Patent ID: 6167138
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: A61B,G16H,H04R

Abstract:
A method for selecting and presenting binaural acoustic stimuli in spatialized mode for hearing diagnostics and rehabilitation, comprising the steps of:synthesizing audio signals, including primary audio signals comprising pure tones and speech, and secondary signals comprising background noise and other competing sources, wherein said synthesized audio signals are presented according to individualized transfer functions that include any of a hearing aid faceplate, hearing aid microphone, hearing aid circuit or receiver, and any of an individual's effects of body, head and ear on incoming signals;controlling spatialization parameters of said audio signals, including any of the position of each source in space in terms of any of distance, azimuth, and altitude; and acoustic boundary parameters including room size, reflection properties; reverberation; atmospheric absorption, and spreading loss roll-off;presenting such spatialized stimuli to an individual over a signal pathway wherein said pathway is controlled from source to destination; andperforming any of hearing evaluation, hearing diagnostics, hearing aid prescription, hearing aid simulation, and hearing aid fitting with an audiometric module.