SPECTRO-TEMPORAL MODULATION DETECTION TEST UNIT

Abstract

The present application relates to a spectro-temporal modulation (STM) detection test unit comprising a stimulus generation unit comprising at least one output unit configured to present a first probe stimulus to one ear of a user and to present a second probe stimulus to another ear of the user, an analysis unit configured to determine, in response to presenting the probe stimuli, a modulation-detection threshold of the user, where the stimulus generation unit being configured to generate each of the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus based on a carrier signal with a spectro-temporal modulation added, and where the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus is different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus. The present application further relates to a system and a method.

Claims

1. Spectro-temporal modulation (STM) detection test unit comprising: a stimulus generation unit comprising at least one output unit configured to present a first probe stimulus to one ear of a user and to present a second probe stimulus to another ear of the user, an analysis unit configured to determine, in response to presenting the probe stimuli, a modulation-detection threshold of the user, where the stimulus generation unit being configured to generate each of the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus based on a carrier signal with a spectro-temporal modulation added, and where the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus is different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus.

2. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein the STM detection test unit is configured to operate in a plurality of different modes, where each mode is characterized by the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus being different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus.

3. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus being different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus comprises: the degree and/or occurrence of the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus being different from the degree and/or occurrence of the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus.

4. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit being configured to compare the modulation-detection threshold of the user in response to the stimuli with a reference modulation-detection threshold.

5. STM detection test unit according to claim 4, wherein comparing the modulation-detection thresholds comprises: the analysis unit being configured to determine a difference value between the modulation-detection threshold of the user and the reference modulation-detection threshold.

6. STM detection test unit according to claim 4, wherein a reference modulation-detection threshold comprises one of: a modulation-detection threshold of the user determined in response to presenting the combined probe stimuli of the chosen mode of the STM detection test unit to both ears of the user, a modulation-detection threshold of a normal-hearing subject determined in response to presenting the combined probe stimuli of the chosen mode of the STM detection test unit to both ears of the normal-hearing subject, or a modulation-detection threshold of the user determined in response to presenting similar sparse spectro-temporally modulated probe stimuli to both ears of the user.

7. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein generating the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus comprises: the stimulus generation unit being configured to modulate the carrier signal of each of the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus by a modulator signal with an adjustable modulation depth parameter, where the modulation depth parameter determines the degree of modulation.

8. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein generating the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus comprises: the stimulus generation unit being configured to reduce the modulation depth parameter of either the first probe stimulus or the second probe stimulus by a modulation reduction parameter.

9. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein generating the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus comprises: the stimulus generation unit being configured to provide a mask on the modulator signal of each of the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus.

10. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein the STM detection test unit further comprises a headset comprising: a first output transducer of the output unit for presenting the first probe stimulus to one of the ears of a user, and a second output transducer of the output unit for presenting the second probe stimulus to the other of the ears of the user.

11. STM detection test unit according to claim 1, wherein the STM detection test unit comprising one or more electrodes, and where the STM detection test unit is configured to determine the modulation-detection threshold of the user based on detecting a physiological response of the user by the one or more electrodes.

12. STM detection test system comprising: an STM detection test unit according to claim 1, and an auxiliary device.

13. Hearing aid adapted for being located at or in an ear of a hearing aid user, or for being fully or partially implanted in the head of a hearing aid user, where the hearing aid comprising: an input unit for receiving an input sound signal from an environment of a hearing aid user and providing at least one electric input signal representing said input sound signal, and a processing unit comprising signal processing parameters to provide processed versions of said at least one electric input signal, where the signal processing parameters are configured by at least the difference value between the modulation-detection threshold of the user and the reference modulation-detection threshold, according to claim 5.

14. Method comprising: presenting a first probe stimulus to one ear of a user and presenting a second probe stimulus to another ear of the user, by a stimulus generation unit comprising at least one output unit, determining, in response to presenting the probe stimuli, a modulation-detection threshold of the user, by an analysis unit, generating each of the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus based on a carrier signal with a spectro-temporal modulation added, by the stimulus generation unit, where the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus is different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprising: comparing the modulation-detection threshold of the user in response to the stimuli with a reference modulation-detection threshold, and determining a difference value between the modulation-detection threshold of the user and the reference modulation-detection threshold.

16. Method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: adjusting signal processing parameters of a hearing aid of the user based on a determined difference value between the modulation-detection threshold of the user and a reference modulation-detection threshold.

