Handheld audiometric device and method for hearing testing

Abstract

A handheld apparatus and method for comprehensive hearing testing with pass / refer results applicable for large scale neonatal screening, adult screening, or full hearing diagnostic. The apparatus contains a signal processor, integral ear probe, and remote ear and scalp probes all packaged as a single handheld battery operated device. The apparatus preferably performs a range of tests, either independently or combined: otoacoustic measurements utilizing a novel digital signal processing method for evoked otoacoustic signal processing, auditory brain stem response test, tympanometry, and otoreflectance. Algorithms for automatic test sequence, and pass / refer indication for the tests are provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present invention is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 019,451 filed on Dec. 27, 2001, from which priority is claimed, and which is herein incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention is related generally to the field of auditory measurement devices and associated screening methods, and in particular, to a hand-held auditory measurement device having features beneficial to neonatal screening programs. While the invention is described with particular emphasis to its auditory screening applications, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider applicability of the inventive principles disclosed hereinafter. [0004] Universal neonatal auditory screening programs have expanded greatly because of improved auditory measurement capability, improved rehabilitation strategies, increased awareness of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Briefly stated, the present invention provides an effective auditory screening method and device are provided. The integration of an OAE screening device and ABR screening device into a single, hand-held instrument enables a user to detect less common sensorineural hearing loss associated with outer hair cell abnormalities and the detection of less common sensor hearing loss associated with inner hair cell abnormalities. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a portable hand-held enclosure containing a digital signal processor. The processor has a computer program associated with it, capable of conducting both otoacoustic emission test procedures and auditory brainstem response test procedures for a test subject. A display device is mounted to the enclosure, and displays patient information, test setup procedure, and test results including graphing of test results. The enclosure includes a connection point for a probe, the connection point being operatively connected to the signal processor. The device also includes an onboard power supply, making the device completely self contained.

Problems solved by technology

Current neonatal auditory screening approaches, however, do not account adequately for the many different types and degrees of auditory abnormalities that are encountered with present screening approaches.

Because of this, individual screening tests based on a single measurement can be influenced negatively by interaction among various independent auditory abnormalities.

Current screening approaches have not considered adequately the entire screening program including (1) physical characteristics of the measurement device i.e., portability, physical size and ease of use, (ii) operational characteristics of the device i.e., battery life, amount of record storage, required operating training, etc. and / or (iii) program logistics i.e., retesting mechanisms, referral mechanisms, record processing, patient tracking, report writing, and other practical aspects.

These factors can interact negatively to increase the total cost of an auditory screening program, including the primary economic cost of screening, testing, the secondary economic cost of additional testing, and non-economic costs such as parental anxiety incurred when provided with incorrect information.

Prior art physical and operational characteristics of devices and their influences on program logistics can interact negatively to increase the total cost of an auditory screening program.

The primary economic cost is the cost of each screening test though this is not the only economic cost.

A screening test failure is called a “refer” and usually is resolved with an expensive full diagnostic test scheduled several weeks after hospital discharge, resulting in significant economic cost.

A substantial portion of these costs is unnecessary if the screening false positive rate is high.

Non economic costs include parental anxiety for false positive screening results, unfavorable professional perception of program effectiveness for programs with high false positive rates and even inappropriate professional intervention because of misleading screening results.

In no way does the disclosure of either patent provide a hand-held device that can be used independently of any other computer.

While such method works well for its intended purposes, use of a linear averaging method is time consuming.

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