DETERMINATION OF COCHLEAR HYDROPS BASED ON RECORDED AUDITORY ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES

Abstract

The present application relates to a system for diagnosing cochlear hydrops of a person or an animal. The system comprises an acoustic stimulus generating unit comprising a stimulus generator and an output transducer, where the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide an audio stimulus by the stimulus generator to at least one of the ears of the person or animal via the output transducer, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide a plurality of audio stimuli comprising at least a first click audio stimulus and a first chirp audio stimulus or at least a first and a second chirp audio stimuli, a recording unit configured to record one or more auditory electrophysiological response of the person or animal in response to the one or more audio stimulus being provided by the acoustic stimulus generating unit to at least one of the ears of the person or animal, and a diagnostic unit configured to process the recorded ABR.

Claims

1. System for diagnosing cochlear hydrops of a person or an animal, the system comprising an acoustic stimulus generating unit comprising a stimulus generator and an output transducer, where the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide an audio stimulus by the stimulus generator to at least one of the ears of the person or animal via the output transducer, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide a plurality of audio stimuli comprising at least a first click audio stimulus and a first chirp audio stimulus or at least a first and a second chirp audio stimuli, a recording unit configured to record one or more auditory electrophysiological responses of the person or animal in response to the one or more audio stimuli being provided by the acoustic stimulus generating unit to at least one of the ears of the person or animal, and a diagnostic unit configured to process the recorded auditory electrophysiological responses.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit being configured to process the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses, comprises the diagnostic unit being configured to compare response characteristics of the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses based on the at least first click audio stimulus and at least first chirp audio stimulus, or based on the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the diagnostic unit being configured to compare, comprises the diagnostic unit being configured to determine a ratio between the respective response characteristics of the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses based on the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus, or based on the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus or the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli at a fixed suprathreshold level.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein the at least first click audio stimulus and/or the at least first chirp audio stimulus, or the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli are frequency shaped based on a hearing threshold level (HU) of the person or animal.

6. System according to claim 5, wherein the at least first click audio stimulus aid/or the at least first chirp audio stimulus, or the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli are provided at a fixed sensation level (SL) above the HTL of the person or animal across the stimulus frequency range.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide a plurality of click audio stimuli and/or chirp audio stimuli in an alternating manner to at least one of the ears of the person or animal .

8. System according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide a plurality of click audio stimuli and/or chirp audio stimuli at a plurality of sound pressure levels to at least one of the ears of the person or animal.

9. System according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit is configured to provide respective averages of the response characteristics of the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses based on the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus, respectively, or based on the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli, respectively.

10. System according to claim 1, wherein the response characteristics comprises a wave V amplitude of the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses.

11. System according to claim 1, wherein the one or more auditory electrophysiological responses is one or more auditory brain-stem responses.

12. Method of recording an auditory electrophysiological response of a person or animal, the method comprising providing an audio stimulus comprising at least a first click audio stimulus and a first chirp audio stimulus, or at least a first and second chirp audio stimuli by a stimulus generator of an acoustic stimulus generating unit to at least one of the ears of the person or animal via an output transducer of the acoustic stimulus generating unit, recording one or more auditory electrophysiological responses of the person or animal, by a recording unit, in response to the one or more audio stimuli being provided by the acoustic stimulus generating unit to at least one of the ears of the person or animal, and processing the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses, by a diagnostic unit, based on the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus, or based on the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises measuring a hearing threshold level (HTL) of at least one of the ears of the person or animal.

14. Method according to claim 12, wherein processing the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses, comprises comparing response characteristics of the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses based on the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus, or based on the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein comparing, comprises determining a ratio between the respective response characteristics of the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses based on the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus, or based on the at least first and second chirp audio stimulus.

16. Method according to claim 12, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit provides a plurality of click audio stimuli and/or chirp audio stimuli in an alternating manner to at least one of the ears of the person or animal.