17. STM detection test unit according to claim 2, wherein the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus being different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus comprises: the degree and/or occurrence of the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus being different from the degree and/or occurrence of the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus.

18. STM detection test unit according to claim 2, wherein the analysis unit being configured to compare the modulation-detection threshold of the user in response to the stimuli with a reference modulation-detection threshold.

19. STM detection test unit according to claim 3, wherein the analysis unit being configured to compare the modulation-detection threshold of the user in response to the stimuli with a reference modulation-detection threshold.

20. STM detection test unit according to claim 5, wherein a reference modulation-detection threshold comprises one of: a modulation-detection threshold of the user determined in response to presenting the combined probe stimuli of the chosen mode of the STM detection test unit to both ears of the user, a modulation-detection threshold of a normal-hearing subject determined in response to presenting the combined probe stimuli of the chosen mode of the STM detection test unit to both ears of the normal-hearing subject, or a modulation-detection threshold of the user determined in response to presenting similar sparse spectro-temporally modulated probe stimuli to both ears of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0129] 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:

[0130] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary STM detection test unit according to the present application.

[0131] FIG. 2 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing better-ear selection according to the present application.

[0132] FIG. 3 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing temporal integration across ears according to the present application.

[0133] FIG. 4 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing spectral integration across ears according to the present application.

[0134] FIG. 5 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing spectro-temporal integration across ears according to the present application.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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

[0137] 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 apparatus 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.

[0138] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary STM detection test unit according to the present application.

[0139] In FIG. 1, it is shown that the STM detection test unit (‘STM’) may comprise a stimulus generation unit SGU and an analysis unit AU.

[0140] The stimulus generation unit SGU may comprise at least one output unit. In FIG. 1, it is shown that the STM detection test unit (‘STM’) may further comprise a headset 1. The headset 1 may comprise a first output transducer and a second output transducer of the output unit.

[0141] The stimulus generation unit SGU may be configured to present a first probe stimulus to one of the ears of a user 2 via the first output transducer and to present a second probe stimulus to another ear of the user 2 via the second output transducer.

[0142] The stimulus generation unit SGU may be configured to generate each of the first probe stimulus and the second probe stimulus based on a carrier signal provided with a spectro-temporal modulation or without a modulation. In FIG. 1, it is shown that the first probe stimulus 3 and the second probe stimulus 4 may comprise similar spectro-temporal modulation. However, the first probe stimulus 3 (e.g. the spectro-temporal modulation) may also be different from the second probe stimulus 4 (e.g. the spectro-temporal modulation).

[0143] The analysis unit AU may be configured to determine, in response to presenting the probe stimuli, a modulation-detection threshold of the user 2. The modulation-detection threshold may be determined based on detected psychophysical or electrophysiological responses of the user 2 (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0144] It is contemplated that one or both of the stimulus generation unit SGU and an analysis unit AU may be incorporated into the headset. It is also contemplated that the STM detection test unit (‘STM’) may comprise an auxiliary device, e.g. a mobile device or stationary device, wired or wirelessly connected to the remainder features of the STM detection test unit (‘STM’), and that the auxiliary device may control the stimulus generation unit SGU and/or the analysis unit AU.

[0145] FIG. 2 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing better-ear selection according to the present application.

[0146] In FIG. 2, a first probe stimulus 3 is presented to one ear of a user (not shown) and a second probe stimulus 4 is presented to another ear of the user (not shown). Both stimuli 3,4 comprise a spectro-temporal modulation. However, the STM detection test unit (‘STM’) may be configured to operate in a plurality of different modes and in the mode of FIG. 2, the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus 3 is different from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus 4.

[0147] The mode of FIG. 2 relates to a better-ear selection. In FIG. 2, it is assessed whether a user is able to select the information provided by the long-term better ear to optimize performance. This may be achieved by varying the degree of modulation of the stimuli between the two ears.

[0148] For example, in this mode, the modulation of the second probe stimulus 4 may be reduced compared to the modulation of the first probe stimulus 3 (e.g. by a fixed amount), making the ear receiving the first probe stimulus 3 the better ear in that trial. In the next trial, the modulation of the first probe stimulus 3 may be reduced compared to the modulation of the second probe stimulus 4. The difference value in performance between the described mode and a reference mode (e.g. the standard ACT test providing a reference modulation-detection threshold, or other) reveals the level of difficulty induced by having only one reliable ear signal in any given trial (instead of two). In the case, the user manages optimal better-ear selection, the difference value should be low or zero. In the case, the user only manages suboptimal better-ear selection, the difference value should be higher (>zero).

