Hearing aid double-side radio separation receiving method
By installing microphones in the left and right ears of the hearing aid, sound separation and directionality are achieved by utilizing signal differences, which solves the problem of sound quality degradation in noisy environments of traditional hearing aids and provides a clearer auditory experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZUODIAN IND (HUBEI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Traditional hearing aids use a single-sided pickup method, which makes it difficult to distinguish target sounds from noise in noisy environments, resulting in a decline in sound quality.
The dual-sided sound separation reception method is adopted. By installing microphones in the user's left and right ears respectively, sound separation and directionality are achieved by utilizing signal differences. Combined with signal synchronization and fusion strategies, the sound recognition and noise suppression capabilities are improved.
To provide a clearer and more natural sound experience in complex sound environments, thereby improving user satisfaction and quality of life.
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of hearing aids, specifically a method for separating and receiving sound from both sides of a hearing aid. Background Technology
[0002] A hearing aid is an electronic device that amplifies sound signals, helping people with hearing loss to better receive and process sound information. Since the first electronic hearing aid was introduced in the early 20th century, hearing aid technology has undergone several transformations. Early hearing aids were large, had poor sound quality, and were inconvenient to use. With the continuous development of electronic technology, hearing aids have become smaller, have better sound quality, and offer more features.
[0003] Traditional hearing aids typically employ a single-sided pickup method. Their pickup principle is primarily based on sound pickup, amplification, and processing. When sound enters the hearing aid's microphone, the microphone converts the sound waves into electrical signals. These signals are then amplified and output through headphones or bone conduction devices, ultimately reaching the user's ear. However, this single-microphone system has limitations when dealing with complex sound environments, especially in situations with high background noise. It struggles to distinguish between target sound and noise, leading to a decline in sound quality. In other words, with only one microphone receiving the sound signal, this pickup method is easily affected by background noise in noisy environments, resulting in reduced sound quality. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a dual-sided pickup separation method for hearing aids. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the problems in the prior art, this invention provides a method for separating and receiving sound from both sides of a hearing aid.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: a hearing aid bilateral sound reception separation method, including sound signal acquisition and processing, implementation method of bilateral sound reception separation technology and signal synchronization and fusion strategy; S1: Acquisition and Processing of Sound Signals The first step of the dual-sided sound separation reception method is the acquisition of sound signals, which is achieved by installing microphones in the user's left and right ears respectively. Each microphone independently acquires the sound signal on its own side, and these signals are then transmitted to the processing unit of the hearing aid. In the processing unit, the audio signal undergoes the following steps: Preprocessing: The acquired signal is amplified, filtered, and denoised to improve signal quality; Feature extraction: Extracting key features, such as frequency, intensity, and temporal characteristics, from the preprocessed signal; Signal analysis: Analyzing the extracted features to identify the direction, type, and content of the sound; S2: Implementation method of dual-sided radio separation technology The core of dual-sided sound separation technology lies in using the difference in signals received by the two microphones to achieve sound separation and directionality. The time difference method uses the time difference between the arrival of sound at the left and right microphones to calculate the direction of the sound source. Intensity difference method: Determine the location of the sound source based on the intensity difference of the sound reaching the left and right microphones; Cross-correlation method: The time difference of sound arrival is determined by calculating the cross-correlation function of two microphone signals; Beamforming: Adjusting the direction of the microphone array to enhance sound signals from a specific direction while suppressing sound signals from other directions; S3: Signal Synchronization and Fusion Strategy To ensure that the dual-sided radio system can accurately separate and direct sound, signal synchronization and fusion strategies are crucial. Signal synchronization: Since sound signals may have time delays due to different transmission paths, synchronization algorithms are needed to ensure that the signals received by the two microphones are aligned in time. Signal fusion: Based on signal synchronization, the signals received by the two microphones are combined through a fusion algorithm to obtain a clearer and more natural sound output. Fusion strategies can include simple signal superposition, weighted averaging, or more complex signal processing algorithms. The effective implementation of signal synchronization and fusion strategies can significantly improve the performance of the dual-reception system, enabling hearing aids to provide a better auditory experience in complex sound environments.
[0006] It also includes hardware modules and software modules. The hardware modules include the hearing aid hardware structure, signal acquisition and processing module, and wireless transmission module. The software modules include signal processing algorithms and system control interface.
[0007] The hearing aid hardware structure includes a microphone, a signal processing unit, an amplifier, an earphone or bone conduction device, and a power module. In a dual-ear sound separation receiving system, each ear has a microphone and a corresponding signal processing unit.
[0008] The signal acquisition and processing module is responsible for acquiring sound signals from the microphone and performing preliminary processing, such as amplification, filtering, and noise reduction. It typically includes analog and digital signal processing circuits.
[0009] To enable communication between hearing aids and connection with external devices, the system needs to be equipped with a wireless transmission module, such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module.
