1. Introduction to the 7000 Hearing Aid Test System
By: Kristina Frye
Frye Electronics, Inc.

2. Outline Real-ear Measurements Coupler Measurements
Entering an Audiogram
Real-ear SPL measurements
Visible Speech
Insertion Gain
Coupler Measurements
ANSI
Coupler Multicurve
Advanced Coupler: Enhanced DSP, Attack & Release, I/O, Battery Current

3. Open Fit Hearing Aids
Some Open Fit hearing aids interfere with the reference microphone measurements outside the ear.
Disable the Reference Microphone in the local menu to perform real-ear on these hearing aids.
Noise Reduction on analyzer may interfere with anti-feedback phase shifting technology. Turn OFF noise red (comp)
Real-ear targets may prescribe low frequency amplification unsuitable for open fit hearing aids.

4. Real-Ear Navigation Screen
Use the function keys to enter a screen
F1 — Audiogram Entry
Enter the Real-ear Navigation screen by pressing F2 from the Opening screen. You use this screen to enter any of the five real-ear screens. Press EXIT from this screen to go back to the Opening screen.
F3 — Insertion Gain
F4 — Real-ear SPL
F5 — Visible Speech

5. Entering an audiogram Adjust amplitude Adjust frequency
Real-Ear SPL only
F1 — Select ear
F1 toggles between left and right ear. F2 toggles between the HTL and UCL selections. When NAL-NL1 is the selected fitting rule, F2 can also be used to select Bone. If bone values are not entered, predicted values are used. F3 is used to predict UCL values that are used in the real-ear SPL screen. The arrow keys are used to actually input the HTL and UCL values (UP/DOWN adjusts frequency. RIGHT/LEFT adjusts amplitude.) Real-ear target settings are located in the local menu.
F3 — Predict UCLs
F2 — Select HTL/UCL/Bone

6. Real-ear NOAH Module
Use the NOAH Module to easily import NOAH audiogram
Right-click to send audiogram

7. Real-Ear SPL screen Check low inputs are above thresholds
Check average inputs meet target
Check loud inputs are below UCLs
Auto-adjusting REUR shows amplification benefit at all levels
Gives overall look at hearing aid fitting
The SPL screen is a different method for performing real-ear measurements. It displays the patient's thresholds, target, and UCL values in dB SPL with the real-ear targets and measurements so you can get a complete look at the hearing aid fitting.

8. Real-ear SPL Test Screen
UCLs
Low, Mid, & High Targets
HTLs

9. NAL-NL1 Target Settings
Press MENU from Real-ear SPL screen to open local menu
Channels: 1-18
Aid Limit = Output limiting
Ref. Position = Leveling conditions

10. Real-ear NOAH Module
Use NOAH Module to send target settings

11. Step 1: Setup
Speaker should be inches from patient at 45 degree angle
Reference Mic
This is the basic real-ear setup. The sound field speaker should be placed about 12 inches from the patient at a 45 degree angle. The reference microphone is placed above the ear and the probe microphone is placed below the ear.
Probe Mic

12. Step 2: Level
LEVEL
Press the LEVEL button to level the sound field. Note: The probe microphone position doesn't matter for leveling; only the reference microphone is used.

13. Step 3: Unaided (optional)
Source Level
REUR
F4: Source Type
F2: Select Curve

14. Step 4: Aided @ 50 dB SPL Source Level
Notice the REUR automatically adjusts to the selected REAR
50 dB
F4: Source Type
F2: Select Curve

15. Step 5: 65 dB SPL
65 dB

16. Step 6: 80 dB SPL
80 dB

17. Step 7: REAR @ 90 dB with Burst

18. NOAH Real-ear Module
Use Get Curves to grab existing results from FONIX 7000

19. Using Real-ear Module Automatically uses latest NOAH audiogram
Send audiogram and target to analyzer to measure with analyzer controls. Use Get Curves to grab tests results
Or perform measurements using Windows controls

20. Audiometric Info tab
Confirm NOAH Audiogram has been imported

21. Target Settings
Check the target settings are correct

22. Test Setup Select Test Type Level Sound Field Speaker
Select Curve to Measure
Click Start

23. Real-ear SPL in NOAH Real-ear Module
Select SPL & Real-ear
Select curve to test
Level sound field
Start Test

24. REUR in NOAH Module
Test automatically advances to CRV 1: 50 dB SPL
Put hearing aid on patient
Click Start

25. REAR in NOAH Module
Test automatically advances to CRV 2: 65 dB SPL
Turn off other targets if desired by deselecting target boxes
Click Start to measure Curve 2

