Device and process for generating and measuring the shape of an acoustic

Abstract

A device and a process for analysis of an ear directs into the ear acoustic waves Measurements may be made without pressurizing the ear canal and contact between the device and the ear does not need to be air-tight. The patient experiences essentially no discomfort from use of the device. The device detects the reflected waves to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The shape of a region of the acoustic reflectance curve is electronically measured in order to obtain an indicator of ear condition which is substantially independent of a line of sight between a sound source and the ear. This indicator may be based on a measurement of the resonance characteristic, or freedom of motion, of the tympanic membrane or other ear component being analyzed. One such measurement is the rate of change of the acoustic reflectance with respect to frequency. The rate of change measured around the null may be presented as an angle measurement, a gradient or slope measurement, a width measurement, or other form of measurement of the shape of the null. The steepest slopes on either side of a null may be used to define an angle. Diagnosis of an ear pathology, such as abnormal pressure or presence of fluid in the middle ear or conductive hearing loss, may be based on this measure alone.