WO2006002036A2

WO2006002036A2 - Audiometer instrument computer control system and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2006002036A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/020870
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Burrows; John Cronin; Tushar Narsana; John Anthony Singarayar
Original assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
Priority date: 2004-06-15
Filing date: 2005-06-14
Publication date: 2006-01-05
Also published as: WO2006002036A3

Abstract

An audiometer control system (261) is provided including a programmable digital signal processor ('DSP') (263) coupled to a tone generator (265) and a memory and for coupling to a controller (260), wherein the controller includes a network (250) communications interface and an operator input interface, wherein the memory is for storing hearing test software (267) including DSP correction factors and received at the network interface of the controller (250), wherein the DSP (263) processes digital audio data signal received from the controller (250) based on the hearing test software (267) stored at the memory, wherein the DSP correction factors stored in the memory can be changed based on test results of a hearing test, and wherein the controller (250), upon receipt of a predetermined input at the operator interface (e.g. GUI), causes the DPS (263) in substantially real time to generate and transmit to the tone generator (265) tone data signals modified by the DSP correction factors.

Description

AUDIOMETER INSTRUMENT COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/579,802 filed June 15, 2004, assigned to the assignee of this application and incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an audiometer instrument computer control system and a method of using the system. More particularly, the present invention relates to using an audiometer instrument control system with a computer to simulate the functioning of a conventional audiometer and to interface with other computer systems and central databases so as to ensure rapid and accurate hearing health assessments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION More than twenty-five million Americans have hearing loss, including one out of four people older than sixty-five. Hearing loss may come from infections, strokes, head injuries, some medicines, tumors, other medical problems, or even excessive earwax. It can also result from repeated exposure to very loud noise, such as music, power tools, or jet engines. Changes in the way the ear functions as a person ages can also affect hearing. For most people who have a hearing loss, there are ways to correct or compensate for the problem. If an individual has trouble hearing, that individual can visit a doctor or hearing health care professional to learn whether he or she has a hearing loss and, if so, to determine a remedy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and similar governing bodies in other countries have rules to ensure that treatments for hearing loss — medicines, hearing aids, and other medical devices — are tried and tested. To determine the extent of an individual's hearing loss and whether all the parts of the ear are functioning properly, the person's doctor may want the individual to take a hearing test. A health care professional that specializes in hearing, such as an audiologist, generally administers these tests. Audiologists are usually not medical doctors, but they are trained to give hearing tests and interpret the results. In a well-known method of testing hearing loss in individuals, the threshold of the individual's hearing is typically measured using a calibrated sound-stimulus- producing device and calibrated headphones. The measurement of the threshold of hearing takes place in an isolated sound room, usually a room where there is very little audible ambient noise. The sound-stimulus-producing device and the calibrated headphones used in hearing test are together known as an audiometer. Unfortunately, conventional audiometers are cumbersome, oftentimes expensive, and do not typically interface with existing computer systems (required for data tracking and further analysis and record keeping) or centralized hearing health data sources that use population-based hearing data for further analysis. Audiometer units are often housed in large and heavy cabinets not conducive to portability. When conducting field tests, audiologists may need to travel significant distances and set up an audiometer several times a day. A standard audiometer unit can be a significant drawback in these instances. In addition, a single high-quality clinical audiometer may cost thousands of dollars - an expense that may be prohibitive for some audiologists, leading them to purchase less-expensive models and, as a result, compromising the quality of their testing services. Lastly, most conventional audiometers do not have the capability to interface with existing computer systems and computer networks. This is an important limitation for two reasons: 1 ) most audiologists use personal computers for various other health care tasks but must purchase a separate audiometer for hearing testing, resulting in equipment redundancy and added expense; and 2) as patient hearing data is collected in centralized databases with increasing frequency, an audiometer's inability to network with these databases (and to utilize the most recent patient information) may compromise the quality of an audiologist's testing services. It is also important that updated patient data produced by new hearing tests be provided to centralized data sources so that patients' other health care providers may quickly access it. Maintaining, providing, and utilizing current patient data is the most reliable way to ensure accurate test results and guarantee quality hearing care for patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an audiometer system that operates in conjunction with a personal computer. It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer-integrated audiometer system capable of communicating with other computer networks and computer databases. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable computer-integrated audiometer system. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an affordable and high-quality computer-integrated audiometer system. Accordingly, the present invention relates to an audiometer instrument computer control system and a method of using the system. More particularly, the present invention relates to using an audiometer instrument computer control system with a computer to simulate the functioning of a conventional audiometer and to interface with other computer systems and central databases so as to ensure rapid and accurate hearing health assessments. The audiometer instrument control system, when used in conjunction with a standard personal computer and a companion software application, has the capability of simulating the functionality of a conventional audiometer system for hearing health testing. This includes the capability of producing tones of various frequencies and amplitudes and transmitting those tones to the patient being tested. A real-time, programmable digital signal processor and a tone generator resident on the audiometer instrument control system produce test tones that are transmitted to a pair of headphones worn by the patient. A graphical user interface associated with the testing software is displayed on the personal computer monitor and enables the audiologist to make adjustments to the test tones and to enter test data. The audiometer instrument control system is able to upload and download hearing test information from a centralized database via the hardware resident on the personal computer and software resident on the control system. Thus, the present invention provides for an audiometer control system comprising: a programmable digital signal processor ("DSP") coupled to a tone generator and a memory and for coupling to a controller, wherein the controller includes a network communications interface and an operator input interface, wherein the memory is for storing hearing test software including DSP correction factors and received at the network interface of the controller, wherein the DSP processes digital audio data signal received from the controller based on the hearing test software stored at the memory, wherein the DSP correction factors stored in the memory can be changed based on test results of a hearing test, and wherein the controller, upon receipt of a predetermined input at the operator interface (e.g. GUI), causes the DPS in substantially real time to generate and transmit to the tone generator tone data signals modified by the DSP correction factors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional audiometer system. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer-integrated audiometer system according to the present invention. Figure 3 is an illustrative example of a computer-integrated audiometer graphical user interface. Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of running a standard hearing test using a computer-integrated audiometer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a conventional audiometer system 100 that includes a sound room 105 and an audiometer 1 10. A user 115 is tested in sound room 105, which further includes a set of headphones 120. Audiometer 1 10 further consists of a frequency adjust 125, an amplitude adjust 130, a masking level adjust 135, a tone presentation button 140, an LCD display 145, a microcontroller 150, and a power input 155. User 115 is the patient, who is wearing high-quality headphones 120 used by audiologist in sound room 105. User 115 represents the individuals (mass market) on whom a hearing test is to be administered. This is generally any and all individuals, but more specifically, the more than 10% of the population (i.e., twenty five million Americans) that have hearing loss, including one out of four people older than sixty-five. Hearing loss may come from infections, strokes, head injuries, certain medicines, tumors, other medical problems, or an excess of earwax. It can also result from repeated exposure to very loud noise, such as music, power tools, or jet engines. Changes in the way the ear performs as a person ages can also affect hearing. Sound room 105 is a soundproof room that provides a suitable environment for a hearing test. Audiometer 110 is the central input-output processing unit. Audiometer 110 is capable of producing tones used in conducting a hearing test. Microcontroller 150 controls the tone functionality of audiometer 110. Microcontroller 150 is a commercially available microcontroller capable of producing tones with frequencies from 125 Hz to 20 kHz. Microcontroller 150 is also capable of narrow-band and wide-band filtering for use in tone masking. An example of microcontroller 150 is the Cyprus PSoC microcontroller available from Cyprus Microsystems, Inc. Power input 155 is used to provide power to audiometer 110. Typically, this is standard 120-volt AC power and, alternatively, may also be DC battery power. In operation, user 115 wears headphones 120 in sound room 105. An audiologist conducts a hearing test by operating audiometer 110. Microcontroller 150 produces the required tones at the desired frequencies and amplitudes, according to adjustments made to frequency adjust 125, amplitude adjust 130, and masking level adjust 135. Frequency adjust 125, amplitude adjust 130, and masking level adjust 135 may be rotary or push-button adjustments. Typically, audiometers produce tones at frequencies between 125 Hz and 20 kHz and amplitudes between -10 dB and 110 dB. LCD display 145 indicates to the audiologist the frequency, amplitude, and masking level of the test tone. The audiologist activates tone presentation button 140 to deliver test tones to user 115 via headphones 120. The audiologist looks for verbal, visual (e.g., raising a hand), or electronic (e.g. through a switch - not shown) interaction from user 115. In addition to the use of tones, user 115 can be tested for other hearing testing metrics such as speech intelligibility, with audiometer 110 playing pre-recorded words and sentences instead of tones. Once the hearing test has been run using various frequencies, amplitudes, and speech patterns (in case of speech intelligibility), the audiologist compares the results of the test with the normal profiles for a healthy hearing response to determine the hearing profile of user 115. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer-integrated audiometer system 200 according to the present invention. Computer-integrated audiometer system 200 includes a central hearing health computer system 210, a user database 211 , a central database 212, a keyboard 223, a monitor 226, a test database 245, a network 250, a personal computer (PC) 260, and an audiometer control system 261. Audiometer control system 261 further includes a programmable, real-time digital signal processor (DSP) 263, a tone generator 265, software 267, and an amplifier chip 269. Also shown in Figure 2 are sound room 105, user 115, and headphones 120. PC 260 is the central input-output processing unit (that includes keyboard 223, monitor 226, and all PC-related hardware such as disk drives, memory, modems, or connection means, all not shown). Monitor 226 and keyboard 223 are output and input devices, respectively, for PC 260. Central hearing health computer system 210 is a remote system that is connected to PC 260 through network 250. PC 260 can be a portable computer, such as a laptop/palmtop, or a standard desktop computer. Audiometer control system 261 is capable of producing tones used in conducting a hearing test. When used in conjunction with audiometry software 267, audiometer control system 261 is capable of simulating the functionality of conventional audiometer 1 10. Audiometer control system 261 is affordable, can be mass-produced on standard, affordable, high-quality printed circuit board (PCB) technology, and easily integrates with PC 260 via parallel I/O port, serial I/O port, or PCMCIA technology. Amplifier chip 269 is a standard, commercially available PC amplifier chip that operates in conjunction with audiometer control system 261. This allows audiometer control system 261 to simulate the functionality of conventional audiometer system 100 without the need for a separate amplifier that may or may not be resident to PC 260 or elsewhere in computer-integrated audiometer system 200. Software 267 is a software module used to control the operation of audiometer control system 261 and a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on monitor 226. Software 267 can be a set of programmed instructions inside a conventional EPROM chip (not shown) on audiometer control system 261. The GUI is described in greater detail in Figure 3. The GUI simulates the functionality of conventional audiometer system 100. Software 267 enables the audiologist to 1) run standard manual hearing tests via the GUI and keyboard 223 or other input device, and 2) write and execute custom software programs using simple objects that are then able to control automated hearing tests. Software 267 also controls the porting of hearing test tones to either amplifier chip 269 or an external amplifier resident to PC 260 or elsewhere in computer-integrated audiometer system 200. Software 267 also allows for external data capture via network 250, downloading of additional software via network 250, and data transfer via network 250. Network 250 is a standard Internet connection, or alternatively is a WAN, LAN, or other network configuration. Network 250 is the communication infrastructure between PC 260 and central hearing health