26. Completed Real-ear SPL Test

27. Fully Automatic Test
Run only selected curves

28. Fully Automatic Test Select the curves you want to measure
Select “Run Measurements Automatically”
Click Start

29. Visible Speech Use live speech signal Real-time response (during test)
Average response
Minimum and maximum response per frequency for the length of the test
HTLs
UCLs
SII
Reference microphone
All on one graph in dB SPL

30. Visible Speech: Before Test
UCLs
Targets
HTLs

31. Visible Speech: Test Results
UCLs
Max boundary
Avg Response
Speech Intelligibility Index
HTLs
This is an example of Visible Speech. The maximum, average, and minimum response of the aid to the live speech signal are shown. The HTLs and UCLs are also displayed, although in this case, the UCLs are higher than any test results and not displayed.
Min boundary
RMS Info gives important info about test

32. RMS Info in Visible Speech
Max = RMS of the maximum curve
Min = RMS of minimum curve
Avg = RMS of average curve
Ref = RMS of reference microphone (input)

33. Visible Speech without Max/Min
Press MENU to open local menu. Adjust Min/Max setting.

34. Visible Speech in Real-ear NOAH
Min/Max boundaries plus real-time curve
Set test to Real-ear SPL
Set Input Type to Visible Speech
Click Start
Visible Speech only available in CRV 1 and CRV 2

35. Insertion Gain features
Unaided measurement
Up to 4 aided measurements
Gives up to 4 insertion gain measurements
Operation similar to coupler screen
In the Insertion Gain screen, you can take an unaided measurement and up to four aided measurements.

36. Insertion Gain screen Target Insertion Gain Aided Select amplitude
F1 toggles between ears. F2 selects the curve to be tested. There are five possible curves — Unaided 1 and Aided 2-5. F3 is used to toggle the display of the curves on and off. F4 is used to delete curves. F5 is used to select the source type (Composite, Digital Speech, Pure-tone Normal, Short, Fast). The up and down arrow keys are used to adjust the amplitude of the source signal.
Unaided
F1 — Select ear
F2 — Select curve
F5 — Select source type

37. Unaided Measurement Peak at 3 kHz Amplitude
Unaided measurements are typically performed at 65 dB SPL with the Composite or Digital Speech signal. Use F2 to select REUR 1. Use F5 to select the input signal type. Use the up and down arrow keys to adjust the amplitude. Press START to begin the measurement and STOP to end it. It's important to insert the probe tube deeply enough so that the peak in the response happens at about 3 kHz and that the response at 6 kHz is not negative.
Negative response at 6 kHz shows probe tube could probably be inserted more deeply
F2 - REUR 1
F5 - DigSpeech

38. Aided/IG measurements
IG Target
IG curve
This is an example of an insertion gain measurement. The top graph shows the IG target and IG curve. The bottom graph shows the unaided and aided responses. When NAL-NL1 is selected, the target automatically adjusts to the current selected source, giving a target that is appropriate for the selected test conditions.
F2 — REAR 2

39. Multiple Aided/IG measures
You can make several different measurements at different levels in the Insertion Gain screen in order to check the compression characteristics of the hearing aid.

40. Testing Directionality
Directional Advantage
CRV 2 — Forward response
CRV 1 — Reverse response
You can use the insertion gain screen for a quick check of directionality. Perform the "unaided" measurement with the speaker positioned behind the patient. Perform the "aided" measurement with the speaker positioned in front of the patient. The "insertion gain" result is the directional advantage of the hearing aid.

41. Gain with Real-ear NOAH
Gain = Probe mic inside ear – Ref mic outside ear

42. Insertion Gain with NOAH
REIG = REAG – REUG. If REUG not measured, average curve used.

43. ANSI, Coupler Multicurve, Enhanced DSP, Battery, Attack & Release, I/O
Coupler Measurements
ANSI, Coupler Multicurve, Enhanced DSP, Battery, Attack & Release, I/O

44. Basic Coupler Measurements
Coupler measurements are usually made in two ways. Most commonly, people use the ANSI test sequence in order to run an array of different measurements and determine whether the hearing aid is meeting the manufacturing specifications according to the ANSI standard. The Coupler Multicurve screen can be used to perform coupler frequency response measurements using different types of source types and amplitudes for more real-world results.
The F4-F7 keys are user assignable, but, by factory default, F4 will take you to the ANSI 03 test screen.
Coupler Multicurve — F1
ANSI 03 — F4

