Hearing aid with improved localization
a hearing aid and localization technology, applied in the field of hearing aids with improved localization, can solve the problems of poor localization ability of hearing aid users, serious problem for mild-to-moderate hearing impaired population, and difficulty in following anything that is being said, so as to achieve sufficient accuracy and maintain the effect of direction
Active Publication Date: 2013-08-27
GN HEARING AS
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
[0014]Binaural processing by the brain, when interpreting the spatially encoded information, results in several positive effects, namely better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); direction of arrival (DOA) estimation; depth / distance perception and synergy between the visual and auditory systems.
[0061]During use, the set of filter coefficients is selected that minimizes the difference between the combined output signal, possibly pre-processed, of the at least one BTE sound input transducer and the output signal, possibly pre-processed, of the at least one ITE microphone. During use, the adaptive filter may be allowed to further adapt to the individual HRTF of the user in question. The adaptation may be stopped when the filter coefficients have become stable so that the at least one ITE microphone is no longer used for the HRTF in question.
Problems solved by technology
Hearing aid users have been reported to have poorer ability to localize sound sources when wearing their hearing aids than without their hearing aids.
This represents a serious problem for the mild-to-moderate hearing impaired population.
A common complaint for hearing aid users when referring to the “hearing speech in noise problem” is that it is very hard to follow anything that is being said even though the signal to noise ratio (SNR) should be sufficient to provide the required speech intelligibility.
This adds to the cognitive loading of the hearing aid user and may result in listening fatigue and ultimately that the user removes the hearing aid(s).
Thus, if sound pressures at the eardrums that would have been generated by a given spatial sound field are accurately reproduced at the eardrums, the human auditory system will not be able to distinguish the reproduced sound from the actual sound generated by the spatial sound field itself.
Devices which pick up sound behind the ear will, hence, be at a disadvantage in reproducing the HRTF since much of the spectral detail will be lost or heavily distorted.
However, such positioning leads to the problem that the microphone is moved close to the sound emitting device of the hearing aid, whereby the risk of feedback generation is increased, which in turn limits the maximum stable gain which can be prescribed with the hearing aid.
This, however, introduces the occlusion effect as well as comfort issues with respect to moisture and heat.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0074]Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. The claimed invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated.
[0075]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a BTE hearing aid 10 comprising a ...
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A BTE hearing aid includes a BTE hearing aid housing, at least one BTE sound input transducer, a processor configured to generate a hearing loss compensated output signal, a sound signal transmission member for transmission of a signal from a sound output of the BTE hearing aid housing to an ear canal of a user at a second end of the sound signal transmission member, an earpiece configured to be inserted in the ear canal, an output transducer, and an ITE microphone housing accommodating at least one ITE microphone, wherein the ITE microphone housing is configured to be positioned in an outer ear, wherein the processor is further configured for processing an audio signal from the at least one ITE microphone and an audio signal from the at least one BTE sound input transducer in such a way that the hearing loss compensated output signal substantially preserves spatial cues.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, Danish patent application No. PA 2011 70759, filed Dec. 29, 2011, pending, and European patent application No. 11196089.4, filed Dec. 29, 2011, pending, the entire disclosures of both of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD AND BACKGROUND[0002]A new Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid is provided with improved localization of sound sources with relation to the wearer of the hearing aid.SUMMARY[0003]Hearing aid users have been reported to have poorer ability to localize sound sources when wearing their hearing aids than without their hearing aids. This represents a serious problem for the mild-to-moderate hearing impaired population.[0004]Furthermore, hearing aids typically reproduce sound in such a way that the user perceives sound sources to be localized inside the head. The sound is said to be internalized rather than being externalized. A common complaint for hearing aid user...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): H04R25/00
Inventor GRAN, KARL-FREDRIK J.MA, GUILINTELCS, JACOB U.
Owner GN HEARING AS