AARON R THORNTON
Audiology in West Des Moines, IA
License number
Massachusetts 211
Issued Date
Jan 6, 1984
Expiration Date
Jan 6, 2002
Type
Audiologist
Address
Address
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Professional information
Method And Apparatus For Minimally Invasive Placement Of Sensing And Driver Assemblies To Improve Hearing Loss
US Patent:
7297101, Nov 20, 2007
Filed:
Jan 17, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/332981
Inventors:
Johann J. Neisz - Coon Rapids MN, US
Eric Kraus - Greensboro NC, US
Michael Glasscock - Austin TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
John F. Kveton - Branford CT, US
Eric Kraus - Greensboro NC, US
Michael Glasscock - Austin TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
John F. Kveton - Branford CT, US
Assignee:
Envoy Medical Corporation - Minneapolis MN
International Classification:
H04R 25/00
US Classification:
600 25
Abstract:
Methods and structures for placing sensing and driver assemblies in a middle ear of a patient are disclosed. Methods and structures according to various embodiments of the invention provide minimally invasive techniques and devices that facilitate placement of sensing/driver assemblies in a middle ear using a trans-canal implantation technique. Certain embodiments include placement of a longitudinal body through the ear canal for mounting in the middle ear, and for supporting a sensing/driving assembly subsequently coupled thereto.
Simultaneous Stimulation Of An Auditory System
US Patent:
6743183, Jun 1, 2004
Filed:
Apr 17, 2002
Appl. No.:
10/124154
Inventors:
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA
Assignee:
Massachusetts Eye Ear Infirmary - Boston MA
International Classification:
A61B 500
US Classification:
600559, 600544
Abstract:
A method for measuring an electrophysiologic response of a sensory system includes stimulating the sensory system with a first stimulus train having stimuli temporally separated from each other by a first inter-stimulus interval and simultaneously stimulating the sensory system with a second stimulus train having stimuli temporally separated from each other by a second inter-stimulus interval different from the first inter-stimulus interval. A response signal is then sampled at a first frequency corresponding to the first inter-stimulus interval, thereby obtaining a first response train. The first response train is then processed to suppress a contaminant caused by the second stimulus train.
Determining Masking Levels In An Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test
US Patent:
7018342, Mar 28, 2006
Filed:
May 16, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/439982
Inventors:
Jeffrey S. Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Assignee:
Tympany, Inc. - Stafford TX
International Classification:
A61B 5/00
US Classification:
600559
Abstract:
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
Speech Discrimination In Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test
US Patent:
7288071, Oct 30, 2007
Filed:
May 16, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/439480
Inventors:
Jeffrey S. Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Assignee:
Tympany, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT
International Classification:
A61B 5/00
US Classification:
600559
Abstract:
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
Stenger Screening In Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test
US Patent:
2007012, Jun 7, 2007
Filed:
Aug 31, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/469457
Inventors:
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Jeffrey Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Christopher Wasden - Salt Lake City UT, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginea Beach VA, US
Jeffrey Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Christopher Wasden - Salt Lake City UT, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginea Beach VA, US
Assignee:
TYMPANY, INC. - Salt Lake City UT
International Classification:
A61B 5/00
US Classification:
600559000
Abstract:
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing. The patient is instructed and prompted for inputs and responses as needed. The patient and/or operator can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Stenger screening is automatically performed for some patients based on the difference in pure tone frequency air conduction thresholds. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects and compensates for ambient noise in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
Patient Management In Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test
US Patent:
7132949, Nov 7, 2006
Filed:
May 16, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/439692
Inventors:
Jeffrey S. Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Assignee:
Tympany, Inc. - Houston TX
International Classification:
G08B 23/00
US Classification:
3405731, 340506, 73585
Abstract:
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
Automated Diagnostic Hearing Test
US Patent:
7695441, Apr 13, 2010
Filed:
May 15, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/439958
Inventors:
Jeffrey S. Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Barry Strasnick - Virginia Beach VA, US
Kenneth R. Stott - Sugar Land TX, US
Assignee:
Tympany, LLC - The Woodlands TX
International Classification:
A61B 5/00
US Classification:
600559
Abstract:
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
System And Methods For Conducting Multiple Diagnostic Hearing Tests
US Patent:
7465277, Dec 16, 2008
Filed:
May 15, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/438738
Inventors:
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugarland TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Jeff Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Jon Birck - Portland OR, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Jeff Harrison - Palo Alto CA, US
Jon Birck - Portland OR, US
Assignee:
Tympany, LLC - The Woodlands TX
International Classification:
A61B 5/00
US Classification:
600559
Abstract:
Systems and methods for conducting multiple diagnostic hearing tests are provided. The systems comprise an insertion probe for insertion into an ear of a patient, at least one transducer for providing test sounds to the ear of the patent through the insertion probe, and at least one transducer for transmitting test results from the ear of the patient. The systems are capable of conducting an audiometric test and at least one of an acoustic immittance test and an otoacoustic emission test. More preferably, the systems are capable of conducting an audiometric test, a tympanogram test, an acoustic reflex test, and an otoacoustic emission test using a single ear probe.
Apparatus For Bone Conduction Threshold Hearing Test
US Patent:
6964642, Nov 15, 2005
Filed:
May 15, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/438751
Inventors:
Christopher L. Wasden - Sugar Land TX, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Assignee:
Tympany, Inc. - Stafford TX
International Classification:
A61B005/00
US Classification:
600559, 73585, 381151, 381326
Abstract:
An apparatus for bone conduction hearing testing is provided. The apparatus comprises a planar spring having opposed first and second elements to which are coupled, respectively, a bone conduction vibrator and an engagement element. The bone conduction vibrator contacts a first head portion, preferably the forehead, and the engagement element contacts a second head portion, preferably the rear of the head. The spring preferably has a lenticular shape, and may be either biconvex or D-shaped.
Measurement Of Electrophysiologic Response
US Patent:
6968228, Nov 22, 2005
Filed:
Feb 27, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/376799
Inventors:
Aaron Thornton - West Des Moines IA, US
Assignee:
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary - Boston MA
International Classification:
A61B005/04
US Classification:
600544
Abstract:
A method for estimating an electrophysiologic response contained in a measured signal includes obtaining a plurality of samples and defining a plurality of bins, each of which corresponds to a range of values of a sorting parameter associated with each of the samples. Each sample of the measured signal is then classified into one of the bins on the basis of a value of a sorting parameter associated with that sample. Then, for each bin, a statistic indicative of samples classified into that bin is maintained. On the basis of these bin statistics, the desired electrophysiologic response can then be estimated.