Patent US3848091A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3848091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of fitting a prosthetic device for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in aurally handicapped persons
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-12
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1993-04-12
Abstract
Abstract The method of fitting a prosthetic device for providing compensatory amplification for aurally handicapped persons. The method includes the steps of determining absolute threshold information and tone discomfort information and coupling the subject to a master hearing aid which includes a filter network selected to be in the general range of the acuity deficiency as determined by the above information. Then, forced-choice pairedcomparison techniques, using continuous discourse, gives the required information for selecting the appropriate filter, filter gain and flat gain parameters to be used as a single filter network in a prosthetic device.
Inventors
- 👤 W Stearns
- 👤 B Elpern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/70; H03; H03G; H03G9/00; H03G9/02; H03G9/025; H04R25/50; H04R25/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of fitting a prosthetic device having a single filter and a flat gain control by-passing said filter for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in an aurally handicapped subject comprising the steps of: 1. determining absolute threshold information over a predetermined audio range for a pure tone as a function of frequency; 2. determining information over a predetermined audio range for tone discomfort level of a pure tone as a function of frequency; 3. providing the subject with an output from a master prosthetic device including a general filter network over a general range of acuity deficiency of the subject as determined by the results of step 1 and step 2, said general filter network including a plurality of individual filter networks; 4. providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse between discourse at the output of the master device when the master device is set at different individual filter networks; 5. determining the best individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to the results of step 4, and 6. choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of fitting a prosthetic device having a single filter and a flat gain control by-passing said filter for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in an aurally handicapped subject comprising the steps of: 1. determining absolute threshold information over a predetermined audio range for a pure tone as a function of frequency; 2. determining information over a predetermined audio range for tone discomfort level of a pure tone as a function of frequency; 3. providing the subject with an output from a master prosthetic device including a general filter network over a general range of acuity deficiency of the subject as determined by the results of step 1 and step 2, said general filter network including a plurality of individual filter networks; 4. providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse between discourse at the output of the master device when the master device is set at different individual filter networks; 5. determining the best individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to the results of step 4, and 6. choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
determining information over a predetermined audio range for tone discomfort level of a pure tone as a function of frequency;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
determining information over a predetermined audio range for tone discomfort level of a pure tone as a function of frequency;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
pulsating the signal at two pulses per second thereby forming a test stimulus;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
pulsating the signal at two pulses per second thereby forming a test stimulus;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein step 1 further comprises the steps of: a. generating a signal of gradually increasing frequency from 200 Hz to 10,000 Hz of a pure tone; b. pulsating the signal at at a comfortable number of pulses per second thereby forming a test stimulus; and c. controlling the intensity of the tone of the test stimulus to achieve absolute threshold information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse, between discourse at the output of the master device set at a first individual filter network and subsequently set at another individual filter network;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse, between discourse at the output of the master device set at a first individual filter network and subsequently set at another individual filter network;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
causing the tone intensity to decrease to an approximate inaudible level;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
causing the tone intensity to decrease to an approximate inaudible level;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as in claim 2 wherein step (c) further iNcludes the steps of: aa. causing the tone intensity to decrease to an approximate inaudible level; bb. causing the tone intensity to increase to an approximate barely audible level; and cc. repeating steps (aa) and (bb) continuously as the tone frequency gradually increases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
providing the subject with an output from a master prosthetic device including a general filter network over a general range of acuity deficiency of the subject as determined by the results of step 1 and step 2, said general filter network including a plurality of individual filter networks;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
providing the subject with an output from a master prosthetic device including a general filter network over a general range of acuity deficiency of the subject as determined by the results of step 1 and step 2, said general filter network including a plurality of individual filter networks;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
determinding the individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to step 2, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
determinding the individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to step 2, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse between discourse at the output of the master device when the master device is set at different individual filter networks;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse between discourse at the output of the master device when the master device is set at different individual filter networks;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
causing the tone intensity to increase to an approximate barely audible level;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
