Wireless Audio Signal Compensation for Hearing Impairment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with hearing impairments face difficulties in receiving and listening to audio signals from devices due to deviations from typical hearing characteristics, which existing audio devices do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
Audio devices process audio signals based on user-specific parameters, such as auditory profiles or preferences, to modify and compensate for hearing impairments through signal processing techniques like noise reduction, loudness recruitment, and frequency adjustments, using digital signal processors and wireless interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio devices use standard audio signal processing, then device complexity is kept simple, but hearing impairment compensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of user-specific audio processing parameters based on auditory profiles before actual audio playback. Hearing tests and profile creation are conducted in advance, allowing the audio device to apply pre-determined compensation parameters during normal operation without real-time complex analysis
Solution Approach 2:
An auditory profile serves as an intermediary data structure that stores user-specific hearing characteristics and compensation parameters. This profile acts as a mediator between the hearing test results and the audio signal processing, enabling the device to apply appropriate compensation without requiring complex real-time analysis of user hearing status
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio devices process signals in real-time without pre-determined parameters, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
User-specific audio processing parameters are determined in advance through hearing tests and auditory profile creation, rather than being calculated in real-time during audio playback. This preliminary determination stores compensation parameters that can be quickly applied during normal listening without time-consuming processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-assess their hearing status through integrated hearing tests and automatically generate auditory profiles without requiring external audiologist intervention. This self-service approach allows immediate parameter determination and application, reducing time loss while maintaining user-specific adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to sound enhancement for wireless audio devices. A technique may include determining one or more user-specific audio processing parameters, receiving an RF signal from a first wireless device, demodulating the received RF signal to obtain an audio signal, processing the audio signal based on the one or more user-specific audio processing parameters to generate a user-specific audio signal. The user-specific audio processing parameters may be based on user preferences, or may, for example be based on a user auditory profile or other information to allow a received audio signal to be processed to at least partially compensate for a user's specific hearing impairment.