Hybrid ear-probe fit

Abstract

An instrument comprising an ear probe for insertion into an ear canal of a test subject is provided. The ear probe comprising an acoustic output unit comprising at least one speaker, the acoustic output unit being configured to provide at least one stimulus into the ear canal of the test subject via said speaker, an acoustic input unit comprising at least one microphone, the acoustic input unit being configured to receive a reflected part of said stimulus via said microphone and provide an electrical input signal, where the instrument further comprises a signal-processing unit connected to the acoustic output unit and to the acoustic input unit, where the signal-processing unit is configured to generate at least a first and a second stimulus and to provide said at least first stimulus and second stimulus to said acoustic output unit, and where the acoustic input unit is configured to receive a reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus.

Claims

1. Instrument comprising an ear probe for insertion into an ear canal of a test subject, the ear probe comprising an acoustic output unit comprising at least one speaker, the acoustic output unit being configured to provide at least one stimulus into the ear canal of the test subject via said at least one speaker, an acoustic input unit comprising at least one microphone, the acoustic input unit being configured to receive a reflected part of said at least one stimulus via said microphone and provide an electrical input signal, where the instrument further comprises a signal-processing unit connected to the acoustic output unit and to the acoustic input unit, where the signal-processing unit is configured to generate at least a first and a second stimulus and to provide said at least first stimulus and second stimulus to said acoustic output unit, and where the acoustic input unit is configured to receive a reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus.

2. Instrument according to claim 1, wherein the signal-processing unit is configured to assess the quality of a fit of the ear probe based on said received reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus.

3. Instrument according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the first stimulus is different from the characteristics of the second stimulus.

4. Instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first stimulus and the second stimulus each comprises a first block/part and a second block/part.

5. Instrument according to claim 4, wherein the first block and the second block of the first stimulus or of the second stimulus are aligned in time and phase.

6. Instrument according to claim 4, wherein the first block and the second block of the first stimulus or the second stimulus are aligned in time, but their phases are inverted.

7. Instrument according to claim 4, wherein the first blocks of the first and second stimuli are aligned in time, and the second blocks of the first and second stimuli are aligned in time.

8. Instrument according to claim 1, wherein the signal-processing unit generates the at least first stimulus and second stimulus consecutively.

9. Instrument according to claim 2, wherein, assessing the quality of a fit of the ear probe based on said received reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus, comprises adding the first blocks of the first and second stimuli which are aligned in time in a first block sum (Z.sub.A), and adding the second blocks of the first and second stimuli which are aligned in time in a second block sum (Z.sub.B).

10. Instrument according to claim 2, wherein, assessing the quality of a fit of the ear probe based on said received reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus, comprises adding the first block sum (Z.sub.A) and the second block sum (Z.sub.B), and subtracting the second block sum (Z.sub.B) from the first block sum (Z.sub.A).

11. Instrument according to claim 1, wherein, assessing the quality of a fit of the ear probe based on said received reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus, comprises determining one or more audiological parameters based on the first block sum (Z.sub.A) and/or the second block sum (Z.sub.B).

12. Instrument according to claim 11, wherein the signal-processing unit compares the determined one or more audiological parameters with predetermined similar audiological parameters and provides a comparison signal.

13. Instrument according to claim 12, wherein the signal-processing unit generates the first stimulus and the second stimulus consecutively until the comparison signal fulfills predetermined requirements.

14. Instrument according to claim 1, wherein the ear probe comprises a further speaker, and where said at least one speaker is configured to provide said first stimulus and said further speaker is configured to provide said second stimulus.

15. Ear probe for insertion into an ear canal of a test subject and for use with an instrument according to claim 1, where the ear probe comprises an acoustic output unit comprising at least one speaker, the acoustic output unit being configured to provide at least one stimulus into the ear canal of the test subject via said at least one speaker, an acoustic input unit comprising at least one microphone, the acoustic input unit being configured to receive a reflected part of said at least one stimulus via said microphone and provide an electrical input signal, a control unit connected to the acoustic output unit and to the acoustic input unit, where the control unit is configured to receive at least a first and a second stimulus and to provide said first stimulus and said second stimulus to said acoustic output unit, and where the acoustic input unit is configured to receive a reflected part of said at least first stimulus and second stimulus.

16. Method of performing a fit assessment of an ear probe, the method comprising: generating a first stimulus and a second stimulus by a signal-processing unit, providing said first and second stimuli to an ear canal of a test subject, via at least one speaker of the ear probe, receiving a response of the first and second stimuli from the ear canal of the test subject, via at least one microphone of the ear probe, assessing a fit of the ear probe based on the received stimuli response, by said signal-processing unit.

17. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of claim 16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0160] 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:

[0161] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary instrument according to the present application.

[0162] FIGS. 2A and 2B show exemplary ear-probe fits with a quality being insufficient and sufficient, respectively, for carrying out audiologic measurements.

[0163] FIG. 3 shows exemplary electrical signals used for an ear-probe-fit assessment.

[0164] FIG. 4 shows exemplary recordings using a microphone of the stimuli shown in FIG. 3.

[0165] FIG. 5 shows exemplary evaluated recordings of the stimuli.

[0166] 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.

[0167] 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

[0168] 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 instrument and method are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as elements). Depending upon a particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.

[0169] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary instrument according to the present application.

[0170] In FIG. 1, the instrument 1 is shown to be located at and in connection with the head 2 of a test subject.

[0171] The instrument 1 may be configured to test the functioning of the ear canal of the test subject, such as the middle-ear function of the test subject (e.g., in connection with tympanometry and impedance audiometry).

[0172] The instrument 1 is shown to comprise two elements, but may of course be combined to only one element, or alternatively be divided into several elements.

[0173] In FIG. 1, a first element of the instrument 1 may be arranged inside the ear canal 3 of the test subject. Alternatively, or additionally, the first element may be arranged at least partly outside the ear canal 3. The first element is shown to be an ear probe 4 suitable for insertion into the ear canal.

[0174] The ear probe 4 may comprise an ear tip 5, which may be releasably attached to an ear-probe body 6. When the ear probe 4 has been inserted correctly into the ear canal 3, the ear tip 5 may provide a barometric seal toward the ear-canal walls 7 of the ear canal 3. The instrument 1 may (via the ear probe 4) provide at least one stimulus into the ear canal of the test subject in a direction towards the eardrum 8 and receive a reflected part of said stimulus, as indicated by the two arrows located in the ear canal 3.

[0175] A second element of the instrument 1 is shown to be arranged outside the ear canal 3 of the test subject. Alternatively, or additionally, the second part (or at least some elements of the second part) could be combined with the ear probe 4.

[0176] The instrument 1 may comprise a pump 9 and a pressure sensor 10 by which the instrument 1 can control the pressure in the ear canal 3 in the space between the ear tip 5 and the eardrum 8. Therefore, the pump 9 and a pressure sensor 10 may be in fluid communication with the ear canal 3. The pump 9 and a pressure sensor 10 may provide a pressure equal to, above, or below ambient pressure in the ear canal 3.

[0177] The instrument 1 may comprise a signal-processing unit 11. The signal-processing unit 11 may comprise a signal generator 12. The signal-processing unit 11 (or the signal generator 12 of the signal-processing unit 11) may be configured to generate at least a first and a second stimulus. Said stimuli may be introduced into the ear canal 3 of the test subject via the ear probe 4.

[0178] The instrument 1 may comprise an acoustic output unit 13. The acoustic output unit 13 may be connected to the signal-processing unit 11 (and/or the signal generator 12) and may comprise at least one speaker 14 (e.g., located in the ear probe 4 even though FIG. 1 shows it in the second element). The acoustic output unit 13 may be configured to provide said first and second stimuli into the ear canal 3 of the test subject via said speaker 14.

[0179] The instrument 1 may comprise an acoustic input unit 15. The acoustic input unit 15 may be connected to the signal-processing unit 11 and may comprise a microphone 16 (e.g., located in the ear probe 4). The acoustic input unit 15 may be configured to receive a reflected part of said stimuli via said microphone 16 and provide an electrical input signal. The electrical input signal may be provided to said signal-processing unit 11.

[0180] In other words, the ear canal 3 may be stimulated with the stimuli (e.g., a first and a second stimulus) using the speaker(s) 14 and the stimuli may merge acoustically in the ear canal 3, and the acoustic response may be recorded by the microphone 16.

[0181] The signal-processing unit 11 may be configured to assess the quality of a fit of the ear probe 4 based on said received reflected part of said stimuli. In other words, the signal-processing unit 11 may be configured to assess the quality of a fit of the ear probe 4 based on the electrical input signal provided by the acoustic input unit 15.

[0182] The acoustic output unit 13 may comprise a further speaker 17 and said at least one speaker 14 may be configured to provide a first stimulus and said further speaker 17 may be configured to provide a second stimulus.

[0183] As indicated in FIG. 1, the second element may be connected to the first element. The first and second elements may be connected by a wired or a wireless connection 18.

[0184] FIG. 2A and 2B show exemplary ear-probe fits with a quality being insufficient and sufficient, respectively, for carrying out audiologic measurements.