[0149] Additionally, the difference value may be compared to an average difference value measured for a group of young normal hearing listeners/subjects (normative data) at a similar test mode (i.e. at a similar mode of the STM detection test unit). Thereby, it may be determined whether the user's ability to use the better ear is decreased/impaired.

[0150] FIG. 3 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing temporal integration across ears according to the present application.

[0151] In FIG. 3, a first probe stimulus 3 is presented to one ear of a user (not shown) and a second probe stimulus 4 is presented to another ear of the user (not shown). Both stimuli 3,4 comprise a spectro-temporal modulation. However, in the mode of FIG. 3, the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus 3 differs temporally from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus 4.

[0152] In FIG. 3, it is shown that the first probe stimulus 3 provides a spectro-temporal modulation at a first time interval t.sub.1, but does not provide a modulation at a second time interval t.sub.2, etc., alternating up to a time interval t.sub.n. The second probe stimulus 4, on the other hand, provides no modulation at a first time interval t.sub.1, but provides a spectro-temporal modulation at a second time interval t.sub.2, etc., alternating up to a time interval t.sub.n.

[0153] The mode of FIG. 3 relates to a temporal integration across the ears of the user. The mode of FIG. 3 measures the user's ability to integrate temporally sparse information across two ears to optimize performance. This may be achieved by splitting up the spectro-temporal modulation pattern imposed on the carrier signal in short time windows and modulating the noise only in the left- or in the right-ear signal in any given time window, in an alternating fashion over time. As a result, a perfect combination of the two temporally sparse but complementary spectro-temporal modulation patterns across ears reveals the full spectro-temporal modulation pattern. The difference value in performance between the described test and a reference mode (e.g. the standard ACT test providing a reference modulation-detection threshold, or other) reveals the increase in difficulty induced by having only one reliable ear signal in any given time window. In the case of optimal integration by the user, the performance should be the same and the difference value low or zero; in the case of suboptimal integration by the user, the performance will be lower and the difference value higher (>zero).

[0154] Additionally, the difference value may be compared to an average difference value measured for a group of young normal hearing listeners/subjects (normative data) at a similar test mode (i.e. at a similar mode of the STM detection test unit). Thereby, it may be determined whether the user's ability to integrate across ears is decreased/impaired.

[0155] Other modulation patterns may be contemplated.

[0156] FIG. 4 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing spectral integration across ears according to the present application.

[0157] In FIG. 4, a first probe stimulus 3 is presented to one ear of a user (not shown) and a second probe stimulus 4 is presented to another ear of the user (not shown). Both stimuli 3,4 comprise a spectro-temporal modulation. However, in the mode of FIG. 4, the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus 3 differs spectrally from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus 4.

[0158] In FIG. 4, it is shown that the first probe stimulus 3 provides a spectro-temporal modulation at a first frequency band f.sub.1, but does not provide a modulation at a second frequency band f.sub.2, etc., alternating up to a frequency band f.sub.n. The second probe stimulus 4, on the other hand, provides no modulation at a first frequency band f.sub.1, but provides a spectro-temporal modulation at a second frequency band f.sub.2, etc., alternating up to a frequency band f.sub.n.

[0159] The mode of FIG. 4 relates to spectral integration across ears. The mode of FIG. 4 measures the user's ability to integrate spectrally sparse information across the two ears to optimize performance. This is achieved by splitting up the spectro-temporal modulation pattern imposed on the carrier signal in auditory-inspired frequency bands and modulating the carrier signal only in the left- or in the right-ear signal in any given frequency band, in an alternating fashion across frequency. As a result, a perfect combination of the two spectrally sparse but complementary spectro-temporal modulation patterns across ears reveals the full spectro-temporal modulation pattern. The difference value in performance between the described mode and the reference mode (e.g. the standard ACT test providing a reference modulation-detection threshold, or other) reveals the increase in difficulty induced by having only one reliable ear signal in any given frequency band. In the case of optimal integration by the user, the performance should be the same and the difference value low or zero; in the case of suboptimal integration by the user, the performance should be lower and the difference value higher (>zero).

[0160] Additionally, the difference value may be compared to an average difference value measured for a group of young normal hearing listeners/subjects (normative data) at a similar test mode (i.e. at a similar mode of the STM detection test unit). Thereby, it may be determined whether the user's ability to integrate across ears is decreased/impaired.

[0161] Other modulation patterns may be contemplated.

