Patent ID: 7447319
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A method for use in positioning a vibratory member of an implanted hearing aid transducer, comprising: positioning a test measurement device external to a patient having the implanted hearing aid transducer; first utilizing the externally positioned test measurement device to obtain at least one impedance measure of the actuator responsive to an electrical signal provided to the implanted hearing aid transducer; employing the at least one impedance measure obtained in the first utilizing step to determine if the implanted hearing aid transducer is operational; second utilizing the externally positioned test measurement device to obtain a plurality of impedance measures of the actuator response to a corresponding plurality of electrical signals provided to the implanted hearing aid transducer at a corresponding plurality of different frequencies within a predetermined frequency range; identifying a resonant frequency of the implanted hearing aid transducer using the plurality of impedance measures obtained in the second utilizing step; and using the externally positioned test measurement device to obtain a plurality of impedance measures of the actuator in response to an electrical signal provided to the implanted hearing aid transducer at or within a predetermined range of said identified resonant frequency of the implanted hearing aid transducer; positioning the vibratory member of the implanted hearing aid transducer relative to a patient's ossicular chain, during at least a portion of said using step, utilizing said plurality of impedance measures obtained in said using step.