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.

1 . A multi-function auditory screening device, comprising: 
 a portable hand-held enclosure;    a signal processor housed by said enclosure, said processor having a computer program operated on command by a user, said program configured to produce an auditory brainstem response test and at least at least one additional auditory test selected from a group comprising an otoacoustic auditory emission test, a tympanometry test, and an otoreflectance test for a test subject;    a display device mounted to said enclosure, said display device being operatively connected to said signal processor, said display device displaying result from a selected auditory test;    a probe connection point on said enclosure, said probe connection point being operatively connected to said signal processor to communicate signals associated with a selected auditory test between said signal processor and at least one auditory probe; and    a power supply enclosed within sad enclosure for operating said signal processor.    
   
   
       2 . The screening device of  claim 1  further including a plurality of electrodes for collecting data from a patient, each of said electrodes operatively connected to said signal processor to deliver signals representative of at least one test subject response to said signal processor.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  further including a tympanometry interface operatively connected to said signal processor, said tympanometry interface configured to measure middle ear pressure on a test subject and to adjusting minor middle ear conditions during otoacoustic auditory emission and auditory brainstem response testing.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  further including an otoacoustic emission interface operatively connected to said signal processor, said otoacoustic emission interface configured to acquire otoreflectance measurements of a test subject middle ear condition.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  further including an otoacoustic auditory emission simulator interface operatively connected to said signal processor, said otoacoustic auditory emission simulator configured for integrity testing said otoacoustic auditory emission interface.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  further including a memory mapped input/output device operatively connected to said memory module and to said signal processor, said display device being operatively connected to said signal processor through said memory mapped device.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  further including a keyboard, said keyboard being operatively connected to said signal processor through said memory mapped device.  
   
   
       8 . A multi-function auditory screening device comprising: 
 a hand-held enclosure;    a signal processor within said enclosure;    a memory module within said enclosure operatively connected to said signal processor;    a display screen mounted to said enclosure, said display screen being operatively connected to said signal processor;    a computer program at least partial contained in said signal processor, said computer program being accessible by a user to operate said signal processor to perform an otoacoustic emission test and an auditory brainstem response test on a test subject.    
   
   
       9 . The screening device of  claim 8  further including a keyboard for accessing said computer program.