Binaural Hearing Device Noise Reduction via Microphone Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing device systems face challenges in maintaining sound quality during calls, particularly in noisy environments where noise from one side can interfere with the user's voice, making it difficult for both the user and the far-end caller to distinguish voices from background noise.
Innovation Solution
A binaural hearing device system with two hearing devices, each equipped with microphones, primary and secondary antennas, and a processing unit that determines noise levels to selectively use the microphone with the lower noise level for capturing the user's voice, ensuring optimal sound quality by switching between devices if necessary and adjusting volume and noise cancellation settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hearing device system uses a fixed microphone for voice capture during calls, then the device structure is simple, but the sound quality deteriorates in noisy environments where noise interferes with the user's voice
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between microphones based on real-time noise level detection. The processing unit continuously monitors noise levels from multiple microphones and automatically selects the optimal microphone for voice capture, transforming a static microphone selection into a dynamic, adaptive process that responds to changing environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device system autonomously performs noise level assessment and microphone selection without user intervention. The processing unit automatically compares noise levels from different microphones and switches to the optimal microphone, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual configuration or user awareness of the complexity
2Reliability
If the hearing device system switches microphones based on noise levels, then the sound quality for the far-end caller is improved, but the system complexity increases due to noise level determination and switching control
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit performs multiple functions: it processes audio signals for the user, determines noise levels from multiple microphones, selects the optimal microphone for transmission, and manages the switching between microphones. By consolidating these functions into a single processing unit, the system achieves multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors noise levels from microphones and uses this feedback to automatically adjust microphone selection. The processing unit receives real-time noise level data, compares it against thresholds, and dynamically switches microphones to maintain optimal voice clarity, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing acoustic conditions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the hearing device system uses noise cancellation, then the background noise is reduced, but the user's voice may also be affected and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying noise cancellation to all audio signals, the system extracts and isolates the user's voice from the noisy environment by selecting the microphone that captures the least background noise. This extraction approach separates the desired voice signal from unwanted noise without applying aggressive noise cancellation algorithms that could distort the voice
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of microphone selection based on noise level conditions. Rather than maintaining a fixed microphone configuration or applying uniform noise cancellation, the system dynamically adjusts which microphone is active for voice capture, changing the system's operational state to match environmental conditions and preserve voice fidelity while reducing noise
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device system includes: first and second hearing devices, each of which comprising at least one microphone, a primary antenna, and a speaker; the hearing device system configured to communicate with an electronic device configured to establish a call between the user and a far-end person; the hearing device system configured to determine a first noise level, N1, of sound received by the at least one microphone of the first hearing device, and a second noise level, N2, of sound received by the at least one microphone of the second hearing device; the hearing device system configured to transmit a voice signal to the electronic device, the voice signal being based on a voice of the user captured by the at least one microphone of the first hearing device when N1<N2, or captured by the at least one microphone of the second hearing device when N1>N2.