Is placed where the subject is to be examined. A microphone 8 that has been calibrated in advance is used, and a correction value for calibration is input to the apparatus main body 1 in advance.
[0015]
Next, the examiner uses the setting button group 21 of the control unit 20 or the display screen displayed on the display 9 to select (R or L) the speaker 4 to be calibrated. When the selection of the speaker 4R (L) is completed, the examiner presses the calibration button 22 to start the calibration operation.
[0016]
When the calibration button 22 is pressed, the control unit 10 receives test sound reference signal values of all frequencies necessary for the test, and becomes a predetermined (first) sound pressure level (0 dB in the present embodiment). The inspection sound signal is transmitted to the D / A conversion circuit unit 15 as a digital signal. The D / A conversion circuit 15 converts the received digital signal into an analog signal, and outputs test sounds of a plurality of frequencies at a predetermined sound pressure from the speaker 4R (L) via the output terminal 12 at a time.
[0017]
The microphone 8 receives the inspection sound output from the speaker 4 </ b> R (L) and transmits the signal (analog signal) to the A / D conversion circuit 14 through the input terminal 13. The A / D conversion circuit 14 converts the received signal into a digital signal and transmits it to the signal detection unit 16. The signal detection unit 16 performs arithmetic processing such as frequency decomposition processing on the received digital signal, and detects a sound pressure level signal value at each frequency. The control unit 10 compares the sound pressure level signal value at each frequency detected by the signal detection unit 16 with the test sound reference signal value at each frequency stored in the memory unit 11 to obtain the difference.
[0018]
Next, the control unit 10 performs a calculation process (addition / subtraction process) on the sound pressure level signal value so as to match the test sound reference signal value, corrects the signal value, and again uses the corrected sound pressure level signal value to make the speaker 4R. The inspection sound is output from (L). The microphone 8 inputs the output inspection sound again, and the signal detection unit 16 and the control unit 10 perform comparison and correction. In this way, the correction operation is repeatedly performed until the sound pressure level signal value input from the microphone 8 matches the inspection sound reference signal value stored in the memory unit 11 to perform calibration.
[0019]
When calibration is completed at a predetermined sound pressure level, the control unit 10 performs similar calibration control (operation) at another (second) sound pressure level (for example, 120 dB). When the calibration of the two types of sound pressure levels is completed, the control unit 10 obtains a proportional relationship from the calibration values (correction processing results) at the obtained two types of sound pressure levels, and other sound pressure levels based on this proportional relationship. Correction processing is performed so as to obtain the calibration value.
If the difference between the two sound pressure levels actually output from the speaker 4 is increased, the correction process in other sound pressure level calibration becomes more accurate.
[0020]
Conventionally, a lot of external equipment necessary for calibration, such as a sound level meter, was used and a professional calibrator took time to calibrate. However, in this embodiment, the inspection sound output from the main body of the apparatus is captured again. Thus, the inspection sound data is compared with the inspection sound reference signal value stored in the apparatus body itself, and the calibration is performed by controlling the output of the inspection sound so as to match the inspection sound reference signal value. For this reason, an external device such as a sound level meter and a specialized calibrator can be easily performed.
[0021]
In addition, since all the frequencies required for the inspection are output from the output device at the time of calibration, the calibration time can be remarkably shortened compared to the method of calibrating each frequency one by one. In addition, if there are at least two types of sound pressure levels to be actually output, calibration can be performed for all sound pressure levels without outputting other sound pressure levels, and therefore the calibration time can be further shortened.
[0022]
In this embodiment, all the frequencies necessary for the inspection are output from the output device at a predetermined sound pressure level at a time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each frequency is sequentially output from the output device. Control may be performed as described above.
[0023]
Further, the calibration when the headphones 7 are used may be performed by attaching a coupler (not shown) to the headphones 7 and inserting the microphone 8 into the headphones 7 to calibrate the left and right according to the calibration method described above.
[0024]
<Hearing test>
Next, the hearing test will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. Here, the automatic test | inspection which performs a hearing test automatically using the headphones 7 is demonstrated.
The examiner holds the response button 17 on the subject and puts the headphones 7 on. First, the examiner manually obtains a rough hearing ability by using the sound pressure switching button 21a of the setting button group 21 (for example, obtains the subject's hearing threshold at a certain frequency in units of 10 dB). The examiner inputs a threshold value (rough sound pressure level) of the examinee obtained in the memory unit 11 using the setting button group 21. After the input, the examiner presses the examination start button 21b of the setting button group 21 to start the automatic examination. The control unit 10 causes the test program stored in the memory unit 11 to be executed, and performs a hearing test. Automatic inspection is performed one ear at a time using the ascending method.
[0025]