[0185] In FIG. 2A and 2B, similar features as shown in FIG. 1 are given similar reference numbers.

[0186] In FIG. 2A, an ear probe 4 is shown inserted into an ear canal 3 of a test subject. It may be a requirement that the ear probe 4 is being inserted into a specific distance from the eardrum 8. Further, it may be a requirement that the ear tip 5 provides a sufficient barometric seal toward the ear-canal walls 7 of the ear canal 3, so that, e.g., leakage of sound and/or air to and from the surroundings of the test subject does not occur.

[0187] In the specific case of FIG. 2A, the leak indicated by the double-headed arrow 19 would result in the signal-processing unit 11 assessing the quality of the ear-probe fit of the ear probe 4 to be unsatisfactory. This may, e.g., be the result when the signal-processing unit compares one or more determined audiological parameters with predetermined similar audiological parameters and provides a comparison signal, which does not fulfill predetermined requirements.

[0188] In FIG. 2B, an ear probe 4 in shown inserted into an ear canal 3 of a test subject at a location where ear tip 5 provides a sufficient barometric seal toward the ear-canal walls 7 of the ear canal 3. Thereby, no leak of sound and/or air is expected, and the signal-processing unit 11 may assess the quality of the fit of the ear probe 4 to be satisfactory. This may, e.g., be the result when the signal-processing unit compares one or more determined audiological parameters with predetermined similar audiological parameters and provides a comparison signal, which fulfills predetermined requirements.

[0189] FIG. 3 shows exemplary electrical signals used for an ear-probe-fit assessment.

[0190] In FIG. 3, examples of an electrical signal of a first stimulus (stimulus x) and an electrical signal of a second stimulus (stimulus y) are shown. The stimuli are plotted as amplitude as function of time (in ms).

[0191] The first stimulus may be used for estimating the ear-canal volume using a probe tone at 226 Hz and the second stimulus may be used to record the ear-canal response to a transient stimulus.

[0192] In FIG. 3, the first stimulus (e.g., on channel 1 of a speaker) has 4 periods of a sine wave in block A (i.e., a first block/part; indicated with blue colour; from time 0 to time 18). The sine wave is repeated in block B (i.e., a second block/part; indicated with red colour; from time 18 to time 35) and is in phase with block A.

[0193] The second stimulus (e.g. a transient stimulus on channel 2 of a speaker) can be located anywhere in time in block A (blue colour; from time 0 to time 18), but must be offset by the same amount of time in block B (red colour; from time 18 to time 35) and be 180 degrees out of phase with the signal in block A.

[0194] The electrical signals are converted to soundwaves using the ear-probe speaker(s) and merge in the ear canal acoustically. The response of the soundwaves of block A and block B are recorded by the ear-probe microphone.

[0195] The duration of blocks A and B and the size of the amplitudes are only examples and may take a number of different values.

[0196] FIG. 4 shows exemplary recordings, using a microphone, of the stimuli shown in FIG. 1.

[0197] In FIG. 4, the recordings of the sine wave in block A (Z.sub.A) and block B (Z.sub.B) are aligned in time and in phase with each other. The transient responses, being the ripples on the peak of the 3rd sine wave, are also aligned in time, but 180 degrees out of phase with each other.

[0198] FIG. 5 shows exemplary evaluated recordings of the stimuli.

[0199] In the top graph, the recorded block A and block B responses are summed (Z.sub.A+Z.sub.B). The graph shows that the recorded response to the second stimulus will cancel out (will equal zero) because the responses are out of phase with each other. Thereby, only the recorded responses of the first stimulus remain, but with double amplitude.

[0200] In the bottom graph, the recorded block A and block B responses are subtracted from each other (Z.sub.AZ.sub.B). After subtraction, the difference between the recorded block A and block B responses of the first stimulus will cancel out (will equal zero) because the responses are in phase. Thereby, only the recorded responses of the second stimulus remain, but with double amplitude.

[0201] Both resulting signal amplitudes can easily be scaled to the amplitude of their original respective composed signals by dividing them by 2.

[0202] From the sum of the recorded block A and block B responses, the ear-canal impedance can be calculated without the influence of the second stimulus.

[0203] Similarly, a decay analysis (or other types of analysis) of the transient response of the second stimulus can be carried out without the influence of the first stimulus.

[0204] As mentioned above, the technique is not restricted to stimuli consisting of a sine wave and a transient but could be any two (or more) types of signals and subsequent analysis.

[0205] The disclosed technique can help streamline the ear-probe fitting process and increase the number of parameters to evaluate the quality of the ear-probe fit.

[0206] It is intended that the structural features of the instrument 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.

[0207] 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 are not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0208] 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.

[0209] 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.