Abstract: A method may include providing an output comprising a presentation format to an end user. The output may be provided for user-based interaction. An interactive response from the end user may be measured in response to the presentation format of the output, where the interactive response may be indicative of at least one physiological condition regarding the end user.

Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting a first hearing device based on adjustments of a second hearing device are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of converting an acoustic test signal into an electric test signal by a microphone of the second hearing device, of converting an acoustic signal generated by a receiver of the second hearing device into an electrical signal, of analyzing the electrical signal in an analyzing unit, and, finally, of adjusting the first hearing device based on results obtained in the analysis performed in the analyzing unit. By the present invention, an especially suitable procedure for performing the initial adjustment of a new hearing device is achieved. The method according to the present invention quickly leads to spontaneous user acceptance of the newly adjusted (i.e. fitted) hearing device, whilst considerably reducing the required fitting effort compared with today's state of the art techniques.

Abstract: Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode.

Abstract: An adaptive place-pitch ranking procedure for use with a cochlear implant or other neural stimulation system provides a systematic method for quantifying the magnitude and direction of errors along the place-pitch continuum. The method may be conducted and completed in a relatively short period of time. In use, the implant user or listener is asked to rank the percepts obtained after a sequential presentation of monopolar stimulation pulses are applied to a selected spatially-defined electrode pair. Should the patient's judgment of pitch order be correct for all applied interrogations, then no further testing involving the tested electrode pair (two electrode contacts) is undertaken. However, should there be errors in the place-pitch ranking, which errors evidence perceptual place-confusions, then a search is undertaken for the spread of the perceptual confusion by separating the target channel and competing channel by one electrode contact at a time.

Abstract: The method for reconstructing the three-dimensional shape of the surface (14) of at least a portion of an ear canal (18) and/or of a concha comprises—for each of a multitude of points (12) on said surface (14)—the step of using a chromatic coded distance measurement technique for determining a distance value (40) representative of a distance to said point (12); and further comprises the step of reconstructing said three-dimensional shape based on said multitude of distance values (40).

Abstract: A hearing testing device (2) for self-testing the hearing of a subject including: an earpiece housing (4); a loud speaker (46) located within the housing; and control circuitry (14) coupled to drive the loudspeaker, the control circuitry being arranged to produce a sequence of test signals which are inputted to the loudspeaker to produce a series of tones at frequencies corresponding to said test signals wherein said test signals do not include significant harmonic components.

Abstract: A system for providing therapy for tinnitus. An integrated system is developed for implementation of customized sound therapy (CST). The CST System is used by a qualified person to test and treat a patient. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a system that includes: (1) a Sound Matching Station (SMS), which is a dedicated electronic device having a processing system including a CST application, an acoustic compiler for generating CST sounds, a graphical user interface user (GUI), an output for high-quality digital audio file output; (2) an audio device for playback of CST sounds to the patient. In one embodiment, the audio device includes a Portable Sound Player (PSP). The PSP using a stereophonic playback converts the digital audio file into CST sounds, which can be heard through a pair of high fidelity earphones provided to the patient and one for the tester.

Abstract: An ear canal pressurization device optimized for aural acoustic immittance testing is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the device is comprised of a rigid mounting framework which holds in position, axially aligned, a first flexible chamber assembly, a centrally disposed forcer assembly, and a second flexible chamber assembly. The forcer assembly comprises a ferromagnetic bobbin and coil that provides electromotive force for a moving magnet linear motor. The motor is comprised of a rigid chamber link, which passes through the hollow core of the bobbin, with a ferromagnetic keeper washer and axially aligned rare earth ring magnet at either end, with like magnetic poles facing each other. The motor is elastically suspended between the first and second flexible chambers.

Abstract: A portable audiometer for performing hearing testing enclosed within a patient response mechanism housing is disclosed. The audiometer may include a printed circuit board containing circuitry, plugs or other connectors for wired or wireless headphones and bone conductor, a battery charging unit, and one or more buttons for indicating response to pure tone and other stimuli, including, but not limited to noise, speech, and visual and audio instructions and graphical representations of objects or concepts used in a comprehensive hearing test. The instrument can be connected via a wired or wireless interface to a variety of controlling devices, including PC's, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones, smartphones, including hybrid phone and PDA, and other devices such as media players, gaming systems, personal audio players, and other devices that can operatively communicate with the portable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting multiple diagnostic hearing tests are provided. The systems comprise an insertion probe for insertion into an ear of a patient, at least one transducer for providing test sounds to the ear of the patent through the insertion probe, and at least one transducer for transmitting test results from the ear of the patient. The systems are capable of conducting an audiometric test and at least one of an acoustic immittance test and an otoacoustic emission test. More preferably, the systems are capable of conducting an audiometric test, a tympanogram test, an acoustic reflex test, and an otoacoustic emission test using a single ear probe.

Abstract: Physiological parameters are monitored from within an ear canal. A sensor module, which is mountable within the ear canal, includes at least one sensor operable to sense the physiological parameters and to generate signals based on the sensed physiological parameters. A processor, which is in communication with the sensor module, processes the signals from the at least one sensor and generates data related to the physiological parameters.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, computer program products, devices and systems are described that carry out accepting at least one user-health test function output at least partly based on an interaction between at least one user and at least one device-operable application; accepting brain activity measurement data proximate to the interaction; associating the at least one user-health test function output with the brain activity measurement data; and presenting the at least one user-health test function output and the brain activity measurement data at least partly based on the associating the at least one user-health test function output with the brain activity measurement data.

Abstract: A hearing screener apparatus is disclosed and may include a housing and a testing probe operatively coupled to the housing. The testing probe may generate electrical signals based on otoacoustic emissions of the inner ear of a test subject, when the testing probe is inserted into the ear canal of the test subject. The hearing screener apparatus may also include a housing, a digital signal processor (DSP) within the housing, and a testing probe operatively coupled to the housing. The DSP may generate measurement data based on the electrical signals. At least one microphone may be mounted with the testing probe for generating the electrical signals based on the otoacoustic emissions. The testing probe may be vibrationally isolated from the housing. The testing probe may be elastically coupled to the housing. The hearing screener apparatus may also include an isolation body elastically coupled between the testing probe and the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rehabilitating patients and assessing tactile skills in response to visual stimuli generated from a portable neural training device. The device generates a visual output to elicit tactile response (hand movement) from the patient. The device preferably automatically adjusts the difficulty of a session in response to demonstrated patient skill level (i.e. combination of correct responses, speed, and accuracy of responses). The invention evaluates and challenges the patient to control tactile response, overcome visual perception difficulties, or practice simple multi-tasking or reasoning skills. The invention also provides information which is valuable to those administering the rehabilitation program or assessing patient skill and/or progress. By way of example the neural training device is described with an embodiment having discrete fixed keys and an embodiment utilizing a touch sensitive display screen.

Abstract: A physiological measurement device (10) that concurrently measures a physiological state of an individual and determines an identity of the individual includes at least a measurement component (12), an identification component (14), and processing component (16). The measurement component (12) measures the physiological state of the individual, and the identification component (14) concurrently determines the identity of the individual. The processing component (16) associates the physiological state of the individual with the identity of the individual.

Abstract: A hearing device fitting device that includes a computing device (3), connected on an input side with a connection (E3) for data entry and on an output side with a connection (A3) for a hearing device. The hearing device fitting device further includes an audio storage medium play-back unit having a control input (E9) connected to a computing device (3) output and having an audio output (A3) connectable to a loud speaker unit (11) input. The device supports a method a method for fitting the hearing device in situ by applying the hearing device to an individual; subjecting the individual to an audio test signal; having the individual appraise said audio test signal; and automatically selecting, in dependency of said appraising, a subsequent audio test signal.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the measurement device may comprise a pair of coils for measuring the magnetic field generated by an implanted actuator utilized to simulate the middle ear of a patient. The magnetic field strength is directly related to the amount of current passing through the actuator. In turn, such current is inversely related to the electrical impedance present at the implanted actuator. Such electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the implanted actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: System and method for conducting a hearing test that is accessible to a mass market of individuals with potential hearing loss. The hearing test is stored on a centrally located computer (140) that is accessible via communications device (121). The system provides step-by-step guidance on the next steps to be taken if hearing loss is found, and provides a means to store and organize the user test data to create a means for reuse of the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing acoustical properties of an outer ear 130, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first acoustic signal 125 towards the outer ear 130, receiving a second acoustic signal 150 from the outer ear 130, and characterizing acoustical properties 165 of the outer ear on the basis of the second acoustic signal 150. The method is characterized in that the first acoustic signal 125 comprises at least one of the following elements: music, and speech. The present invention further relates to a method and apparatus for enrolling, authenticating and identifying a person on the basis of acoustical properties of an outer ear 130.