[0010] The signal processing algorithm is the core of the software design, including the synchronization, separation, fusion, noise reduction, and enhancement of the sound signal. It achieves efficient sound separation and directionality, maintains sound quality while suppressing noise, and outputs the signal after feedback printing to complete the overall algorithm flow.
[0011] The system control and interaction interface is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to adjust settings such as volume, tone, and noise reduction level. The interface design needs to take into account the user's operating habits and visual needs, and will provide intuitive icons and sliders. Users can use these interface elements to adjust the hearing aid settings.
[0012] The hardware and software modules enable high-quality acquisition and processing of sound signals, providing clear and natural sound output. Users can adjust settings according to their personal preferences and hearing conditions, and seamless connection and interaction with external devices are achieved.
[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are: The present invention discloses a dual-sided sound pickup separation receiving method for hearing aids. The dual-sided sound pickup method can more accurately determine the direction of the sound source based on the time and intensity difference of the sound arriving at the two microphones. By analyzing the signals of the two microphones, the system can more effectively identify and suppress background noise. The dual-sided sound pickup system can provide a more natural spatial sound experience, enabling users to better perceive the sound environment. The dual-sided sound pickup separation receiving method improves user satisfaction and helps users better integrate into society and improve their quality of life. Detailed Implementation
[0014] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.
[0015] The present invention discloses a hearing aid bilateral sound reception separation method, including sound signal acquisition and processing, implementation of bilateral sound reception separation technology, and signal synchronization and fusion strategy; Acquisition and processing of sound signals The first step of the dual-sided sound separation reception method is the acquisition of sound signals, which is achieved by installing microphones in the user's left and right ears respectively. Each microphone independently acquires the sound signal on its own side, and these signals are then transmitted to the processing unit of the hearing aid. In the processing unit, the audio signal undergoes the following steps: Preprocessing: The acquired signal is amplified, filtered, and denoised to improve signal quality; Feature extraction: Extracting key features, such as frequency, intensity, and temporal characteristics, from the preprocessed signal; Signal analysis: Analyzing the extracted features to identify the direction, type, and content of the sound; Noise reduction: In noisy environments, the original sound signal usually contains a lot of background noise. Noise reduction algorithms can reduce the impact of noise on the signal and improve the clarity of the signal. Filtering: Filtering can remove irrelevant frequency components from a signal, such as high-frequency noise or low-frequency booming, thereby optimizing the signal's spectral characteristics. Normalization: By normalizing the sound signal, we can ensure the consistency of the signal under different intensities, which facilitates subsequent processing. Feature extraction: Extracting useful features, such as frequency, intensity, and time features, from the preprocessed signal to provide a basis for subsequent separation algorithms. Implementation of dual-sided radio separation technology The core of dual-sided sound separation technology lies in using the difference in signals received by the two microphones to separate and direct the sound. The time difference method uses the time difference between the arrival of the sound at the left and right microphones to calculate the direction of the sound source. By calculating the time difference between the arrival of the sound at the left and right microphones, the location of the sound source is determined, and the sound signal is separated accordingly. Intensity difference method: The location of the sound source is determined by the intensity difference of the sound reaching the left and right microphones. The sound source is identified and separated by the intensity difference of the sound reaching the left and right microphones. Cross-correlation method: By calculating the cross-correlation function of two microphone signals, the time difference of sound arrival can be determined, thereby achieving signal separation; Beamforming: Adjusting the direction of the microphone array to enhance sound signals from a specific direction while suppressing sound signals from other directions. Signal synchronization and fusion strategy To ensure that the dual-sided radio system can accurately separate and direct sound, signal synchronization and fusion strategies are crucial. Signal synchronization: Since sound signals may have time delays due to different transmission paths, synchronization algorithms are needed to ensure that the signals received by the two microphones are aligned in time. Signal fusion: Based on signal synchronization, the signals received by the two microphones are combined through a fusion algorithm to obtain a clearer and more natural sound output. Fusion strategies can include simple signal superposition, weighted averaging, or more complex signal processing algorithms. The effective implementation of signal synchronization and fusion strategies can significantly improve the performance of the dual-reception system, enabling hearing aids to provide a better auditory experience in complex sound environments. Signal superposition: This method involves simply superimposing the signals from the left and right microphones. It is suitable for environments with low noise. Weighted fusion: Based on the user's binaural hearing condition, the separated signals are weighted and fused to achieve personalized sound output; Dynamic adjustment: The fusion strategy is dynamically adjusted based on the user's environment and preferences to provide the best sound experience; Spatialization processing: By simulating the spatial distribution of sound, it provides a more natural and realistic sound output.
[0016] It also includes hardware modules and software modules. The hardware modules include the hearing aid hardware structure, signal acquisition and processing module, and wireless transmission module. The software modules include signal processing algorithms and system control interface.
[0017] The hearing aid hardware structure includes a microphone, a signal processing unit, an amplifier, an earphone or bone conduction device, and a power module. In a dual-ear sound separation receiving system, each ear has a microphone and a corresponding signal processing unit.