45. ANSI 03 Settings Aid type Telecoil Frequencies Choose ear
Use the function keys to choose most used settings. Press MENU to open the local menu for additional settings. Press START to begin the test sequence.
Choose ear

46. ANSI 03 Results Max OSPL90-HFA OSPL90 Distortion FOG Response curve
EIN
Telecoil
Battery
current
Attack & Release
This an example of ANSI 03 test results.
I/O curves
Telecoil

47. Troubleshooter ANSI

48. Coupler Multicurve Features
Realistic frequency response measurements
Variety of signal types: Composite, Digital Speech, Pure-tone sweeps
Display 10 different curves simultaneously
Switch back and forth between gain and output. All curves translated.
The Coupler screen is generally used to obtain realistic frequency response measurements. You can use a variety of test signals and make up to 10 different measurements per ear.

49. Coupler Screen Operation
Amplitude
The function keys are used to make most selections. You can make 10 frequency response for each ear. F5 is used to select the source type. Choose between Composite, Digital Speech, or three types of pure-tone sweeps. The up-down arrow keys are used to select the curve amplitude.
Choose Ear
Select Curve
Source Type

50. Example
50 dB
60 dB
70 dB
80 dB
In this example, an aid was tested using the Composite signal at 50, 60, 70, and 80 dB SPL. Notice how as the input level goes up, the gain goes down. This demonstrates the aid is compressing.

51. Troubleshooter Coupler Multicurve

52. Testing Digital Aids Digital Speech Type of Composite signal
Modulated to allow testing of noise reducing digital aids
Used with ANSI or ICRA speech spectra
High-end digital hearing aids sometimes have technology designed to reduce noise or enhance speech. Typically, these aids listen for continuous noise in the environment and lower the gain of the aid at the offending frequencies. Unfortunately, the aid also treats standard test signals, such as the Composite or pure-tone sweeps, as noise in its environment. In order to be able to accurate test these aids, we developed a modulated version of the composite signal called Digital Speech. Digital Speech is randomly interrupted and thus tricks the hearing aid into "thinking" it is speech.

53. Example of digital aid test
Digital Speech
Composite
This noise reducing digital aid was tested with both the composite and the digital speech signal. Notice how the digital speech signal causes the aid to produce more gain. This is because the signal is modulated and doesn't cause the aid to go into noise reduction mode.

54. Testing Open Fit Hearing Aids
The Open Fit Coupler was designed to
Provide a realistic response for open fit hearing aids.
Provide an easy mechanism for attaching an open fit hearing aid to a coupler
The Open Fit Coupler is a non-standard sized coupler not designed to test to manufacturing specifications

55. Attaching the Open Fit Coupler
CRV 1 = Open Fit Coupler
CRV 2 = HA-1
CRV 3 = HA-2 w/attachment
CRV 4 = KEMAR

56. Testing Directionality
Use chamber design to perform “forward” and “reverse” measurements to obtain directional advantage
Chamber speaker mounted at 45 degree angle, pointing towards left side of chamber

57. Forward/Reverse Positioning
By positioning the hearing aid in the chamber in different configurations, it is possible to obtain the directional advantage of the hearing aid.
Forward positioning with hearing aid pointed towards sound chamber speaker
Reverse positioning with hearing aid pointed away from sound chamber speaker

58. Directional Advantage
Forward measurement
Reverse measurement
6 dB RMS Difference
Curves 1 and 2 represent the “forward” and “reverse” responses of the directional hearing aid.

59. Coupler Automation Set up own test sequence
Select signal type for each curve
Select signal amplitude for each curve
Add any desired pauses in test sequence
Save and auto load test sequence
If there are a standard set of measurements that you would like to perform on a number of aids, you can use the 7000 Test System to develop your own automated test sequence. You can program the signal type and signal amplitude for up to ten curves. In Fully-Automatic mode, the analyzer will run through all these curves without stopping except at pre-programmed pauses. In Semi-Automatic mode, you manually control the Start and Stop buttons, but the analyzer will automatically select the next curve for you.
If there is a test sequence that you would like to use frequently, you can set the analyzer to automatically load that test sequence. You can even set the analyzer to automatically be in Fully-Automatic or Semi-Automatic mode when entering the Coupler Multicurve screen.

