System for providing sound distinctions and method therefor

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning. An audio storage media is used for storing multiple channel audio recordings. The audio storage media is played on a multiple channel audio player. A channel selection device is coupled to the multiple channel audio player for adjusting the strength of each channel of the multiple channel audio player. Headphones are coupled to the channel selection means for allowing the user of the apparatus to listen to at least one channel of the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media. By separating the sounds into different channels, a user of the apparatus and method will be able to better distinguish sounds thus increasing the learning ability of the user.

Description: 1. Field of the Invention: This invention relates to auditory conditioning and, more specifically, to a system and method for separating sounds into different channels. By separating sounds into different channels, a user of the system and method will be able to better distinguish sounds thus increasing the learning ability of the user. 2. Description of the Prior Art : Sound is heard because it passes through air to a person's ears (known as air conduction) and through bones located near the ears (known as bone conduction). Although the person's hearing may be substantially unimpaired by either sensory neural loss, conduction loss or osteoporosis, for example, the person may have a defective ability to learn. If a person does not have a sensory neural loss, auditory conditioning is used to deal with an inability to discriminate between sounds of differing frequencies and to treat insensitivity to sound. The insensitivity may cause the person to experience a lack of motivation, lack of creativity, and a lack of energy. Typically, the insensitivity has a psychological and/or a neurophysiological basis. Auditory conditioning may also be used in dealing with a person's inability to tune out or to comfortably perceive sound at known frequencies within the audio frequency range, thereby causing a two open reception or a hypersensitivity to sound at the known frequencies. Typically, the hypersensitivity has a psychological and or neurophysiological basis. When a person has an inability to attend and concentrate, it may be a manifestation of a reduced ability to listen to sounds transmitted via air conduction as compared to the ability to listen via bone conduction. This inability may also be dealt with by auditory conditioning. Typically, the inability to attend and concentrate has a psychological and/or neurophysiological basis. A speech articulation and/or fluency defect is often related to a person's inability to perceive and distinguish sound signals clearly and to efficiently use the neurological pathways to the hearing center on the left side of the person's brain (left side hearing center) from the person's ears. The left side hearing center controls the person's speech organs. The most efficient neurological pathway to the left side hearing center is from the person's right ear. A neurological pathway from the person's left ear is less efficient. Through a process known as lateralization, auditory conditioning is used to cause a dominance of the neurological pathway from the right ear to the left side hearing center, known as right ear dominance. Most people, and practically all singers, have right ear dominance. Therefore, a need existed to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus and method for auditory conditioning. The apparatus and method must be able to divide sounds into different channels for both air conduction and bone conduction. The apparatus and method must also be able to control the strength of each channel for the air and bone conduction. By separating sounds into different channels for both air and bone conduction, and by controlling the strength of each channel, a user of the apparatus and method will be better able to listen to distinctions in sounds. This will help increase the ability of the user to learn the different sounds. The apparatus and method must also help the user develop an efficient neurological pathway to the left side hearing center from the user's right ear (i.e., develop right ear dominance). DE 2451977A discloses apparatus comprising audio storage means for storing audio recordings comprising an air conduction signal and a bone conduction signal, audio player means for playing stored audio recordings, and channel adjustment means coupled to the audio player means. The channel adjustment means comprises first adjustment means for adjusting the strength of the air conduction signal to a right ear of a user, second adjustment means for adjusting the air conduction signal to the left ear of a user and third adjustment means for adjusting the strength of the bone conduction signal to a user. Listening means are provided to enable a user to listen to at least one of the stored signals. JP 02182098A discloses a headphone comprising left and right speakers and bone conduction drivers. Left and right audio channels are transmitted to the left and right speakers, and a third channel is transmitted to the bone conduction drivers. The third channel is retarded relative to the other two, so as to cause crosstalk. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for auditory conditioning. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for auditory conditioning which is simple and inexpensive to use. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for auditory conditioning which will allow a user of the apparatus and method to listen to distinctions in sound. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for auditory conditioning which is able to divide sounds into different channels for both air conduction and bone conduction. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for auditory conditioning which controls the strength of the channel for air conduction and the strength of the channel for bone conduction. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for auditory conditioning which will help the user to develop an efficient neurological pathway to the left side hearing center from the user's right ear (i.e., develop right ear dominance). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus according to claim 1. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method according to claim 9. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from .the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an elevated perspective view of an apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning. Figure 2 is a simplified electrical schematic of the channel selection device used in the apparatus depicted in figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to figure 1, an apparatus for conditioning a person's auditory system 10 (hereinafter apparatus 10) is shown. The apparatus 10 is comprised of an audio storage media 12. Some examples of an audio storage media 12 include, but are not limited to, magnetic tapes, compact discs, and vinyl records. The audio storage media 12 is used for storing multiple channel audio recordings. The multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media 12 are recorded so as to have at least one channel dedicated for air conduction and at least one channel dedicated for bone conduction. The channel for bone conduction provides a signal sooner than the channel that provides the signal for air conduction. The audio storage media 12 are placed within or on a multiple channel audio player device 16. The multiple channel audio player device 16 is used for playing the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media 12. Some examples of a multiple channel audio player device 16 are stereo tape players like a SONY WALKMAN™, stereo compact disc players like a SONY DISCMAN™, and stereo record players. These types of devices are well known to those skilled in the arts and will not be further described. A channel selection device 18 is coupled to the multiple channel audio player device 16 through a coaxial cable 20. The channel selection device 18 is used for adjusting the strength of the signal from each channel of the multiple channel audio player device 16. In the present embodiment, the channel selection device 18 is comprised of a first selection knob 18A for adjusting the strength of the audio signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user. A second selection knob 18B is provided for adjusting the strength of the audio signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the-audio signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user is a ratio of the signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user. Thus, the right ear will always receive a signal strength of 100% while the left ear will receive an audio signal which is a percentage of the audio signal to the right ear. The actual percentage received by the left ear is controlled by the second selection knob 18B. The channel selection device 18 is further comprised of a third selection knob 18C. The third selection knob is used for controlling the strength of the audio signal for bone conduction to the user. Referring to figure 2, a simplified electrical schematic of the channel selection device 18 is shown. The channel selection device 18 is comprised of three resistors 20A, 20B, and 20C. The resistor 20A is used by the first selection knob 18A for adjusting the strength of the signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user. The resistor 20B is used by the second selection knob 18B for adjusting the strength of the signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user. The resistor 20C is used by the third selection knob 18C for adjusting the strength of the signal for bone conduction to the head of the user. Referring back now to figure 1, the output from the channel selection device 18 is sent to a headphone device 22. The headphone device 22 is used for allowing the user of the apparatus 10 to listen to at least one channel of the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media 12. The headphone device 22 is comprised of a right earphone 22A for sending the signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user, a left earphone 22B for sending the signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user, and a bone transmitter 22C for sending the signal for bone conduction to the head of the user. The bone transmitter should be placed on the headphone device 22 so as to send the signal for bone conduction to the top of the head of the user. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bone transmitter 22C should send a signal to the mastoid bone of the user. The apparatus 10 is used for auditory conditioning in order to overcome some of the learning disabilities described above. The apparatus 10 may also be used to help individuals learn foreign languages. All languages, when spoken, emphasize a certain range of frequencies. By recording a foreign language on the audio storage media 12, and by emphasizing the proper frequencies, the user of the apparatus 10 may train his or her ears to the intonation and rhythm patterns of the foreign language. Thus, by using the apparatus, one will be able to more easily learn and speak a foreign language. OPERATION In order to use the apparatus 10, the audio storage media 12 is played on the multiple channel audio player device 16. The user of the apparatus 10 will place the headphones 22 over his or her ears. The first selection knob 18A is then adjusted in order to provide an audio signal to the right ear of the user which is comfortable to the user. The second selection knob 18B is then adjusted in a similar manner. The third selection knob 18C is then set at a level slightly higher than the first selection knob 18A since it takes a higher volume to produce sound on the bone conductor. The second selection knob 18B then should be lowered to a level below that of the first selection knob 18A in order to develop a good right ear dominance. The right ear being the most efficient ear for directing sound to the speech center of the brain. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: An apparatus (10) for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning comprising, in combination: audio storage means (12) for storing multiple channel audio recordings wherein said multiple channel audio recordings stored on said audio storage means has one channel for an air conduction signal and one channel for a bone conduction signal; multiple channel audio player means (16) for playing said multiple channel audio recordings stored on said audio storage means; channel adjustment means (18) coupled to said multiple channel audio player means for adjusting a strength of each channel of said multiple channel audio player means; said channel adjustment means comprising: first adjustment means (18A) for adjusting a strength of said signal for air conduction to a right ear of a user; second adjustment means (18B) for adjusting a strength of said signal for air conduction to a left ear of said user; and third adjustment means (18C) for adjusting a strength of said signal for bone conduction to said user; listening means (22), coupled to said channel selection means for allowing a user of said apparatus to listen to at least one channel of said multiple channel audio recordings stored on said audio storage means; and characterised in that said audio storage means provides said bone conduction signal to said listening means sooner than said air conduction signal. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said audio storage means is a magnetic tape. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said audio storage means is a compact disk. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 2 wherein said multiple channel audio player means is a tape player. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 3 wherein said multiple channel audio player means is a compact disk player. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said signal for air conduction to said left ear of said user is a ratio of said signal for air conduction to said right ear of said user. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said listening means comprises: right earphone means (22A) for sending said signal for air conduction to said right ear of said user; left earphone means (22B) for sending said signal for air conduction to said left ear of said user; and bone transmitter means (22C) for sending said signal for bone conduction to a head of said user. An apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said bone transmitter sends said signal for bone conduction to a mastoid bone of said user. A method for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning comprising the steps of: providing audio storage means (12) for storing multiple channel audio recordings wherein said multiple channel audio recordings stored on said audio storage means has one channel for an air conduction signal and one channel for a bone conduction signal; providing multiple channel audio player means (16) for playing said multiple channel audio recordings stored on said audio storage means; providing channel adjustment means (18) coupled to said multiple channel audio player means for adjusting a strength of each channel of said multiple channel audio player means; said step of providing channel adjustment means further comprising the steps of: providing first adjustment means (18A) for adjusting a strength of said signal for air conduction to a right ear of a user; providing second adjustment means (18B) for adjusting a strength of said signal for air conduction to a left ear of said user; and providing third adjustment means (18C) for adjusting a strength of said signal for bone conduction to said user; providing listening means (22) coupled to said channel selection means for allowing a user of said apparatus to listen to at least one channel of said multiple channel audio recordings stored on said audio storage means; and characterised in that said audio storage means provides said bone conduction signal to said listening means sooner than said air conduction signal. The method of Claim 9 wherein said signal for air conduction to said left ear of said user is a ratio of said signal for air conduction to said right ear of said user. The method of Claim 9 wherein said step of providing listening means further comprises the steps of: providing right earphone means (22A) for sending said signal for air conduction to said right ear of said user; providing left earphone means (22B) for sending said signal for air conduction to said left ear of said user; and providing bone transmitter means (22C) for sending said signal for bone conduction to a head of said user. The method of Claim 11 wherein said bone transmitter sends said signal for bone conduction to a mastoid bone of said user.

Inventors: THOMPSON BILLIE M, THOMPSON KIRK D, THOMPSON, BILLIE M., THOMPSON, KIRK D.
Applicants: THOMPSON BILLIE M, THOMPSON KIRK D, THOMPSON, BILLIE M., THOMPSON, KIRK D.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H04R5
IPC codes: H04R5