[0018] The signal acquisition and processing module is responsible for acquiring sound signals from the microphone and performing preliminary processing, such as amplification, filtering, and noise reduction. It typically includes analog and digital signal processing circuits.
[0019] To enable communication between hearing aids and connection with external devices, the system needs to be equipped with a wireless transmission module, such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module.
[0020] The signal processing algorithm is the core of the software design, including the synchronization, separation, fusion, noise reduction, and enhancement of the sound signal. It achieves efficient sound separation and directionality, maintains sound quality while suppressing noise, and outputs the signal after feedback printing to complete the overall algorithm flow.
[0021] The system control and interaction interface is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to adjust settings such as volume, tone, and noise reduction level. The interface design needs to take into account the user's operating habits and visual needs, and will provide intuitive icons and sliders. Users can use these interface elements to adjust the hearing aid settings.
[0022] The hardware and software modules enable high-quality acquisition and processing of sound signals, providing clear and natural sound output. Users can adjust settings according to their personal preferences and hearing conditions, and seamless connection and interaction with external devices are achieved.
[0023] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A method for dual-sided sound reception separation in a hearing aid, characterized in that, This includes the acquisition and processing of sound signals, the implementation methods of dual-sided sound separation technology, and signal synchronization and fusion strategies; S1: Acquisition and Processing of Sound Signals The first step of the dual-sided sound separation reception method is the acquisition of sound signals, which is achieved by installing microphones in the user's left and right ears respectively. Each microphone independently acquires the sound signal on its own side, and these signals are then transmitted to the processing unit of the hearing aid. In the processing unit, the audio signal undergoes the following steps: Preprocessing: The acquired signal is amplified, filtered, and denoised to improve signal quality; Feature extraction: Extracting key features, such as frequency, intensity, and temporal characteristics, from the preprocessed signal; Signal analysis: Analyzing the extracted features to identify the direction, type, and content of the sound; S2: The implementation method of dual-sided radio separation technology; The core of dual-sided sound separation technology lies in using the difference in signals received by the two microphones to achieve sound separation and directionality. The time difference method uses the time difference between the arrival of the sound at the left and right microphones to calculate the direction of the sound source. Intensity difference method: Determine the location of the sound source based on the intensity difference of the sound reaching the left and right microphones; Cross-correlation method: The time difference of sound arrival is determined by calculating the cross-correlation function of two microphone signals; Beamforming: Adjusting the direction of the microphone array to enhance sound signals from a specific direction while suppressing sound signals from other directions; S3: Signal Synchronization and Fusion Strategy To ensure that the dual-sided radio system can accurately separate and direct sound, signal synchronization and fusion strategies are crucial. Signal synchronization: Since sound signals may have time delays due to different transmission paths, synchronization algorithms are needed to ensure that the signals received by the two microphones are aligned in time. Signal fusion: Based on signal synchronization, the signals received by the two microphones are combined through a fusion algorithm to obtain a clearer and more natural sound output. Fusion strategies can include simple signal superposition, weighted averaging, or more complex signal processing algorithms. The effective implementation of signal synchronization and fusion strategies can significantly improve the performance of the dual-reception system, enabling hearing aids to provide a better auditory experience in complex sound environments.
2. The hearing aid bilateral sound separation and reception method according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes hardware modules and software modules. The hardware modules include the hearing aid hardware structure, signal acquisition and processing module, and wireless transmission module. The software modules include signal processing algorithms and system control interface.
3. The hearing aid bilateral sound separation and reception method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hearing aid hardware structure includes a microphone, a signal processing unit, an amplifier, an earphone or bone conduction device, and a power module. In a dual-ear sound separation receiving system, each ear has a microphone and a corresponding signal processing unit.
4. The hearing aid bilateral sound reception separation method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal acquisition and processing module is responsible for acquiring sound signals from the microphone and performing preliminary processing, such as amplification, filtering, and noise reduction. It typically includes analog and digital signal processing circuits.
5. A hearing aid bilateral sound separation and reception method according to claim 2, characterized in that: To enable communication between hearing aids and connection with external devices, the system needs to be equipped with a wireless transmission module, such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module.
6. The hearing aid bilateral sound reception separation method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal processing algorithm is the core of the software design, including the synchronization, separation, fusion, noise reduction, and enhancement of the sound signal. It achieves efficient sound separation and directionality, maintains sound quality while suppressing noise, and outputs the signal after feedback printing to complete the overall algorithm flow.
7. The hearing aid bilateral sound separation and reception method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The system control and interaction interface is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to adjust settings such as volume, tone, and noise reduction level. The interface design needs to take into account the user's operating habits and visual needs, and will provide intuitive icons and sliders. Users can use these interface elements to adjust the hearing aid settings.
8. The hearing aid bilateral sound separation and reception method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hardware and software modules enable high-quality acquisition and processing of sound signals, providing clear and natural sound output. Users can adjust settings according to their personal preferences and hearing conditions, and seamless connection and interaction with external devices are achieved.