17. Method according to claim 12, wherein the audio stimulus having a specified frequency bandwidth, presentation rate, amplitude, and spectral content.

18. System according to claim 2, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus or the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli at a fixed suprathreshold level.

19. System according to claim 3, wherein the acoustic stimulus generating unit is configured to provide the at least first click audio stimulus and first chirp audio stimulus or the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli at a fixed suprathreshold level.

20. System according to claim 2, wherein the at least first click audio stimulus and/or the at least first chirp audio stimulus, or the at least first and second chirp audio stimuli are frequency shaped based on a hearing threshold level (HTL) of the person or animal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0161] The aspects of the disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details to improve the understanding of the claims, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effect will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described hereinafter in which:

[0162] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary application scenario of a system according to the present disclosure,

[0163] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary click and chirp audio stimulus according to the present disclosure, and

[0164] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method of recording an auditory electrophysiological response of a person or an animal.

[0165] The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the disclosure, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference signs are used for identical or corresponding parts.

[0166] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only. Other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0167] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the system and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Depending upon particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.

[0168] The electronic hardware may include micro-electronic-mechanical systems (MEMS), integrated circuits (e.g. application specific), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCB) (e.g. flexible PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure, e.g. sensors, e.g. for sensing and/or registering physical properties of the environment, the device, the user, etc. Computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0169] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary application scenario of a system according to the present disclosure.

[0170] In FIG. 1, a system 1 for diagnosing cochlear hydrops of a person 2 is shown.

[0171] The system 1 may comprise an acoustic stimulus generating unit. The acoustic stimulus generating unit may be configured to provide an audio stimulus to at least one of the ears of the person 2. In FIG. 1, it is shown that the audio stimulus may be provided to both a first ear 3 and a second ear 4 of the person 2.

[0172] The acoustic stimulus generating unit may comprise a stimulus generator 5. The stimulus generator 5 may provide the audio stimulus.

[0173] The acoustic stimulus generating unit may comprise an ear-contacting part 6 and an output transducer 7. Instead, the acoustic stimulus generating unit may comprise a loudspeaker or a headset. The output transducer 7 may be arranged in the ear-contacting part 6. The ear-contacting part 6 may have an outer surface with a shape configured to fit the surface of the ear canal of the person 2. The ear-contacting part 6 may comprise a flexible material so that the ear-contacting part 6 may fit closely into the ear canal of the person 2.

[0174] The acoustic stimulus generating unit may provide an audio stimulus by the stimulus generator 5 to the first ear 3 and/or the second ear 4 of the person 2 via the output transducer 7 arranged in the ear-contacting part 6.

[0175] In FIG. 1, the stimulus generator 5 may be connected (e.g. operationally connected) to the output transducer 7 through a wired connection, e.g. a first wired connection 8 and a second wired connection 9. Alternatively, the stimulus generator 5 may be connected to the output transducer 7 through a wireless connection.

[0176] The stimulus generator 5 of the acoustic stimulus generating unit may be configured to provide a plurality of audio stimuli to the first ear 3 and/or the second ear 4 of the person 2, e.g. in an alternating manner. The plurality of audio stimuli may comprise at least one click audio stimulus and at least one chirp audio stimulus. Alternatively, the plurality of audio stimuli may comprise at least a first chirp audio stimulus and at least a second chirp audio stimulus.

[0177] The system 1 may comprise a recording unit 10. The recording unit 10 may be configured to record one or more auditory electrophysiological responses (e.g. an ABR) of the person 2 in response to the audio stimulus, or plurality of audio stimuli, being provided by the acoustic stimulus generating unit to at least one of the ears of the person 2. The recording of auditory electrophysiological response may be carried out automatically by the recording unit 10 and/or manually by a second person operating the system on the person 2.

