Ear-Level Audio Noise Floor Control Near Hearing Threshold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear level audio systems struggle to optimally control the output sound level relative to a user's hearing threshold, leading to suboptimal perceived sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A noise floor control module determines the noise floor level of the output signal and applies a second frequency-dependent gain to position it above or below the user's hearing threshold, ensuring optimal sound quality based on individual hearing loss and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If advanced noise reduction algorithms are implemented to improve sound quality, then noise suppression capability is improved, but control over output level relative to hearing threshold becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gain control into two independent parts: a first frequency-dependent gain for noise reduction and hearing loss compensation, and a second frequency-dependent gain specifically for noise floor control. This segmentation allows each gain component to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between noise suppression and output level control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new control parameter - the noise floor level relative to the hearing threshold - that is independent of the overall gain settings. By controlling the noise floor position as a separate parameter, the system can maintain optimal noise suppression while ensuring the output level remains appropriate for the user's hearing threshold.
2Reliability
If a single gain setting is used to compensate for hearing loss, then hearing loss compensation is achieved, but the noise floor position relative to hearing threshold cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency-dependent gain into two separate components: one dedicated to hearing loss compensation and another dedicated to noise floor control. This allows the hearing loss compensation function to be maintained reliably while adding precise control over the noise floor position as a separate function.
Solution Approach 2:
The second frequency-dependent gain component serves multiple functions: it controls the noise floor position relative to the hearing threshold, ensures optimal audibility, and maintains compatibility with the first gain component for hearing loss compensation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system capable of both tasks simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If output level is increased to ensure full audibility, then sound quality improves, but comfort may be compromised for users with hearing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the noise floor position relative to the hearing threshold as a controlled parameter. By adjusting the second frequency-dependent gain, the system positions the noise floor at an optimal level that ensures full audibility of the dynamic range while preventing excessive output levels that would compromise user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's hearing threshold as a reference feedback parameter to control the noise floor position. The second gain component is adjusted based on the relationship between the noise floor and the hearing threshold, ensuring that the output level provides full audibility while maintaining comfort for users with hearing loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (400) of operating an ear level audio system, comprises the steps of applying (401) a first frequency dependent gain to an input signal in order to provide a first processed input signal adapted to at least one of compensating a hearing loss and suppressing noise, determining (402) a noise floor level of the first processed input signal, applying (403) a second frequency dependent gain to the first processed input signal and hereby providing an output signal such that for at least one frequency range the noise floor level of the output signal is positioned at a selected position above or below a hearing threshold.