Abstract: Method for accurately measuring hearing loss includes the steps of selecting a series of audio tones within the normal range of hearing (502) and then measuring a relative sensitivity of a test subject with respect to the ability to hear each of the audio tones, exclusive of the effects of tinnitus. (504, 506, 508, 510, 512) The relative sensitivity of the test subject to hear the tones can be measured by determining (510) for each tone an intensity necessary for the test subject to hear the tones at a subjectively equal loudness level which is selected to exceed a perceived level of noise attributable to tinnitus for the test subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining and registering the Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”). Particularly, the ECR refers to the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and the intracochlear residual tissue located in the neighborhood of an intracochlear stimulation electrode, when an external sound is presented to a Cochlear Implant user, human or animal. Applicants recognize that an ECR can be thought of as a far-field electrical potential registered on the scalp of an implanted patient. Applicants, through their method and apparatus, can extract that potential from the patient's spontaneous electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and measure it by using an averaging algorithm. The Electrical Cochlear Response can be applied for adaptation, calibration, performance evaluation and failure detection of the Cochlear Implant of the implanted patient.

Abstract: Method and System for characterizing an incident pressure wave in a hearing test. The method includes introducing a sound signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude into an ear canal, measuring at least a sound pressure level (Pm) in the ear canal, processing information associated with the sound pressure level, obtaining at least an acoustic reflectance (R) based on information associated with the sound pressure level, and determining an incident wave pressure parameter (P+) in the ear canal according to the following formula: P + = P m 1 + R .

Abstract: An audiogram classification system is provided. The classification system includes categories for configuration, severity, site of lesion and/or symmetry of an audiogram. A set of rules can be provided for selecting the categories, wherein the set of rules ignore one or more local irregularities on an audiogram and have been validated to maximize agreement with judges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for objective verification of auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) in the time domain whereby the individual epochs are transformed into the frequency domain. The response can be made free from noise of the asynchronous EEG in the frequency domain; the amplitudes of the spectral lines, which contain only noise, are set at zero, and the spectral lines of the harmonics remain uninfluenced. The altered spectrum is subsequently transformed back into the time domain.

Abstract: A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Abstract: This patent relates to an apparatus and method for assessing a subject's hearing by recording steady-state auditory evoked responses. The apparatus generates a steady-state auditory evoked potential stimulus, presents the stimulus to the subject, senses potentials while simultaneously presenting the stimulus and determines whether the sensed potentials contain responses to the stimulus. The stimulus may include an test signals having a number of different components and modulations. The apparatus may further perform a number of objective audiological tests. The apparatus is further adapted to perform multi-modality testing in which more than one sensory modality of the subject is tested simultaneously.

Abstract: An audiometer system (100) includes a user (105), a sound room (110), a Speaker (115), a pair of headphones (120), a pair of leads (125) and (130), a button (135), and an audiometer (140). User (105) is an individual on whom a hearing test is to be administered. User (105) is an individual on whom a hearing test is to be administrated. User (105) wears headphones (120) in sound room (100). An audiologist conducts a Hearing test by operating audiometer (150). Audiometer (140) produces a hearing test by operating audiometer (140). Audiometer (140) produces the required tones at the desires frequency and amplitudes, according to adjustments made to frequency adjust (150) and amplitude adjusts (150). Frequency adjust (145) and amplitude adjust (150) can be rotary or push button adjustments.

Abstract: A system for testing a subject's cognition and motor timing includes an actuator, a sensor and a computer. The actuator is configured to present to the subject multiple stimuli, including predictable stimuli and non-predictable (e.g., random or pseudo-random) stimuli. The sensor generates sensor signals associated with the subject responding to the stimuli. The computer stores timing values associated with the sensor signals for a plurality of the sequences of stimuli, and analyzes the timing values to determine if the subject has an anticipatory timing impairment. The system may also be configured to provide feedback signals to the user, in which case the system also functions as cognition timing and motor training system.

Abstract: System and method for diagnosing hearing loss in an individual using a self-executable, interactive electronic hearing loss diagnosis apparatus including a data storage media and a media player for accessing data on the media. The diagnostic apparatus provides hearing loss diagnostic data to the individual in the form of coded data. A hearing loss professional can use the coded data to further diagnose the hearing loss of the individual.

Abstract: A system and method of deception detection is disclosed wherein T trials are combined with P and I trials. Denoted as the complex trial (CT) protocol, in one embodiment, the beginning of each trial is indicated by the onset of a stimulus which is either a P or I, which remains on the display terminal for particular random (unpredictable to the subject) time period. At the expiration of the period, the stimulus remains on the screen, but is altered/augmented in some way, such as by color change. The subject has been instructed that if the color change is to green, for example, the trial is a target trial, and the subject should make a “yes” (target) response. If the color is anything else (e.g., red, blue, yellow), the subject must give a “no” (non-target) response. Accordingly, in the CT protocol, the subject must attend even more intensely than in prior 3-stimulus protocols to the probe-irrelevant attribute (i.e.