[0178] The system 1 may comprise a diagnostic unit 11. The diagnostic unit 11 may be configured to process the recorded auditory electrophysiological responses. The diagnostic unit 11 may be configured to provide a diagnosis of cochlear hydrops of the person 2 based on the at least one click audio stimulus and at least one chirp audio stimulus, or based on the at least first chirp audio stimulus and at least second chirp audio stimulus, provided by the stimulus generator 5 to the first ear 3 and/or the second ear 4 of the person 2.

[0179] In FIG. 1, it is shown that the stimulus generator 5, the recording unit 10, and the diagnostic unit 11 may be arranged in the same apparatus 12, whereby generating the audio stimulus, measuring the resulting auditory electrophysiological responses, and diagnosing cochlear hydrops may be carried out with use of one apparatus 12. Thereby, a faster and easier diagnosis of cochlear hydrops may be provided.

[0180] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary click and chirp audio stimulus according to the present disclosure.

[0181] In FIG. 2, the top graph shows a chirp audio stimulus waveform, e.g. a CE-chirp audio stimulus. The amplitude of the chirp audio stimulus is shown as function of time in milliseconds.

[0182] In FIG. 2, the lower graph shows a click audio stimulus waveform. The amplitude of the click audio stimulus is shown as function of time in milliseconds.

[0183] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method of recording one or more auditory electrophysiological response of a person or an animal.

[0184] In FIG. 3, the method of recording auditory electrophysiological responses of a person or an animal may be recorded in response to providing at least one audio stimulus to at least one of the ears of the person or animal.

[0185] The method may comprise providing an audio stimulus S1.

[0186] The audio stimulus may comprise at least one click audio stimulus and at least one chirp audio stimulus, or may comprise at least a first chirp audio stimulus and at least a second chirp audio stimulus. The audio stimuli may be provided by a stimulus generator of an acoustic stimulus generating unit. The audio stimuli may be provided to at least one of the ears (e.g. to both) of the person or animal via an output transducer of the acoustic stimulus generating unit.

[0187] The method may comprise recording one or more auditory electrophysiological responses S2 of the person or animal.

[0188] The auditory electrophysiological response may be recorded by a recording unit, in response to the audio stimulus being provided by the acoustic stimulus generating unit to at least one of the ears of the person or animal.

[0189] The method may comprise processing the recorded one or more auditory electrophysiological responses S3.

[0190] The processing the recorded auditory electrophysiological responses S3 may be carried out by a diagnostic unit.

[0191] The method may comprise providing a diagnosis S4 of cochlear hydrops of the person or animal.

[0192] The providing of a diagnosis S4 of cochlear hydrops may be carried out by a diagnostic unit.

[0193] The diagnostic unit may provide the diagnoses based on the audio stimuli. The diagnostic unit may provide the diagnoses based on the recorded auditory electrophysiological responses.

[0194] It is intended that the structural features of the devices described above, either in the detailed description and/or in the claims, may be combined with steps of the method, when appropriately substituted by a corresponding process.

[0195] As used, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning “at least one”), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element but an intervening element may also be present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any disclosed method is not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0196] It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an aspect” or features included as “may” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0197] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more.

[0198] Accordingly, the scope should be judged in terms of the claims that follow.

REFERENCES

[0199] [1] Roeser, R. J., Valente, M., & Hosford-Dunn, H. (2007). Audiology: Diagnosis (Second edition). Thieme.

[0200] [2] Don, M., Kwong, B., & Tanaka, C. (2005). A Diagnostic test for Ménière's disease and cochlear hydrops: Impaired high-pass noise masking of auditory brainstem responses. Otology & Neurotology, 26, 711-722.

[0201] [3] Elberling, C., & Don, M. (2008). Auditory brainstem responses to a chirp stimulus designed from derived-band latencies in normal-hearing subjects. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 124(5), 3022. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2990709

[0202] [4] Elberling, C., & Don, M. (2010). A direct approach for the design of chirp stimuli used for the recording of auditory brainstem responses. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 128(5), 2955. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.3489111