[0162] FIG. 5 shows exemplary stimuli design for testing spectro-temporal integration across ears according to the present application.

[0163] In FIG. 5, a first probe stimulus 3 is presented to one ear of a user (not shown) and a second probe stimulus 4 is presented to another ear of the user (not shown). Both stimuli 3,4 comprise a spectro-temporal modulation. However, in the mode of FIG. 5, the spectro-temporal modulation of the first probe stimulus 3 differs spectro-temporally from the spectro-temporal modulation of the second probe stimulus 4.

[0164] In FIG. 5, it is shown that the first probe stimulus 3 provides a spectro-temporal modulation at a first frequency band f.sub.1 and first time interval t.sub.1, and at a second frequency band f.sub.2 and second time interval t.sub.2, but does not provide a modulation at a second frequency band f.sub.2 and first time interval t.sub.1, and at a first frequency band f.sub.1 and second time interval t.sub.2, etc., alternating up to a frequency band f.sub.n and time interval t.sub.n. The second probe stimulus 4, on the other hand, provides no modulation at a first frequency band f.sub.1 and first time interval t.sub.1, and at a second frequency band f.sub.2 and second time interval t.sub.2, but provides a spectro-temporal modulation at a second frequency band f.sub.2 and first time interval t.sub.1, and at a first frequency band f.sub.1 and second time interval t.sub.2, etc., alternating up to a frequency band f.sub.n and time interval t.sub.n.

[0165] The mode of FIG. 5 relates to spectro-temporal integration across ears. The mode of FIG. 5 measures the user's ability to integrate spectro-temporally sparse information across the two ears to optimize performance. This is achieved by splitting up the spectro-temporal modulation pattern imposed on the carrier signal in short time windows and in auditory-inspired frequency bands. The resulting time-frequency units are selected in a checkerboard fashion such that the spectro-temporal modulation pattern in the left-ear signal is perfectly complementary to that in the right-ear signal. In other words, when there is modulation in a given time-frequency unit in the left ear, there is none in the right ear, and vice versa. As a result, a perfect combination of the two spectro-temporally sparse but complementary spectro-temporal modulation patterns across ears reveals the full spectro-temporal modulation pattern. The difference value in performance between the described test and the reference mode (e.g the standard ACT test providing a reference modulation-detection threshold, or other) reveals the increase in difficulty induced by having only one reliable ear signal in any given time-frequency unit. In the case of optimal integration by the user, the performance should be the same and the difference value low or zero; in the case of suboptimal integration by the user, the performance should be lower and the difference value (>zero).

[0166] Additionally, the difference value may be compared to an average difference value measured for a group of young normal hearing listeners/subjects (normative data) at a similar test mode (i.e. at a similar mode of the STM detection test unit). Thereby, it may be determined whether the user's ability to integrate across ears is decreased/impaired.

[0167] Other modulation patterns may be contemplated.

[0168] In FIGS. 2-5, only the stimulus design and not the features of the STM detection test unit (‘STM’) are shown, but it is obviously foreseen that some or all of the features of the STM detection test unit (‘STM’) may also be included.

[0169] 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.

[0170] 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.

[0171] 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 applied to other aspects.

[0172] 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.

REFERENCES

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[0174] [2] Bernstein, J. G. W., Mehraei, G., Shamma, S., Gallun, F. J., Theodoroff, S. M., & Leek, M. R. (2013). Spectrotemporal Modulation Sensitivity as a Predictor of Speech Intelligibility for Hearing-Impaired Listeners. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 24(4), 293-306.

[0175] [3] Mehraei, G., Gallun, F. J., Leek, M. R., & Bernstein, J. G. (2014). Spectrotemporal modulation sensitivity for hearing-impaired listeners: Dependence on carrier center frequency and the relationship to speech intelligibility. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 136(1), 301-316.

[0176] [4] Zaar, J., Simonsen, L. B., Behrens, T., Dau, T., & Laugesen, S. (2018). Towards a clinically viable spectro-temporal modulation test. IHCON Poster B3-P-15. International Hearing Aid Research Conference, Lake Tahoe, USA.

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[0179] [7] Brungart, D. S., & Iyer, N. (2012). Better-ear glimpsing efficiency with symmetrically-placed interfering talkers. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 132(4), 2545-2556.

[0180] [8] Glyde, H., Buchholz, J., Dillon, H., Best, V., Hickson, L., & Cameron, S. (2013). The effect of better-ear glimpsing on spatial release from masking. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 134(4), 2937-2945.

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