First, the control unit 10 performs a hearing test. The practice is performed by outputting a sound pressure level that is 10 dB lower than the sound pressure level previously input to the memory unit 11 for a certain period of time using a test frequency (for example, 1 KHz) and then increasing it by 5 dB. When the subject hears a sound from the headphones 7, he / she presses the response button 17 to notify the control unit 10 that the determination has been made. The control part 10 starts this test | inspection by making the lowest sound pressure level which could be discriminate | determined among several sound pressure levels presented as practice as a reference | standard sound pressure of a subject. The inspection program is divided into a plurality of steps depending on the frequency of the sound to be presented.
[0026]
First, the control unit 10 sets the inspection frequency to 1 KHz as the first step, and outputs from the headphones 7 for a certain period of time at a sound pressure level 10 dB lower than the obtained reference sound pressure. If there is no response from the subject, the sound pressure level is increased by 5 dB and output until a response from the subject is obtained. When the response from the subject is obtained, the control unit 10 repeats the same control again from the sound pressure level at the start of the main examination. Such inspection results are displayed on the display 9 as needed.
[0027]
Here, in the response content from the subject, if the difference between the sound pressure levels that have been responded is different by 15 dB or more, the control unit 10 temporarily interrupts the inspection and informs that the inspection may be inappropriate. The means 19 is used to sound a beep and inform the examiner that the examination has been once completed. The examiner will consider whether to continue the examination or to terminate it. When the inspection is continued, the re-inspection button 21c is used to perform the re-inspection at 1 KHz. When the test is to be ended, the test is terminated with an end button (not shown), and an operation is performed to perform the test again from the beginning.
[0028]
When the response from the subject is obtained twice at the same level of sound pressure after the start of the examination, the control unit 10 stores the sound pressure level in the memory unit 18 as the threshold of the subject's hearing. In this embodiment, the threshold value is determined when it is obtained twice at the same level of sound pressure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same level sound necessary for determining the threshold value according to the number of inspections performed. The number of pressure responses may be determined. For example, (number of inspections performed / 2) times (rounded off after the decimal point) may be used as the number of times of response of the same level sound pressure necessary for threshold determination.
[0029]
When the threshold value of the subject's hearing at 1 KHz is obtained, the control unit 10 once interrupts the test and sounds a beep using the notification means to notify the tester that the test has been once completed. The examiner determines whether or not the examination is appropriate from the examination result displayed on the display 9 and its progress information. If the examiner can judge that the examination is appropriate, the examiner presses the start button 21b of the setting button group 21 to select the next frequency. A command is given to the control unit 10 to perform a hearing test at (2 KHz). In the case where a question arises about the test result, the examiner uses the retest button 21c of the setting button group 21 to perform a retest at 1 KHz.
[0030]
In this way, the hearing test is performed when test results for all predetermined programmed frequencies (eg, programmed to perform at 1 KHz, 2 KHz, 4 KHz, 8 KHz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, and 500 Hz) are obtained. finish. Even before all the inspection steps are completed, the inspection program can be terminated by the button 21d when interrupted at each step.
[0031]
In the conventional automatic inspection, once the inspection is started, the examiner cannot intervene until the inspection of all the frequencies is completed. However, in this embodiment, the inspection is temporarily interrupted every time the inspection of each frequency is completed. Therefore, the examiner can determine the appropriateness of the examination. Further, in the present embodiment, the inspection sound is used as the notification means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the interruption of the inspection is visually notified by blinking the screen in addition to the inspection sound. It can also be.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, the inspection is temporarily interrupted for each frequency. However, the setting button group 21 can be configured to appropriately set the interval at which the inspection is temporarily interrupted.
Furthermore, it is possible to store an appropriate inspection state in the memory unit 11 in advance, and interrupt and report an error only when an inappropriate inspection result is obtained.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a hearing test apparatus that can be used with a notebook computer placed thereon, and therefore can be used without taking up space. In addition, since the base and the personal computer are connected by USB, it can be easily connected and handling is easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a hearing test apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the hearing test apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing configuration;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of automatic inspection.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Base 3 Personal computer 4R (L) Speaker 6 USB cable 7 Headphone 8 Microphone 20 Control part

Claims (2)

A sound that outputs test sound to the outside in a hearing test device that outputs a test sound necessary for a hearing test to the subject and obtains a subjective response of the test subject to the test sound. A control unit connected to an output unit and a personal computer for storing a test program necessary for hearing test, and outputting a predetermined test sound to the sound output unit based on the test program executed by the personal computer; A control unit having a mounting table for mounting the personal computer, and an input by the subject's operation indicating that the subject has been able to discriminate against the inspection sound output from the sound output unit. And a response means for hearing. The hearing test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided with an operation member for inputting a signal for changing the test sound .

Images