computer system 210. Network 250 allows central hearing health computer system 210 to remotely administer hearing aid tests, thereby allowing central hearing health computer system 210 the opportunity to reach a large number of individuals. PC 260 further contains test database 245 to store information such as patient profiles, hearing amplification tables, and patient test results. Test database 245 also stores information such as software programs and information that is downloaded from central hearing health computer system 210. Programmable real-time DSP 263 is a digital signal processor that enables the filtering or attenuation of frequency versus amplitude digital data, as defined by the hearing test data profile input by the audiologist. Programmable real-time DSP 263 then provides a digital-to-analog conversion before sending an output signal to tone generator 265. Tone generator 265 is a high-quality sound card amplifier that plays the output of programmable real-time DSP 263 on headphones 120. Central hearing health computer system 210 is a centrally located computer system that is connected to network 250, and is capable of performing all normal computer functions, such as reading and writing data to memory (within central hearing health computer system 210), reading and writing data to PC 260, communicating through modem or network connections, and running user test programs. Central hearing health computer system 210 is a central repository of all current audiological programs, audiological data, audiological research, sound ".wav" files, and speech and other sound simulations files. Central hearing health computer system 210 centralizes information such that all connected audiologists around the world can access the current audiological test procedures, new standards, new algorithms for programming devices, such as DSP-based hearing aids. User database 21 1 is a memory region of central hearing health computer system 210 that stores user data such as demographics information (age, name, date of birth, etc.), but also includes the user's actual responses to the hearing tests. Central database 212 is another memory region of central hearing health computer system 210, and stores user test programs (not shown). In operation, an audiologist, using PC 260, connects to central hearing health computer system 210 via network 250. The audiologist uploads any current patient or hearing test information from central database 212 and user database 211. This information is then loaded and stored on test database 245. With headphones 120 on user 115, the audiologist initiates hearing test software 267. The audiologist conducts the hearing test by operating GUI controls displayed on monitor 226. The GUI controls are used to adjust test tone parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and masking levels. The GUI controls simulate the functionality of frequency adjust 125, amplitude adjust 130, and masking level adjust 135 on conventional audiometer system 100. Software 267 transmits tone data signals representative of sounds (tones) at various frequencies and amplitudes directly to tone generator 265, which in turn sends the sounds to headphones 120 and, optionally, may send information or questions to monitor 226. The audiologist looks for interaction from user 115, either verbally or via keyboard 223. In addition, user 115 can be tested for speech intelligibility, with the program playing pre-defined sentences instead of tones. In this way, the hearing of user 115 can be tested. If user 115 has previously taken a low- cost screening test, such as described in the application mentioned in the first paragraph of this application, that is "Low Cost Hearing Testing System and Method of Collecting User Information", and received a diagnostic code from that test, the first request of the program would be for user 115 to enter the code corresponding to the previous test, using keyboard 223. Once the hearing test has been run at various frequencies and amplitudes, the audiologist compares the results of the test with the norms for a healthy hearing response. This comparison provides DSP correction factors, which are differences in frequency and amplitude ranges that may need more amplification or attenuation. These differences are automatically calculated and presented to the audiologist on monitor 226 for adjustment via the GUI displayed on monitor 226. Using the GUI, the audiologist may adjust various test tone parameters (e.g., frequency and amplitude) using keyboard 223 or other input device, such as a computer mouse (not shown). The audiologist may, given other information about the lifestyle of user 115, choose to override some of the calculated results. The modified frequency versus amplitude test data is stored on test database 245 and is also transferred from PC 260 to user database 211 on central hearing health computer system 210. This represents a computer-integrated audiometer system 200 capable of communicating with other computer networks and computer databases. With the DSP correction factors from the previous test loaded into programmable real-time DSP 263, the audiologist then conducts a second hearing test, allowing user 115 to respond to tones and/or speech that approximate sounds corrected by the hearing aid device. The audiologist may further adjust the DSP correction factors and retry this test. The final DSP correction factors are stored on test database 245 and then uploaded to central hearing health computer system 210 through PC 260 and network 250 to update the existing information on central database 212 and user database 211. Figure 3 is an illustrative example of an audiometer GUI 300 that appears on the display of monitor 226. Audiometer GUI 300 consists of a GUI frequency adjust 310, a GUI amplitude adjust 315, a GUI masking level adjust 320, a GUI tone presentation button 325, a data display area 305, and a drop-down menu 330. GUI frequency adjust 310 is used to adjust the frequency of the test tone. GUI amplitude adjust 315 is used to adjust the amplitude of the test tone. GUI masking level adjust 320 is used to adjust the masking level of the test tone. GUI tone presentation button 325 is used to present the test tones to user 115. GUI frequency adjust 310, GUI amplitude adjust 315, and GUI masking level adjust 320 are shown as slider adjustments but can also take the form of rotary dials, text boxes, or another GUI input mechanism. Data display area 305 can be a text box or a graph, in which test data is displayed to the audiologist. Drop-down menu 330 consists of programmatic functions, such as a data save function and a data print function. All features of audiometer GUI 300 are activated using keyboard 223 or other input device, such as a computer mouse (not shown). In operation, user 115 wears headphones 120 in sound room 105 and the audiologist conducts a hearing test by operating the control mechanisms displayed in audiometer GUI 300 displayed on monitor 226. The audiologist sets the appropriate values on GUI frequency adjust 310, GUI amplitude adjust 315, and GUI masking level 320. The audiologist transmits test tones to user 115 by activating GUI tone presentation button 325. Software 267 then transmits tone data signals representative of sounds (tones) at various frequencies and amplitudes directly to tone generator 265, which in turn sends the sounds to headphones 120 and, optionally, may send information or questions to monitor 226. The audiologist views test data (e.g., patient data, frequency values, and amplitude values) in data display area 305. The audiologist accesses further programmatic functionality (e.g., save function, print function, import/export function, etc.) by activating drop-down menu 330. Figure 4 illustrates a method 400 of using a standard hearing test using computer-integrated audiometer system 200, including the steps of:

Step 410: Installing audiometer control system In this step, the audiologist installs audiometer control system 261 in PC 260 via a parallel I/O, serial I/O port, or PCMCIA slot. If not done previously, the audiologist installs the hearing test software into the EPROM (not shown) that contains software 267. Step 420: Running standard hearing test In this step, the audiologist, using PC 260 and audiometer GUI 300 connects to central hearing health computer system 210 via network 250. The audiologist uploads any current patient or hearing test information from central database 212 and user database 211 . This information is then loaded and stored on test database 245. With headphones 120 on user 115, the audiologist initiates software 267 using PC 260. The audiologist conducts the hearing test by operating control mechanisms on audiometer GUI 300. Audiometer GUI 300 is used to adjust test tone parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and masking levels. Software 267 transmits tone data signals representative of sounds (tones) at various amplitudes and frequencies directly to tone generator 265, which in turn sends the sounds to headphones 120 and, optionally, may send information or questions to monitor 226. The audiologist looks for interaction from user 1 15, either verbally or via keyboard 223. In addition, user 1 15 can be tested for speech intelligibility, with the program playing pre-defined sentences instead of tones. In this way, the hearing of user 1 15 can be tested. If user 115 has previously taken a low-cost screening test, receiving a diagnostic code from that test, the first request of the program would be for user 1 15 to enter the code corresponding to the previous test using keyboard 223. Step 430: Calibrating audiometer control system In this step, the audiologist calibrates programmable real-time DSP 263 to the specific hearing profile of user 115. This is necessary because the sound transmitted by headphones 120 may differ from the individual's perception of sound transmitted by the actual hearing aid device in the individual's ear canal. To perform this calibration, the audiologist compares the results of the test conducted in step 420 with the norms for a healthy hearing response. This comparison provides the audiologist with DSP correction factors, which are differences in frequency and amplitude ranges that may need more amplification or attenuation for user 115. The DSP correction factors are automatically calculated and presented to the audiologist on monitor 226 for adjustment via audiometer GUI 300. Using audiometer GUI 300, the audiologist adjusts various test tone parameters (e.g., frequency and amplitude) using keyboard 223 or other input device, such as a computer mouse (not shown). The audiologist may, given other information about the lifestyle of user 115, choose to override some of the calculated results. The modified frequency versus amplitude test data is stored on test database 245 and is also transferred from PC 260 to user database 211 on central hearing health computer system 210. With the DSP correction factors from the previous test loaded into programmable real-time DSP 263, the audiologist then conducts a second hearing test, allowing user 115 to respond to tones and/or speech that approximate sounds corrected by the hearing aid device. The audiologist may further adjust the DSP correction factors and retry this test multiple times. Step 440: Storing hearing data to central database In this step, the audiologist, using PC 260 and functions within drop-down menu 330, stores DSP correction factors to test database 245 and then uploads the DSP correction factors to central hearing health computer system 210 via network 250. This newest data then updates the existing patient information on central database 212 and user database 211. In this manner, computer-integrated audiometer system 200, audiometer GUI 300, and method 400 provide an affordable, high-quality computer-integrated audiometer system that operates in conjunction with a personal computer and that can communicate with other computer networks and databases. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An audiometric instrument computer control system comprising: a computer capable of simulating the functioning of a conventional audiometer; at least one personal computer capable of interfacing with the first computer; a central database capable of interfacing with the first computer; wherein the audiometer instrument computer control system has the capability to rapidly and accurately assess hearing health.

2. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a tone generator for producing test tones of various frequencies and amplitudes, a real time signal processor and means for transmitting the generated test tones to an individual being tested.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the test tones are transmitted to the individual being test via a pair of headphones.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein a graphical user interface is associated with the testing software and being displayed on a monitor of the personal computer monitor so that adjustments to the test tones can be made and to enter test data information.

5. The control system of claim 3, wherein the test data can be upload and download from the centralized database via hardware resident on the personal computer and software resident on the control system.

6. An audiometric control system comprising: a programmable digital signal processor ("DSP") coupled to a tone generator and a memory and a controller, wherein the controller includes a network communications interface and an operator input interface.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the memory is utilized to store hearing test software including DSP correction factors received at the network interface of the controller.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the DSP processes digital audio data signal received from the controller based on the hearing test software stored at the memory.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the DSP correction factors stored in the memory can be changed based on test results of a hearing test.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the controller, upon receipt of a predetermined input at the operator interface, causes the DPS in substantially real time to generate and transmit to the tone generator tone data signals modified by the DSP correction factors.

1 1. The control system of claim 10, wherein the operator interface is a GUI,

12. A method for operating an audiometer control system for testing an individual's hearing capability, the method comprising the steps of: providing a programmable digital signal processor ("DSP") coupled to a tone generator, a memory and a controller, wherein the controller includes a network communications interface and an operator input interface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the memory is utilized for storing hearing test software including DSP correction factors and received at the network interface of the controller.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the DSP processes digital audio data signal received from the controller based on the hearing test software stored at the memory,

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the DSP correction factors stored in the memory can be changed based on test results of a hearing test.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the controller, upon receipt of a predetermined input at the operator interface, causes the DPS in substantially real time to generate and transmit to the tone generator tone data signals modified by the DSP correction factors.