EP0381608A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the fitting of a hearing aid, and associated probe
Assignee: GN Danavox AS
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Filing: 1990-01-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-01-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to the measuring of sound pressure levels in the auditory canal of a person in connection with the fitting of a hearing aid. An apparatus for this purpose comprises a measuring probe (1) which is introduced into the auditory canal, a microphone (6) coupled to the measuring probe (1), a data processing unit (14) with display (15) and printer (15′), a reference microphone (8) and a source of sound (10). In order to be able to position the measuring probe (1) precisely in the auditory canal, the probe is configured with means for measuring the distance from the free end of the probe to the ear drum.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan Northeved
- 👤 Torsten Johnsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/70; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; A61B5/121; H04R25/50; H04R25/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
Method for the fitting of a hearing aid to an ear, whereby: 1) an acoustic signal in the audible range is applied to the ear, 2) the sound pressure at the inlet to the outer ear is measured, the result of said measurement being used for adjusting the amplitude of the applied acoustic signal, 3) the sound pressure is measured at a position in the vicinity of the ear drum using a measuring probe, e.g. a tube inserted in the auditory canal, and with open ear, 4) the sound pressure is measured at the same position in the vicinity of the ear drum and with the same measuring probe, but with a hearing aid or a hearing aid sounding body placed correctly in the ear, 5) the sound pressures measured under point 3) and 4) are fed to an electronic circuit for the formation of the difference between the sound pressure measured with hearing aid or sounding body and the sound pressure measured without hearing aid, said difference being used for the adjustment of the hearing aid, characterized in that the measuring probe, at the end which is arranged to be positioned in the vicinity of the ear drum, comprises means for the measurement of the distance between the probe and the ear drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
Method for the fitting of a hearing aid to an ear, whereby: 1) an acoustic signal in the audible range is applied to the ear, 2) the sound pressure at the inlet to the outer ear is measured, the result of said measurement being used for adjusting the amplitude of the applied acoustic signal, 3) the sound pressure is measured at a position in the vicinity of the ear drum using a measuring probe, e.g. a tube inserted in the auditory canal, and with open ear, 4) the sound pressure is measured at the same position in the vicinity of the ear drum and with the same measuring probe, but with a hearing aid or a hearing aid sounding body placed correctly in the ear, 5) the sound pressures measured under point 3) and 4) are fed to an electronic circuit for the formation of the difference between the sound pressure measured with hearing aid or sounding body and the sound pressure measured without hearing aid, said difference being used for the adjustment of the hearing aid, characterized in that the measuring probe, at the end which is arranged to be positioned in the vicinity of the ear drum, comprises means for the measurement of the distance between the probe and the ear drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance measurement is carried out by the emission of sound waves or electromagnetic waves and a measurement of the reflections from the ear drum, said measurements being fed to a measuring circuit for the calculation of distance, in that the measuring circuit comprises display- or signal-elements for the distance measurement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the distance measurement is carried out by the emission of light and the receiving of reflected light, preferably pulse-modulated light, in that the distance measurement is effected by the scanning of the time difference between the emission and receiving of a light pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the distance measurement is carried out by the emission of sound in the inaudible range, e.g. ultrasonic, where the sound is emitted as sound pulses, in that the distance measurement is effected by the scanning of the time difference between the emission and the receiving of a sound pulse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring means are arranged in such a way that they measure substantially in the axial direction of the probe, and not to any considerable degree outside the extension of the probe's outer periphery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for use in the fitting of a hearing aid and comprising: 1) a signal source (10) arranged to emit an acoustic signal in the audible frequency range, 2) a reference microphone (8) for the measuring of the sound pressure created by the signal source at the inlet to the user's ear, and with means (14) for the regulation of the strength of the signal source, 3) a measuring probe (1), e.g. a tube inserted in the auditory canal, with microphone and possible amplifier (6) for the measurement of the sound pressure in the vicinity of the ear drum (3), 4) a data processing unit (14), possibly with display (15) and printer (15′) for the formation and display of the measured sound pressure levels, characterized in that the measuring probe (1), at the end which is arranged to be positioned in the vicinity of the ear drum (3), comprises means (21, 29) for the measurement of the distance between the probe and the ear drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for use in the fitting of a hearing aid and comprising: 1) a signal source (10) arranged to emit an acoustic signal in the audible frequency range, 2) a reference microphone (8) for the measuring of the sound pressure created by the signal source at the inlet to the user's ear, and with means (14) for the regulation of the strength of the signal source, 3) a measuring probe (1), e.g. a tube inserted in the auditory canal, with microphone and possible amplifier (6) for the measurement of the sound pressure in the vicinity of the ear drum (3), 4) a data processing unit (14), possibly with display (15) and printer (15′) for the formation and display of the measured sound pressure levels, characterized in that the measuring probe (1), at the end which is arranged to be positioned in the vicinity of the ear drum (3), comprises means (21, 29) for the measurement of the distance between the probe and the ear drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the means comprise an electron ic measuring circuit (29) with a generator for sound waves or electromagnetic waves, preferably pulse modulated waves, means (21, 33) for conducting the waves forwards to the measuring probe's one end, and means for conducting the reflected waves to a measuring circuit (29) for the calculation of the time difference between the emission and receipt of a pulse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the generator is arranged to produce light, and in that the means for conducting the light to and from the probe are elongated light conductors (21) which are secured to at least one end of the probe, or are disposed inside the wall (22, 25, 26) of the probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the light conductors, at the free end of the probe, are configured or secured in such a manner that one light conductor throws light forwards (20) in the probe's axial direction, and not substantially outside the extension of the outer periphery of the probe, and that the other light conductor is directed substantially in the same direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the electronic measuring circuit (29) comprises means (30, 31) for producing signals when the probe (1) is at a certain distance from the ear drum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, char acterized in that the electronic measuring circuit (29) comprises a calibration element (34, 35) for the adjustment of the measuring accuracy of the distance measurement elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
Probe for apparatus for use in the fitting of a hearing aid during the measurement of the sound pressure levels in the auditory canal of a person, characterized in that it comprises at least one tube (22, 25, 26) and means (21) for conducting distance measurement signals from an electronic measuring circuit (29) to the tube's free end and reflected signals in the opposite direction, in that both the tube and the means, at that end which is opposite the tube's free end, are secured in a plug element or in a holder (36) which is arranged to be coupled to the measuring circuit (29) as a replaceable unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
Probe for apparatus for use in the fitting of a hearing aid during the measurement of the sound pressure levels in the auditory canal of a person, characterized in that it comprises at least one tube (22, 25, 26) and means (21) for conducting distance measurement signals from an electronic measuring circuit (29) to the tube's free end and reflected signals in the opposite direction, in that both the tube and the means, at that end which is opposite the tube's free end, are secured in a plug element or in a holder (36) which is arranged to be coupled to the measuring circuit (29) as a replaceable unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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