US4577641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fitting hearing prosthesis to a patient having impaired hearing
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-06-29
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Granted: 1986-03-25
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Expires: 2003-06-29
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a process of fitting a hearing prosthesis to a deaf or severely hearing impaired patient. The prosthesis is connected to the patient, and a signal is then applied to the prosthesis across an audioband. The frequency response of the prosthesis is adjusted so that the patient detects a desired response to the signal. In one application the prosthesis may include a sound processor driving a transmitter, a transcutaneous receiver, and an implanted electrode. A constant amplitude signal is applied to the sound processor, and the frequency response of the sound processor is adjusted so that the patient detects a generally uniform response to the signal. Other signals can be applied, such as bursts of a sine wave or other periodic wave, and band-filtered noise can be employed with the band center frequency being swept either step-wise or continuously. The transmitter and receiver are first adjusted for normal operating coupling and then a constant amplitude continuous sinusoidal signal, for example, is applied. In a multiple channel system, the signal is applied sequentially to each channel. For each channel, the signal is varied in discrete frequency steps across an audio band, and the frequency response of the transmitter is adjusted so that the patient detects a generally uniform response. The dynamic range is identified at each such frequency step between a threshold level and a discomfort level to establish desired aided thresholds and discomfort levels.
Inventors
- 👤 Ingeborg J. Hochmair
- 👤 Erwin S. Hochmair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/70; A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/04; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36036; A61N1/36038; A61N1/36039; H04R25/50; H04R25/505
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of fitting a hearing prosthesis to a hearing impaired user comprising the steps of connecting said hearing prosthesis to the user, applying a signal to said hearing prosthesis, sweeping said signal in discrete frequency steps, visually displaying said signal as transmitted by said hearing prosthesis for user observation as the frequency thereof is varied, determining user response to said signal at each of said discrete frequency steps as the user observes the visual display, and adjusting frequency response of said hearing prosthesis so that the user detects a desired response to said signal at each frequency step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of fitting a hearing prosthesis to a hearing impaired user comprising the steps of connecting said hearing prosthesis to the user, applying a signal to said hearing prosthesis, sweeping said signal in discrete frequency steps, visually displaying said signal as transmitted by said hearing prosthesis for user observation as the frequency thereof is varied, determining user response to said signal at each of said discrete frequency steps as the user observes the visual display, and adjusting frequency response of said hearing prosthesis so that the user detects a desired response to said signal at each frequency step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said signal is a sinusoidal wave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said signal is continuous and has a constant average amplitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined by claim 1 and further including the steps of adjusting compression characteristics of said hearing prosthesis at said frequency steps to establish desired aided thresholds and discomfort levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined by claim 4 wherein said hearing prosthesis comprises a sound processor driving an implanted electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined by claim 5 wherein said hearing prosthesis comprises a multichannel sound processor driving an implanted electrode, and said steps are carried out for each channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said hearing prosthesis comprises a sound processor driving an implanted electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined by claim 7 wherein said hearing prosthesis comprises a multichannel sound processor driving an implanted electrode, and said steps are carried out for each channel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of fitting a sound processor driving a transmitter, a transcutaneous receiver, and implanted electrode means to a user having severe hearing impairment comprising the steps of connecting said sound processor to a user through said transcutaneous receiver and implanted electrode means, adjusting said transmitter and said receiver for normal operating coupling, applying a signal to said sound processor whose frequency is swept across an audio band, visually displaying said signal as transmitted by said transmitter for user observation as the frequency thereof is varied, determining user response to said signal as the user observes the visual display, and adjusting the frequency response of said sound processor so that the patient detects a desired response to said signal across said audio band.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of fitting a sound processor driving a transmitter, a transcutaneous receiver, and implanted electrode means to a user having severe hearing impairment comprising the steps of connecting said sound processor to a user through said transcutaneous receiver and implanted electrode means, adjusting said transmitter and said receiver for normal operating coupling, applying a signal to said sound processor whose frequency is swept across an audio band, visually displaying said signal as transmitted by said transmitter for user observation as the frequency thereof is varied, determining user response to said signal as the user observes the visual display, and adjusting the frequency response of said sound processor so that the patient detects a desired response to said signal across said audio band.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined by claim 9 wherein said signal is a continuous sinusoidal wave.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined by claim 9 and further including the step of adjusting compression characteristics of said sound processor at a plurality of frequencies to establish desired aided thresholds and discomfort levels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined by claim 11 wherein said transmitter and said receiver have multiple channels, and said steps are carried out for each channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined by claim 9 wherein said transmitter and said receiver have multiple channels, and said steps are carried out for each channel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of checking a hearing prosthesis comprising the steps of connecting said hearing prosthesis to the user, applying a signal to said hearing prosthesis whose frequency is swept across an audio band in discrete frequency steps, visually displaying said signal as transmitted by said hearing prosthesis for user observation as the frequency thereof is varied, and determining user response to said signal as the user observes the visual display.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of checking a hearing prosthesis comprising the steps of connecting said hearing prosthesis to the user, applying a signal to said hearing prosthesis whose frequency is swept across an audio band in discrete frequency steps, visually displaying said signal as transmitted by said hearing prosthesis for user observation as the frequency thereof is varied, and determining user response to said signal as the user observes the visual display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined by claim 14 wherein said signal is a sinusoidal wave.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined by claim 15 wherein said signal is continuous and has a constant average amplitude.
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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) | 1989-03-24 | 1989-09-23 | 1990-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-09-23 | 1994-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-24 | 1997-09-23 | 1998-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |