A flexible, portable, versatile handheld platform that will be useful for a variety of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology applications.

Key Words: Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Hearing Loss Testing
 
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION: Our inventors developed a flexible, portable, versatile handheld platform that will be useful for a variety of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology applications. Specific components of this handheld platform include: an innovative high quality wireless headset interface with an integrated precision sound level controller for delivering and recording speech and audio stimuli; and software building blocks for audiometric signal generation, hearing aid simulation, and the display of temporal and spectral speech features. Identified applications for this handheld wireless device include audiometry, hearing aid simulation, and vocal function analyzer for SLP diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Hearing is crucial for communication, directly and indirectly influencing information exchange and social interaction. Hearing impairment afflicts some 10% of the general population across age levels, with the incidence and prevalence of hearing loss increasing with age. Similarly, about 6.5% of adults between ages 40 and 75 suffer from some form of a voice disorder, and an estimated 4% of the preschool children have a significant speech or language impairment. Accurate and comprehensive assessment of vocal and auditory function, appropriate prescription and fitting of a hearing device, and an effective speech and aural rehabilitation program are all crucial for enhancing the communicative ability and restoring good quality of life for affected persons.

POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES/USES: This technology is valuable as it provides a flexible, portable, versatile handheld platform that can be used for a number of applications. Some potential applications include, but are not limited to:

• Handheld wireless audiometer. This will allow audiologists to extend their service to potential patients in a wide range of different settings that are traditionally underserved, e.g. schools, nursing homes, etc.
• Vocal function analyzer. Speech Language Pathologists can use this to assess the vocal function and to prescribe a course of therapy. Musicians can use this application to monitor their voice and also during vocal warmup exercises.
• Hearing aid simulator. The provision of a handheld hearing aid simulator will allow hearing impaired listeners to evaluate various DSL settings in real world conditions. This reduces the return-rates on the hearing aids and several visits to the audiologist for fine-tuning.

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE: Protocol developed. 

Reference Number: UWO-AF-021

Preclinical

U.S. provisional patent application filed

This is available for licensing, and a collaborative research approach involving the inventor would also be considered.