60. Programming Auto Mode Help window w/instructions F6 — Program Mode
The F6 key is used to put the 7000 Test System into Program Mode. In Program Mode, you set up the source type, source level, and any other settings for each curve as usual. Afterwards each curve is set up, use the START or STOP keys to advance to the next curve — START tells the analyzer to advance without pausing when in fully-automatic mode. STOP tells the analyzer to advance to the next curve and pause.
F5 — Source Type
Amplitude
START
Advance to next curve without pause
Advance to next curve with pause
STOP

61. Example of Auto Test Digital Speech @ 50, 65, 80 dB
Pure-tone 90 dB
This is an example of a programmed automatic test sequence. Digital speech measurements were made at 50, 65, and 80 dB SPL. A pure-tone sweep was made at 90 dB SPL.
F6 — Fully Automatic mode

62. Saving and Loading Settings
Automatically load saved curve group and put analyzer in Auto Mode
After using the F6 key in the Coupler Multicurve screen to save the programmed curve group into permanent memory, go to the Coupler Default Settings screen to set the analyzer to automatically load the saved curve group and put the analyzer into Auto Mode (Fully or Semi-Automatic) upon entry into the Coupler Multicurve screen.
This means you could turn on your analyzer, enter Coupler Multicurve screen, and just press [START] to run your automatic test sequence. No other key presses are necessary.

63. Troubleshooter Profiler
Great for baseline testing… save time!

64. Advanced Coupler Battery Current [F1] Coupler I/O [F2]
Attack & Release [F3]
Enhanced DSP [F4]
Function key operations available in the Advanced Coupler Navigation Screen
From the Opening Screen, use [F3] to enter the Advanced Coupler Screen. There are four Advanced Coupler screens, as shown in this slide. Use F1-F4 to enter the test screen.

65. Battery Current Screen
Measure Battery Current as a function of frequency
Measure Battery Current as a function of amplitude
Estimate battery life of hearing aid
The Battery Current screen is used to determine if the hearing aid battery current varies by frequency and/or amplitude. It also estimates the battery life of the hearing aid.

66. Coupler I/O Test Results
Frequency
In the Coupler I/O screen, use the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to change the frequency. F5 is used to change the source type. Press START to run the I/O sweep.
F5: Source Type

67. Attack & Release Test Screen
Visual time graph of Attack and Release tests
Scale graphs independently to zoom in on results
Use Composite or Pure-tone
Choose any frequency from Hz in 100 Hz intervals
Customize amplitudes used in tests
The Attack & Release screen gives you detailed information on the attack and release behavior of the hearing aid. Time graphs are displayed of the aid’s response when going from a soft to loud signal (attack test), and when going from a loud to soft signal (release test). You can use any puretone signal between 200 and 8000 Hz in 100 Hz intervals, or you can use the Composite signal. The amplitudes of the “loud” and “soft” signals can also be customized in the local menu.

68. Attack & Release Results
Frequency
Zoom in on the attack and release test results by using the F6 and F7 key. This will allow you to see exactly what the aid is doing in response to changes in the amplitude of the source signal.
F5: Source type
F6 & F7: Change graph scales

69. Enhanced DSP
Designed to measure the "group delay" of a DSP aid. In other words, the actual digital processing time of a hearing aid.
0 ms for analog aids
1-12 ms for DSP
Great way to check if aid is analog or DSP
Also tests the "phase" of a hearing aid. This is useful for binaural fittings. Are the aids working together?
Enhanced DSP is one of the standard features of the 7000 Test System. It has two measurements: group delay and phase.

70. Technical Details: Group Delay
This is an abstract diagram of the process of performing the group delay measurement. The sound chamber delivers a single impulse to the aid. The analyzer measures the output from the aid of that impulse in order to determine how long it takes the aid to process the impulse.
An impulse signal is delivered to the hearing aid. The time of the maximum peak of the response is considered the group delay. The 7000 system delay is subtracted from this value to obtain the final measurement.

71. Technical Details: Phase
Phase measures the "pushing " and "pulling" of the vibrations of sound through the hearing aid circuit.
One pulse of a 1000 Hz cosine signal is delivered to the aid. This signal is 1 msec long. The first 20 msec of the aid's response to the signal is displayed in graphical format.

72. Example Group Delay Phase
This is an example of a typical pair of high-end digital aids. Notice the phase graphs are nearly identical. This is an indication the aids are in phase and working together properly.