Hearing Instrument Speech Accent Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing-impaired individuals face challenges with speech perception due to the reduced dynamic range of their hearing, which current hearing aids often fail to adequately address through compression techniques, leading to technical issues and distortions.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hearing instrument that analyzes captured sound signals to recognize speech intervals and selectively enhances speech accents by varying the amplitude of the processed sound signal according to the user's stress rhythmic pattern (SRP), thereby improving speech perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If compression techniques are used to amplify sound signals for hearing-impaired users, then the dynamic range is expanded, but technical problems and distortions occur due to real time constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compression characteristics adaptive rather than fixed. The signal processor dynamically adjusts compression parameters based on real-time analysis of the sound signal's statistical properties, allowing the system to optimize compression strength and timing constants according to the specific acoustic environment and signal characteristics, thereby reducing distortions while maintaining dynamic range expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying compression parameters such as compression strength and timing constants based on the statistical properties of the input sound signal. The system analyzes the signal's amplitude distribution and adjusts compression parameters accordingly, enabling optimal performance across different acoustic scenarios without introducing artifacts or distortions.
2Ease of operation
If compression is applied to amplify soft sounds for hearing-impaired users, then speech perception is improved, but speech accents and rhythmic structure are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the compression process into distinct phases: a first compression phase that amplifies soft sounds to improve speech perception, followed by a second compression phase that preserves speech accents and rhythmic structure. This segmented approach allows different compression strategies to be applied to different aspects of the sound signal, maintaining both speech intelligibility and natural speech characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by analyzing the sound signal's statistical properties before applying compression. The system performs preliminary analysis of the signal's amplitude distribution and temporal characteristics, then uses this information to guide the compression process, ensuring that speech accents and rhythmic patterns are preserved while still providing necessary amplification for hearing-impaired users.
3Productivity
If conventional compression algorithms are used in real time, then processing speed is maintained, but speech perception enhancement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing real-time statistical analysis of the sound signal before compression to determine optimal compression parameters. This preliminary analysis enables the system to adapt compression strength and timing constants to the specific acoustic environment, significantly enhancing speech perception while maintaining real-time processing capability through efficient algorithm design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the compressed output and adjusting compression parameters based on the results. The system uses feedback information to optimize the compression process, ensuring maximum speech perception enhancement while maintaining processing speed, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing system includes a hearing instrument for capturing a sound signal from an environment of the hearing instrument. The captured sound signal is processed, and the processed sound signal is output to a user of the hearing instrument. In a speech recognition step, the captured sound signal is analyzed to recognize speech intervals, in which the captured sound signal contains speech. In a speech enhancement procedure performed during recognized speech intervals, the amplitude of the processed sound signal is periodically varied according to a temporal pattern that is consistent with a stress rhythmic pattern of the user. A method for operating the hearing instrument is also provided.