Occlusion meter and associated method for measuring the occlusion of an occluding object in the ear canal of a subject
US5577511A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/15
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An instrument for measuring the degree of occlusion of an occluding object, such as an earmold, in the ear canal of a subject is set forth that overcomes the problems associated with prior art devices. The instrument includes a first microphone for transducing sound waves exterior to the ear canal into electrical signals and a first microphone for transducing sound waves within the ear canal into electrical signals. These electrical signals are respectively supplied to first and second logarithmic amplifiers. The first logarithmic amplifier is connected to receive the electrical signals from the first microphone and has a DC output signal that is logarithmically related to the peak amplitude value of the electrical signals received from the first microphone. The second logarithmic amplifier is connected to receive the electrical signals from the second microphone and has a DC output signal that is logarithmically related to the peak amplitude value of the electrical signals received from the second microphone. The DC output signals are supplied to a DC meter. The DC meter may be analog, digital, or may be a video display that provides a visual indication of the difference between t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.