Method to estimate the sound pressure level at eardrum using measurements away from the eardrum

Abstract

A method for measuring sound pressure at a tympanic membrane of a wearer's ear including a high frequency range with a hearing assistance device. The hearing assistance device comprises a processor connected to a sensor in the ear canal. The device provides a measure of the sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane of the wearer using a null frequency and a null Q measured at a distant position away from the tympanic membrane. The method does not require a precise knowledge of the ear canal, nor does it require an elaborate calibration step. In various embodiments, the present approach works at low and high frequencies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for measuring an estimated sound pressure level at a tympanic membrane in an ear canal of an ear of a wearer of a hearing assistance device using measurements away from the tympanic membrane, the method comprising:
 placing a sound sampling apparatus in the ear canal at a first position;   placing a sound emitter in the ear canal at a second position;   generating sound with the sound emitter and receiving sound with the sound sampling apparatus to measure an amplitude response of the ear canal; and   determining the estimated sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane using measurements of sound from the sound sampling apparatus and the measured amplitude response.