Hearing Aid Microphone Directivity via Phase and Magnitude Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids, particularly behind-the-ear models, face challenges in noisy environments due to the lack of controlled directivity in sound reception, leading to difficulty in discerning sources amidst ambient noise.
Innovation Solution
The use of dual directional microphones with adjustable sound ports and signal processing electronics that adjust phase and magnitude to produce a summed signal, allowing for controlled reception patterns, including combinations of cardioid, supercardioid, and hypercardioid patterns, to enhance sound source discrimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple directional microphones are used to achieve controlled directivity, then sound source discrimination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple directional microphones with different reception patterns (cardioid, supercardioid, hypercardioid) into a single hearing assistance device. By merging these microphones and their signals, the system achieves controlled directivity and improved sound source discrimination while managing the complexity through integrated signal processing electronics that combine the multiple audio signals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If signal processing electronics are added to adjust phase and magnitude, then reception pattern control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signal processing electronics that can adjust the phase and magnitude of audio signals from multiple microphones in real-time. This allows the system to dynamically control the reception pattern, switching between different directional characteristics (cardioid, supercardioid,hypercardioid) and creating customized reception patterns to adapt to different listening environments and user needs.
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
This solution provides improved sound source discrimination in noisy environments by creating a controllable reception pattern, allowing users to better hear specific sources over background noise through the adjustment of microphone axes and signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first directional microphone having first and second sound ports along a first axis, the first directional microphone producing a first audio signal
Implementation Method 2
signal processing electronics for adjustment of phase and magnitude of first audio signal and the second audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes various methods and apparatus for controlling directionality of a hearing assistance device including a pair of directional microphones. In various examples, the hearing assistance device includes a pair of directional microphones and an omnidirectional microphone. In various examples, the hearing assistance device includes a directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone. In examples with multiple directional microphones, various angles can be employed. For example, in some applications the first directional axis can be about ninety degrees offset of the second directional axis. The microphones are aligned with an intended direction of reception in some embodiments. In some examples the microphones are not aligned with an intended direction of reception. Other variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.