Calibrated digital headset and audiometric test methods therewith

Abstract

A digital headset system for use in audiometric testing. The headset system includes a stored calibration reference relating the exact frequency and volume response of each speaker to analog input signals. A microprocessor accesses the calibration reference to determine the required analog signal needed to produce the desired sound. An on-board digital to analog converter generates the required analog signal and transmits it to the speaker. The headset is used with software based audiometric test methods that allow the generation of an electronic user hearing profile. The user hearing profile may be used to re-program an audio emitting device to function in a customized manner. The user hearing profile may be overlaid on a partner hearing profile in order to emulate for the partner how sounds are perceived by the user. The test methods may be self-administered or administered by a healthcare professional.

1 . A method of audiometric testing using a calibrated digital headset system, the method comprising:
 providing a calibrated digital headset system comprising:
 at least one speaker; 
 a digital data interface for connection with a computer; 
 an electronic memory module for storing a unique calibration reference relating to the speaker; 
 a microprocessor for processing digital data corresponding to a desired sound output, the microprocessor able to electronically access the calibration reference to determine the required analog signal to be delivered to the speaker in order to emit the desired sound output; and, 
 a digital to analog converter for delivering the required analog signal to the speaker; 
   interconnecting the digital data interface with the computer;   administering a software generated audiometric test using the headset, the test comprising the emission of a first set of sound outputs having pre-specified frequency and/or volume characteristics;   receiving into the computer user feedback concerning the audibility of the first set of sound outputs; and,   generating using the computer a user hearing profile based upon the results of one or more audiometric tests.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 administering a follow-up audiometric test using the headset system, the follow-up audiometric test comprising the emission of a second set of sound outputs having frequency and/or volume characteristics selected by the computer to further characterize a region of hearing loss within the user hearing profile;   receiving into the computer user feedback concerning the audibility of the second set of sound outputs; and,   refining with the computer the user hearing profile based upon the results of one or more follow-up audiometric tests.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second set of sound outputs comprises a plurality of discrete frequencies selected from between the frequencies employed in the first set of sound outputs. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises re-programming the digital headset system using the user hearing profile to function as a customized headset by:
 analyzing the user hearing profile with the computer to determine at least one region of hearing loss;   determining using the computer the required amplification of frequencies within the region of hearing loss;   uploading the required amplification to the headset using the digital data interface; and,   electronically storing the required amplification on the digital headset in a data format accessible by the microprocessor.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises re-programming an audio emitting digital device using the user hearing profile to function as a customized audio emitting digital device by:
 analyzing the user hearing profile with the computer to determine at least one region of hearing loss;   determining using the computer the required amplification of frequencies within the region of hearing loss;   uploading the required amplification to the audio emitting digital device; and,   electronically storing the required amplification on the audio emitting digital device in a data format accessible by audio processing circuitry of the device.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 analyzing the user hearing profile with the computer to determine at least one region of hearing loss   comparing the user hearing profile with a previously determined partner hearing profile using the computer;   for the partner hearing profile, determining using the computer the required amplification or deamplification of frequencies within the region of hearing loss in order to match the partner hearing profile with the user hearing profile; and,   using the digital headset system, emitting a series of sounds modified by the required amplification or deamplification in order to audibly emulate for the partner how those sounds are perceived by the user.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing a microphone interconnected with an ND converter for digitally delivering sound information to the computer;   digitally recording speaker outputs using the microphone; and,   comparing the digitally recorded outputs with a baseline to determine the need for re-calibration of the headset system.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises obtaining a digital correction from the comparison conducted in step h) and applying the digital correction within the computer or the headset to counteract the need for headset system re-calibration. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises generating a visual representation of the user hearing profile. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises uploading the user hearing profile to a central server. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises uploading the user hearing profile to a central server accessible to a hearing aid manufacturer and electronically ordering a customized hearing aid device based upon the user hearing profile. 
     
     
         12 . A method of modulating the audio output of an audio emitting device using a user hearing profile, the method comprising:
 analyzing the user hearing profile with the audio emitting device to determine at least one region of hearing loss;   determining using a microprocessor the required amplification of frequencies within the region of hearing loss; and,   applying the required amplification to audio outputs of the audio emitting device.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the microprocessor is within the audio emitting device. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the microprocessor is within a computer separate from the audio emitting device. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 uploading the required amplification to the audio emitting digital device;   electronically storing the required amplification on the audio emitting digital device in a data format accessible by audio processing circuitry of the device; and,   applying the required amplification to audio outputs of the audio emitting device using the audio processing circuitry of the device.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises:
 uploading the required amplification to a server on an audio transmission network;   relating the required amplification to a personal identifier that can be received by the server; and,   applying the required amplification to signals transmitted over the network to a user providing the personal identifier.