Assisted Hearing Aid Speech Substitution for Noisy Conversations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids that amplify sound are insufficient for individuals with profound hearing loss, and learners of new languages struggle to discern words due to accent and speech clarity differences, necessitating improved signal-to-noise ratios and clearer pronunciation.
Innovation Solution
An assisted hearing device that operates in two modes: amplification and conditioning of voice sounds, and conversion of voice sounds to discrete words using a processor to generate synthesized voice or text output, with optional translation and context-based word substitution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If hearing aids amplify sound for profound hearing loss, then sound volume increases, but signal-to-noise ratio remains insufficient and word clarity is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical acoustic amplification system with an electronic-digital processing system. Microphones capture speech signals that are converted to digital form, processed through algorithms to separate speech from noise, and reconstructed into enhanced audio output. This substitution of mechanical amplification with electronic signal processing enables superior noise rejection and speech enhancement that cannot be achieved through amplification alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital signal processing as an intermediary between the acoustic environment and the user's hearing. The system acts as a mediator that captures raw audio signals, processes them through sophisticated algorithms to extract and enhance speech components, and delivers the processed output to the user. This intermediary processing layer enables the system to improve signal-to-noise ratio and word clarity beyond what direct amplification can achieve.
2Power
If hearing aids amplify all sounds, then overall volume increases, but speech clarity in noisy environments deteriorates due to amplified noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex audio signal into distinct components through digital signal processing. The system separates speech signals from background noise by analyzing different acoustic characteristics, frequency distributions, and temporal patterns. This segmentation enables the system to selectively enhance speech components while suppressing noise components, rather than amplifying all sounds uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different portions of the audio signal. The system identifies speech segments and applies enhancement processing specifically to those portions, while applying different processing to noise portions. This localized quality adjustment ensures that speech clarity is improved without proportionally amplifying background noise, thereby maintaining a favorable signal-to-noise ratio.
3Device complexity
If hearing aids use traditional amplification, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different hearing conditions and languages is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability through software-based processing that can adjust to different hearing conditions, environments, and user preferences. The system continuously analyzes acoustic environments and automatically adjusts processing parameters such as noise reduction strength, speech enhancement levels, and frequency compensation. This dynamic adaptability allows a single device to serve multiple hearing conditions without requiring multiple fixed amplification configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal hearing assistance system that can handle multiple functions within a single device. The digital signal processing architecture enables the same hardware to perform speech enhancement, noise reduction, directionality control, and potentially language-specific optimizations. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to different hearing conditions and usage scenarios without increasing physical device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for improving hearing devices by using computer recognition of words and substituting either computer generated words or pre-recorded words in streaming conversation received from a distant speaker. The system may operate in multiple modes such as a first mode being amplification and conditioning of the voice sounds; a second mode having said microphone pickup up the voice sounds from a speaker, a processor configured to convert voice sounds to discrete words corresponding to words spoken by said speaker, generating a synthesized voice speaking said words and outputting said synthesized voice to said sound reproducing element, which is hearable by the user. Other modes include translation of foreign languages into a user's ear and using a heads up display to project the text version of words which the computer had deciphered or translated. The system may be triggered by eye moment, spoken command, hand movement or similar.