Jin-Dong Kim

Development of Auto-Masking Puretone Audiometer supporting Multiple Modes

Puretone audiometer, which is a machine used for measuring the minimum hearing threshold, can be cost-effectively implemented using computer with sound card and software. In this paper, we describe a puretone audiometer which has been designed and implemented based on a general PC with sound card. It supports air conduction and bone conduction test taking with automatic masking. It also provides multiple modes consisted of self-test, auto-test and manual test mode. Such multiple modes makes it possible to use in various environments like as home and/or hospital. Through measure of waveform of output voltage and sound pressure, we verified that puretone audiometer of this paper properly operates.

Development of SISI Test Software based on PC

SISI(Short Increment Sensitivity Index) test is to identify recruitment phenomenon that is used to diagnose detailed lesion of sensory-neural hearing loss. This paper describes SISI test software implemented to personal computer(PC). This software supports two test modes, consisting of auto-mode and manual-mode, which are classified according to whether or not audiologist to lead test, thereby enabling cost effective test. In addition, it has been designed to perform automatic masking in case of necessity. And by supporting not only 1dB increment but also 2 and 5dB increment, SISI test program of this paper makes it possible to acquire more accurate test result.

Development of PC-Based Client/Server Puretone Audiometer supporting Multiple Subject Concurrently

Current puretone audiometer takes an operation model, so called face-to-face model, in which model an audiometrist assesses only one subject at a time. Such model results in high cost and long waiting time when there exist many patients. In order to solve such a disadvantage of face-to-face model, we have developed PC-based audiometer supporting client/server model, in which model one audiometrist is able to measure several subjects concurrently. This model has an architecture like that several PCs for subjects are connected to an audiometrist`s PC through LAN and each assessment process of subjects are displayed onto audiometrist`s monitor in real time. And if necessary, it makes possible for audometrist to adjust the assessment progress of particular subject like as a face to face model.

Development of Automatic Calibration System for PC-Based Pure Tone Audiometer

A pure tone audiometer should be able to produce both pure tone and masking noise with exact sound pressure level and frequency. For such purpose, it is unavoidable to periodically calibrates pure tone audiometer. However, manual acoustic calibration requires not only attention but also long time. It is possible to execute automatically calibration using software if it is PC-based pure tone audiometer. In this paper, we describe auto-calibration software for PC-based pure tone audiometer and dedicated sound level meter which has been implemented upon PC by us. To verify auto-calibration module, we examine whether output of PC-based audiometer calibrated through auto-calibration of this paper satisfies RETSPL of IEC or not.

Development of an Auto ABLB Test Software

ABLB(Alternate Binaural Loudness Balance) test is one of the medical assessments to diagnose detailed lesion of sensory-neural hearing loss based on a recruitment phenomenon. This paper describes an Auto ABLB test software. This software automatically decides test frequency and intensity of first test tone. And it supports an automatic algorithm that analyses the subject`s reponses in the current step and then decides intensity of tone provided in next step. Also, this software supports an interface to control and monitor subject`s ABLB test. The assessment result is represented by a ladder diagram. The output of this software has been verified using a digital oscilloscope.

The Effect on Intervention Program and Auditory-Perceptual Discrimination Feature of Postlingual Cochlear Implant Adults about Pathological Voice

In the present study, we investigated ability of recognition of auditory perception with regards to the quality of voice in postlingual CI adults and proposed a training program to improve within subject reliability. A prospective case-control study was conducted in adults with 7 postlingual deaf who received a CI surgery and 10 normal hearing controls. The pre and post test and training program included parameters of consensus auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice(CAPE-V) with pathological voice sample by using Alvin. In results of pre-post test for monitoring improvements of internal reliability for listeners via the training program, there was statistically significant difference in both test and group. There was statistically significant difference in internal reliability between pre-post test in the normal hearing group, the result was no significant in the CI group. The present study found that CI adults showed less ability in awareness of voice quality compared to normal hearing group. Also the training program improved pitch and loudness in CI adults.

Wild Fire Monitoring System using the Image Matching

In case of wild fire, early detection of wild fire is the most important factor in minimizing the damages. In this paper, we suggest an effective system that detects wild fire using a panoramic image from a single camera with PAN/TILT head. This enables the system to detect the size and the location of the fire in the early stages. After converting RGB image input to color YCrCb image, the differential image is used to detect changes in movement of the smoke to determine the regions which may be prone to forest fire. Histogram analysis of fire flame is used to determine the possibility of fire in the predetermined regions. In addition, image matching and SURF were used to create the panoramic image. There are many advantages in this system. First of all, it is very economical because this system needs only a single camera and a monitor. Second, it shows the live image of wide view through panoramic image. Third, this system can reduce the quantity of saved data by storing panoramic images.

An Extension of PC based B

The Bksy audiometer is used to determine not only hearing threshold but also assumption of recruit phenomenon and cause of disease. However, current Bksy audiometer takes an operational model, so called face-to-face model, in which model one audiometrist can assess only one subject at a time. As a result, the face-to-face model leads to high audiometrist`s labor cost and long waiting time when there exist many subjects. To improve such weakness, this paper extends PC based Bksy audiometer to support client/server model in which model one audiometrist enables to concurrently access several subjects. As providing capabilities such as real-time transfer of assessment result, video monitoring of subject and video chat, the same effect as face-to-face model but overcomes weakness of face-to-face model.

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Abstract In this paper, we describe client/server puretone audiometer supporting video chat. Our system makes it possible for one audiometrist to concurrently assess multiple subjects. An audiometrist in remote place can monitor assessment procedure through video and/or result of each assessment step. This system also provides a video chat facility to lead audiometrist without a hitch whenever there occurs any problem during assessment. The one-to-many model of this system makes subjects to reduce not only expense but also waiting time.

k

As using recruitment phenomenon, SISI test and Bekesy audiometry are employed to differentially diagnose both the cochlear hearing loss and the retrocochlear hearing loss. The main purpose of this study is to find out the sensitivity and specificity of the SISI test within the scope of 1 KHz to 4 KHz in diagnosing various types of hearing losses. In this study, the Bekesy audiometry was conducted for Bekesy audiograms of certain groups according to Jerger`s classification, which included persons with normal hearing and patients with hearing impairment. Subject persons of the SISI test were categorized into the several groups with normal hearing, mild hearing loss, moderate hearing loss, moderate-severe hearing loss and severe hearing loss, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of certain groups were evaluated according to the SISI scores of 20 % below, 25 65 %, and more than 70%. Also, the Bekesy audiometry is conducted on the several subject groups with normal hearing, mixed hearing loss, and sensori-neural hearing loss.