Abstract: A portable audiometer for performing hearing testing enclosed within a patient response mechanism housing is disclosed. The audiometer may include a printed circuit board containing circuitry, plugs or other connectors for wired or wireless headphones and bone conductor, a battery charging unit, and one or more buttons for indicating response to pure tone and other stimuli, including, but not limited to noise, speech, and visual and audio instructions and graphical representations of objects or concepts used in a comprehensive hearing test. The instrument can be connected via a wired or wireless interface to a variety of controlling devices, including PC's, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones, smartphones, including hybrid phone and PDA, and other devices such as media players, gaming systems, personal audio players, and other devices that can operatively communicate with the portable device.

Abstract: A graphical interface is provided to select parameters for fitting a hearing device. The graphical interface provides means visually representing and controlling values of these parameters using a common reference axis for multiple parameters related by a programmable constraint. The common reference multiple parameter structures convey information to a user about the interactions between parameters and the limits of the parameters. Further, parameters related by a constraint relation are displayed on graphical structures having a common path, such that movement of a slider representing a parameter can be limited within the bounds of the programmed constraints. Such limited movement is visually conveyed to the user allowing the user to make appropriate adjustment to remain within the limits of the constraint while programming a hearing device for improving performance.

Abstract: Tinnitus is defined as sound(s) heard by an individual when no external sound is present and often takes the form of a hissing, ringing, chirping or clicking sound which may be either intermittent or constant. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus affects tens of millions of Americans and many suffer so severely from tinnitus they are not able to function normally on a daily basis. Unfortunately the exact cause or causes of tinnitus are not understood by the medical community and thus many tinnitus sufferers are told by their doctors to “learn to live with it”. In accordance with novel aspects of Applicant's monofrequency tinnitus patient treatment apparatus and process, phase cancellation effects are achieved by utilizing an externally generated sound which is subjectively selected by the monofrequency tinnitus patient to match in both tone and loudness his or her tinnitus sound.

Abstract: A system and method for preserving temporal and spatial resolution in complex sounds for poor performing patients having high stimulation thresholds is described. The system and method employs two or more adjacent electrode contacts to deliver concurrent stimulation. This concurrent delivery of stimuli creates a high current field intensity that overlaps between individual current fields generated by the two or more adjacent electrodes and which individual fields are summed to create an overlapping field that has a higher current field intensity than a single current emanating from an individual electrode. The use of this method reduces or eliminates the need to increase either the stimulus current amplitude or to increase the pulse width, both of which may cause loss of system resolution, i.e., loss of fine structure information that is used to resolve complex sounds such as music.

Abstract: The invented apparatus for testing a subject's vestibular response to ear pressure or sound stimuli includes a headset including one or more and preferably (two) bilateral ear-worn devices such as headphones or probes, whereby each probe is configured to be inserted into a subject's ear in an operational alignment with the subject's ear canal and sealing engagement with the wall of the subject's ear canal, and a stimulus-producing mechanism operatively coupled with the headset configured to deliver defined pressure or sound stimuli to the one or more probes. The apparatus further includes one or both of 1) an ocular response analyzer operatively coupled to the headset, the ocular response analyzer measuring the subject's nystagmatic response to the stimuli by electronic, e.g.

Abstract: For a hearing-impaired person provided with a hearing aid device with which sound acquisition ensues outside of the auditory canals of the person, the localization capability with regard to a signal source is lost. To compensate the information loss that occurs due to the acquisition of an acoustic signal outside of the auditory canals, in the signal processing in the hearing aid device of an acoustic input signal acquired by at least one microphone of the hearing aid device, the transfer function of the head or of the external ear is taken into account between the position at which the microphone is located and a position in the auditory canal of the hearing device user. The natural location capability of a person to localize a signal source in space thus is not lost given treatment with a hearing aid device that is not worn in the auditory canal.

Abstract: An exemplary method of fitting a coeblear implant system to a patient includes establishing an implant fitting line having a slope and a position. The implant fitting line represents a relationship between a number of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient and a number of corresponding audio frequencies. That is, the implant fitting line defines which locations along the length of the cochlea, when stimulated, are perceived by the patient as specific tones or frequencies. The method further includes presenting a first audio signal having a number of audio frequencies to the patient and applying a stimulus current to one or more stimulation sites corresponding to the number of audio frequencies of the first audio signal. The method further includes adjusting the slope of the fitting line based on a response of the patient to the stimulus current.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for a multimedia user interface for an automated diagnostic hearing test. The user interface provides a means for a patient to interact with the automated hearing test to complete each test. The patient is given instructions and guidance for every test, and can call the operator at any point for help. Warning messages and progress indicators are provided to help the patient gauge his progress. Such an arrangement allows the patient to test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professional. The user interface also allows the operator to configure the automated hearing test as needed.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for rotation test stimulus and analysis methods overcome many of the limitations of traditional clinical tests of peripheral vestibular function. An embodiment includes a rotational stimuli applied to the rotational motion for testing that includes two separate components, a bias component and a probe component. The bias component for rotational motion is designed to temporarily turn off vestibular responses in one ear while the responsiveness in the opposite ear is simultaneously evaluated using the probe component of the stimulus. Responses from application of these stimuli are analyzed by isolating and separating the bias response from the probe response. The bias and probe component responses are parameterized by applying curve fits of mathematical functions to the isolated bias and probe component responses. These parameters characterize the patient's vestibular function.

Abstract: A hearing test device and method are disclosed which involve the placement of a testing probe in the ear canal of a test subject. The device analyzes responses to stimuli applied to the ear canal to determine whether the testing probe has been properly placed in the ear canal. The device may determine, for example, whether the probe is stable, whether it is sealed in the ear canal, whether the resulting volume of the ear canal is acceptable, and/or whether the stimuli delivery system is blocked in any way. If the device determines that the testing probe has been properly placed in the ear canal, the device automatically starts a hearing test without requiring any operator input.

Abstract: An interface adapted for use with an audiometer, including a digital wireless interface supported by a base unit and a remote unit wherein the base unit receives signals from the audiometer and provides the signals to the remote unit via the digital wireless interface.

Abstract: A system for conducting multiple diagnostic hearing tests is disclosed. The system comprises a yoke wearable around the neck of a patient, for providing a housing for conduits and wiring to conduct the hearing tests. The yoke may also coupled to one or more ear probes for engaging the ear of the patient, and to at least one microphone for measuring ambient noise during at least a portion of a hearing test.

Abstract: The aim is to simplify resource planning in a clinic or by a hearing aid technician. For this purpose, an audiometer and a method for operating an audiometer are proposed in which, following a simple hearing test, in addition to information as to whether treatment of a user with a hearing aid is necessary, the presence of any hearing-loss class in which the user can be grouped is also shown. In this way, the expense with regard to time, materials and personnel required for matching a hearing aid to a particular user can be more easily estimated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the reactivity observable in a certain physiological signal, especially the EEG signal, of a comatose subject. In order to obtain an objective and a reliable measure of the reactivity automatically and without the presence of a trained EEG specialist, a time reference corresponding to a stimulus is detected and the physiological signal data obtained from the subject is aligned with the time reference. Two sets of values are determined for a measure indicative of the amount of irregularity in the physiological signal data, both sets including at least one value of the said measure and having defined positions with respect to the time reference in time domain. Based on the two sets, the apparatus determines whether reactivity is present in the physiological signal data.

Abstract: A method and device for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated DPOAE I/O functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested using a device having a display screen attached to a handheld device generating and collecting otoacoustic emission signals and brain stem response signals into a programmed with a clinical audiogram with fitting parameters for hearing aids calculated on the basis of assessed hearing threshold and compression and identifying the type of hearing required for the individual.

Abstract: A procedure for diagnosing cochlear hydrops is based, in part, on an analysis of the patient's auditory brainstem response (ABR) to stimuli. The patient's ABR to a broadband click stimulus is recorded. A plurality of masked ABR's are also recorded, wherein the stimulus is masked by high-pass noise with a plurality of high-pass cut-off frequencies. The latency difference between the wave V component in the unmasked click alone response and the undermasked wave V component of a low cut-off frequency high-pass response is then calculated. If an undermasked component is not present, the normal wave V component is used. The measured latency difference is combined with another measure, such as the wave V amplitude ratio. A distribution of the combined measure is then plotted for the population and a threshold established for diagnosing cochlear hydrops. Alternatively, the joint distribution of the individual measures may be used in situations where the individual measures are known to be independent.

Abstract: In a method for individualized training of hearing aid users a number of hearing training courses are stored in a databank. An individual user profile is acquired in a training device. A transmission of the hearing training data from the databank to the training device and/or vice versa ensues via a data network before or during the implementation of the hearing training. The training thus ensues adapted to the respective user profile by means of one or more individualized hearing training courses.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining hearing ability related data from a subject outputs tones or sounds and monitors the subject's responses to the tones or sounds. An error condition is detected based on the responses, and corrective instructions are automatically delivered based on the error condition detected. The hearing evaluation is resumed by outputting tones or sounds, and the steps of outputting, monitoring, detecting, automatically delivering and resuming are iterated until evaluation of the subject's hearing has been completed.