Hearing Aid Frequency Transposition for Steep Hearing Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with steeply sloping hearing losses, particularly at high frequencies, do not benefit from existing hearing aid amplification methods, as these methods compromise the integrity of the audio signal and fail to make high-frequency sounds perceivable without distorting the overall sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid system that splits audio signals into high and low-frequency parts, identifies a dominant frequency in the high-frequency part, and transposes it downward by a specified amount using an oscillator, allowing the transposed signal to be superimposed onto the low-frequency part, preserving the low-frequency content and making high-frequency information audible without significant distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-frequency amplification is applied to compensate for hearing loss, then high-frequency perception is improved, but the overall sound quality and integrity of the audio signal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio signal into multiple frequency bands (low-frequency part and high-frequency part) using band-splitting filters. This segmentation allows independent processing of each frequency range, enabling high-frequency amplification without compromising the integrity of the overall audio signal. The low-frequency components remain unchanged while only the high-frequency components are enhanced.
2Measurement precision
If frequency transposition is used to make high-frequency sounds audible, then high-frequency information becomes perceivable, but the natural recognizability of sounds is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies frequency transposition selectively only to the high-frequency part of the signal, while leaving the low-frequency part unchanged. This local application ensures that high-frequency information becomes audible through transposition to lower frequencies, while the natural low-frequency content that provides sound recognizability and identity is preserved in its original form.
3Measurement precision
If digital frequency transposition with frequency analyzer is implemented, then high-frequency phonemes are enhanced, but the processor strain and system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential high-frequency information needed for phoneme recognition and transposes it to a lower frequency range. By taking out only the critical high-frequency components rather than processing the entire spectrum, the system achieves phoneme enhancement with reduced computational burden and simpler processing requirements compared to comprehensive digital frequency transposition systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively renders high-frequency sounds perceivable to individuals with steep hearing losses while maintaining the integrity and recognizability of the low-frequency sounds, providing a pleasant and recognizable audio experience without the need for additional training.
Implementation Method 1
a transposer comprising an oscillator, means for multiplying the signal from said first frequency part by an output signal from said oscillator
Implementation Method 2
a dominant frequency detector for determining a dominant frequency in the high-frequency part
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid (50) comprises means (55, 56, 57, 58) for reproducing frequencies above the upper frequency limit of a hearing impaired user. The hearing aid (50) according to the invention comprises means (55, 57) for transposing higher bands of frequencies from outside the upper frequency limit of a hearing impaired user down in frequency based on a detected frequency in order to coincide with a lower band of frequencies within the frequency range perceivable by the hearing impaired user. The transposing means (55, 57) comprise an adaptive notch filter (15) for detecting a dominant frequency in the lower band of frequencies, adaptation means (16) controlled by the adaptive notch filter (15), an oscillator (3) controlled by the adaptation means (16), and a multiplier (4) for performing the actual frequency transposition of the signal. The invention further provides a method for processing a signal in a hearing aid.