Systems, devices, and methods for determining hearing ability and treating hearing loss
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, an audio system can generate parametrically formulated noise signals. According to an embodiment, an audio system can both determine the hearing ability of an individual and increase the hearing ability of the individual by using parametrically formulated noise. According to an embodiment, an audio system can generate parametrically formulated noise having a power spectrum amplitude that is a function of an individual's hearing threshold across a range of frequencies as measured using parametrically formulated noise test signals.
1. A pulsing parametric noise generator, comprising:
a memory device, wherein the memory device stores a first series of values corresponding to the amplitude of a first periodic wave having a first frequency sampled according to a first sampling rate over a first period of time, a second series of values corresponding to the amplitude of a second periodic wave having a second frequency sampled according to the first sampling rate over a second period of time, and a third series of values corresponding to levels for amplitude modification; and,
a processor coupled to the memory device and configured to recursively make a random selection between the first periodic wave and the second periodic wave and output a parametrically formulated noise signal comprising the series of values corresponding to the randomly selected periodic signal, wherein a power spectrum of the parametrically formulated noise signal has a substantially uniform amplitude between the first frequency and the second frequency, and wherein the processor is further configured to modify the amplitude of the parametrically formulated noise signal using the third series of values so as to have a pulsing amplitude with alternating periods of greater amplitude and diminished amplitude and output such a pulsating parametrically formulated noise signal.
2. The pulsing parametric noise generator of claim 1 , wherein the pulsing amplitude of the pulsating parametrically formulated noise signal diminishes in amplitude over time.
3. The pulsing parametric noise generator of claim 1 , wherein the pulsing amplitude of the pulsating parametrically formulated noise signal increases in amplitude over time.
4. The pulsing parametric noise generator of claim 1 , further comprising a speaker coupled to receive the pulsating parametrically formulated noise signal and generate a parametrically formulated noise sound to a user.
5. The pulsing parametric noise generator of claim 4 , further comprising a user interface configured to allow the user to identify the occurrence of a test event.