causing the tone intensity to increase to an approximate barely audible level;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein step 2 further includes the steps of: a. generating a signal of gradually increasing frequency from 200 Hz to 10,000 Hz of a pure tone; b. pulsating the signal at 2 to 10 pulses per second thereby forming a test stimulus; c. controlling the intensity of the tone of the test stimulus to achieve auditory discomfort information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as in claim 4 wherein step (c) further includes the steps of: aa. causing the tone intensity to increase to a level of distinct discomfort; bb. causing the tone intensity to decrease to a tolerable level; cc. repeating steps (aa) and (bb) continuously as the tone frequency gradually increases.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
determining the best individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to the results of step 4, and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
determining the best individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to the results of step 4, and
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
repeating steps 3 and 4 continuously as the tone frequency gradually increases;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
repeating steps 3 and 4 continuously as the tone frequency gradually increases;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
generating a signal of gradually increasing frequency from 200 Hz to 10,000 Hz of a pure tone;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
generating a signal of gradually increasing frequency from 200 Hz to 10,000 Hz of a pure tone;
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
administering at a conversational loudness level a recorded formalized word test.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
administering at a conversational loudness level a recorded formalized word test.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of fitting a prosthetic device having a single filter and a flat gain control by-passing said filter for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in an aurally handicapped subject comprising the steps of:
Claim 36
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of fitting a prosthetic device having a single filter and a flat gain control by-passing said filter for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in an aurally handicapped subject comprising the steps of:
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
pulsating the signal at 2 to 10 pulses per second thereby forming a test stimulus;
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
pulsating the signal at 2 to 10 pulses per second thereby forming a test stimulus;
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein step 1 includes the step of recording the absolute threshold information for the pure tone as a function of frequency.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein step 2 includes the step of recording the auditory discomfort information for a pure tone intensity as a function of frequency.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
causing the tone intensity to increase to a level of distinct discomfort;
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
causing the tone intensity to increase to a level of distinct discomfort;
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
10 words
causing the tone intensity to decrease to a tolerable level;
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
10 words
causing the tone intensity to decrease to a tolerable level;
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein step 1 includes the step of recording absolute threshold information for a pure tone as a function of frequency and step 2 includes recording auditory discomfort information for pure tone as a function of frequency.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein the following step is added;
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
11 words
repeating steps 8 and 9 continuously as the tone gradually increases;
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
11 words
repeating steps 8 and 9 continuously as the tone gradually increases;
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
providing the subject with an output from a master prosthetic device including a general filter network over a general range of acuity deficiency of the subject as determined by the results of the above steps, said general filter network comprising a plurality of individual filter network;
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
providing the subject with an output from a master prosthetic device including a general filter network over a general range of acuity deficiency of the subject as determined by the results of the above steps, said general filter network comprising a plurality of individual filter network;
Claim 51
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of fitting a prosthetic device having a single filter and a flat gain control by-passing said filter for providing corrections of auditory deficiencIes in an aurally handicapped subject, the method comprising the steps of:
Claim 52
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of fitting a prosthetic device having a single filter and a flat gain control by-passing said filter for providing corrections of auditory deficiencIes in an aurally handicapped subject, the method comprising the steps of:
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse, between discourse at the output of the master device when the master device is set at different individual filter networks;
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
providing the subject with a choice as to the better perception of continuous discourse, between discourse at the output of the master device when the master device is set at different individual filter networks;
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 wherein step 3 further includes the step of determining the best combination of individual filter networks to provide correction of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
determining the best individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to the results of step 12; and
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
determining the best individual filter network to provide corrections of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject in response to the results of step 12; and
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 12 wherein step 2 further includes the step of continuously providing the subject with choices between discourse at the output of the master device set alternatively to pairs of individual filter networks until the best individual filter network is determined.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 wherein step 3 further includes the step of determining the best combination of individual filter networks to provide correction of auditory deficiencies in the aurally handicapped subject.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
choosing the prosthetic device having a single filter with the said characteristics of said individual filter network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |