Individuals with hearing loss need to have ready access to hearing screenings, assessments, treatment, and consultation. This diagnostic technology facilitates early detection and intervention of hearing loss. It allows for improved monitoring and expands service scope, reach, and access. By reducing or eliminating travel times, it is also a more efficient utilization of time for audiologists and professional staff. The tele-hearing device and protocol provides clinicians the tools and the ability to remotely assess, diagnose, and remedy hearing loss. This is accomplished either directly or indirectly by facilitating assistance to other less experienced clinicians remotely.

This system offers methods and devices that acquire and analyze data from an auditory system through Web-based biotelemetry. The system can acquire full sets of data including auditory thresholds, otacoustic emissions, middle ear compliance and pressure, and acoustic reflex response.

The system acquires and analyzes data from the devices interacting with patients situated in a remote location through Web-based biotelemetry. The remote test location can be an industrial office, related medical facility, elderly care facility, or primary residence. The administrative or expert site can be a medical center, clinic, university, or other location where one or more clinicians administer the test.

The specific features of the “telemedicine” system include:

  • Data processing to provide control and communication with an expert site.
  • Tone generator configured to generate desired continuous or pulse frequency.
  • Output device (over the ear, in the ear, or conventional headphone).
  • Input device for patient response (voice or manual).
  • Microphone to record and analyze ambient background noise.
  • A video link for clinician to monitor patient response.
  • Electrophysiological testing.
  • Single- or multiple-use in-the-ear probe assemblies.
  • Network can be LAN, WAN, or Internet.
  • The local system can be linked to a local PC.
  • The local system can be an inexpensive, portable, self-contained device.

The system enables remote testing or pre-testing prior to complete physical exams, and facilitates the possibility of a mobile facility (e.g. Blood-mobile) that can travel to remote sites for testing (i.e., manufacturing sites, military service locations, nursing homes).

This technology is offered by Competitive Tech nologies Inc. For more information, click here  to view the yet2.com TechPak.