A personal direction finding apparatus for sensing electromagnetic, infrared or ultrasound radiation from a source (S) to determine the direction of the source or generate a virtual sound environment. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a radiation sensing device (1) worn on the user's head (2) for generating a signal having a variable characteristic depending on the direction (R) of the source (S) relative to the sensing device (1), i.e. the position of the user's head, a receiver (4) optionally provided as a demodulator, a direction signal processing circuit (5) outputting a control signal (x) indicating the angular deviation (a) between the direction of the source (S) and the current position of the sensing device (1), i.e. the user's viewing axis, and two earphones (3d, 3g) placed over the user's ears and connected to the output of the processing circuit (5).

A hearing evaluation and hearing aid fitting system provides a fully immersive three-dimensional acoustic environment to evaluate unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing function of an individual. Digital filtering of signal sources representing speech and other sound stimuli according to selected models and signal processing parameters, such as audio sources, spatializing coordinates, acoustic boundaries, hearing aid simulations, and individualized transfer functions synthesizes a simulated acoustic condition for presentation to an individual for objective and subjective hearing evaluation. An intra-canal prosthesis incorporating a microphone probe is positioned in the ear canal to measure in-the-ear-canal responses at a common reference point near the tympanum during unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing evaluation to provide measurements that directly correlate across all phases of hearing assessment during hearing aid fitting. A virtual electroacoustic audiometer computes hearing aid prescription based on unaided evaluation results and various reference measurements including in-the-ear canal responses to acoustic stimuli. The system synthesizes signals reflecting the combination of an audio signal model, spatialization model, and acoustic boundary model, as well as hearing aid model in the case of simulated aided condition. Once an optimal simulated hearing aid model is selected, based on a number of criteria including optimal performance, sound, restoration, listening preference, type, size, controls, and life-style factors, a detailed hearing aid specification is derived and provided to the dispenser/manufacturer for assembly. A modular hearing aid according to the results of such hearing assessment is also provided that includes highly configurable electroacoustic and electronic signal processing elements.

A personal direction finding apparatus for determining the direction to be followed in order to reach a predetermined spot which includes a headset provided with two earphones and a circuit for generating a track error signal. The circuit includes a compass supported on the headset for outputting a heading signal corresponding to the heading of the direction of travel, a receiver for a position location and navigation system outputting a signal for the heading to be followed via one output, and a track error computing circuit.

A hearing evaluation and hearing aid fitting system provides a fully immersive three-dimensional acoustic environment to evaluate unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing function of an individual. Digital filtering of one or more signal sources representing speech and other audiologically significant stimuli according to selected models and digitally controlled signal processing parameters, including audio sources, spatializing coordinates, acoustic boundaries, signals representing one or more simulated hearing aids, and individualized body/external ear transfer functions synthesizes a simulated acoustic condition for presentation to a hearing-impaired person for objective and subjective hearing evaluation via an intra-canal prosthesis that is positioned in the ear canal, and that incorporates a microphone probe to measure in-the-ear-canal responses at a common reference point near the tympanic membrane during unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing evaluation, thus providing measurements that are directly correlated across all phases of hearing assessment during the fitting process of a hearing aid. A virtual electroacoustic audiometer computes the electroacoustic parameters of a hearing aid based on the results of unaided audiometric evaluation and reference measurements that include the individual's acoustic responses near the tympanic membrane to acoustic stimuli in three-dimensional acoustic space. The system then synthesizes acoustic signals reflecting the combined selection of audio signal model, spatialization model, acoustic boundaries model, as well as computed hearing aid model in the case of simulated aided condition.

A hearing evaluation and hearing aid fitting system provides a fully immersive three-dimensional acoustic environment to evaluate unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing function of an individual. Digital filtering of one or more signal sources representing speech and other audiologically significant stimuli according to selected models and digitally controlled signal processing parameters, including audio sources, spatializing coordinates, acoustic boundaries, signals representing one or more simulated hearing aids, and individualized body/external ear transfer functions synthesizes a simulated acoustic condition for presentation to a hearing-impaired person for objective and subjective hearing evaluation via an intra-canal prosthesis that is positioned in the ear canal, and that incorporates a microphone probe to measure in-the-ear-canal responses at a common reference point near the tympanic membrane during unaided, simulated aided, and aided hearing evaluation, thus providing measurements that are directly correlated across all phases of hearing assessment during the fitting process of a hearing aid. A virtual electroacoustic audiometer computes the electroacoustic parameters of a hearing aid based on the results of unaided audiometric evaluation.