Binaural Hearing System Noise Reduction via Interaural Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Binaural hearing systems face challenges in noise reduction in asymmetric near-field environments, where a target sound is audible on one ear but background noise is present at both ears, particularly for hearing-impaired individuals.
Innovation Solution
The system uses a noise estimate from the ear with the lowest signal-to-noise ratio to improve noise reduction in the other ear by transmitting and combining noise estimates between hearing devices, allowing for enhanced signal processing and noise reduction in the ear with the near-field sound source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise reduction is performed using local noise estimates at each hearing device, then each device can independently process its signal, but the noise estimation accuracy deteriorates in asymmetric near-field environments where one ear has a target sound and the other has only background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the noise estimation functions of both hearing devices by having the first hearing device (with only background noise) transmit its noise estimate to the second hearing device (with target sound and background noise). This combination allows the second device to use the more accurate noise estimate from the first device, improving overall noise reduction performance in asymmetric near-field environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The first hearing device acts as an intermediary that provides its noise estimate to the second hearing device. This intermediary role allows the second device to access accurate noise information from an environment where only background noise is present, without directly measuring the mixed signal at its own location.
2Reliability
If the hearing device with near-field sound source uses its own local noise estimate, then it maintains independent processing, but the signal-to-noise ratio improvement is limited due to contamination of the noise estimate by the target sound
Solution Approach 1:
The first hearing device performs preliminary noise estimation in an environment where only background noise is present, before this estimate is needed by the second device. This preliminary action captures accurate noise characteristics without contamination from target sounds, improving the reliability of the noise estimate when applied at the second device.
3Productivity
If both hearing devices process noise independently, then system operation is simplified, but noise reduction performance deteriorates when one ear has a near-field target sound that contaminates the local noise estimate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the first hearing device transmit its noise estimate to the second hearing device. This feedback loop allows the second device to continuously update its noise reduction processing using the most accurate available noise information, improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple operational procedures through automatic wireless communication.
Data Source
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AI summary
The application relates to a binaural hearing system comprising left and right hearing devices adapted for being located at or in left and right ears of a user, or adapted for being fully or partially implanted in the head of the user, each of the left and right hearing devices comprising an input unit for providing an electric input signal representing a sound in the environment of the hearing device; a noise reduction system for estimating and reducing a noise component of the electric input signal; antenna and transceiver circuitry allowing an interaural wireless communication link between the left and right hearing devices to be established to allow exchange of data between them. The application further relates to a method of operating a binaural hearing system. The object of the present application is to provide an improved binaural hearing system. The problem is solved in that the binaural hearing system - in a specific near-field mode of operation, where a near-field sound source is predominantly audible at a first one of the left and right hearing devices - is configured to transmit the estimate of the noise component, or a measure thereof, determined in a second one of the hearing devices of the binaural hearing system to the first hearing device and to use said estimate to reduce the noise component in the electric signal of the first hearing device and to provide a noise reduced signal in the first hearing device. This has the advantage of providing an improved noise reduction in a non-symmetric acoustic situation. The invention may e.g. be used in hearing aids, headsets, ear phones, active ear protection systems and combinations thereof.