Hearing Aid Noise Suppression via External Transducer Transfer Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aid systems face challenges in effectively suppressing noise and improving sound quality due to difficulties in determining the relative positioning of external input signals with respect to conversation partners, leading to issues with spatial hearing and incorrect interpretation of directional noise.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hearing aid that involves generating an external input signal from an external acousto-electric transducer, determining the relative transfer function between the transducer and the hearing aid, filtering the external input signal with this function to estimate the target signal, and using noise suppression techniques based on the estimated target signal to enhance sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an external input transducer is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then noise suppression capability is improved, but difficulty in determining relative positioning and spatial hearing accuracy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer function as an intermediary mathematical model that relates the external input signal to the hearing aid input signal. This transfer function acts as a mediator that allows the system to account for the spatial relationship between the external transducer and the hearing aid without requiring direct measurement of their relative positions. By using this intermediary model, the system can suppress noise effectively while maintaining spatial hearing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the acoustic environment by generating a simulated hearing aid input signal from the external input signal through the transfer function. This copied signal represents what the hearing aid would have received directly, allowing the system to process and suppress noise in this virtual representation while preserving the original spatial characteristics for accurate spatial hearing.
2Manufacturing precision
If external input signal is directly incorporated into output signal, then sound quality improvement is achieved, but spatial hearing problems occur due to incorrect directional information
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer function serves as an intermediary that transforms the external input signal into a form that is spatially consistent with the hearing aid's perspective. This mediation process allows the external signal to be incorporated into the output without introducing spatial hearing errors, as the transfer function adjusts the signal to reflect the correct directional relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for physical spatial measurement and mechanical positioning systems with a mathematical signal processing approach. Instead of physically determining the relative positions of the external transducer and hearing aid, the system uses the transfer function to substitute this mechanical measurement problem with a signal transformation process that achieves the same result through mathematical modeling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mobile phone is positioned closer to conversation partner, then signal-to-noise ratio for frontal signal is improved, but complexity of determining optimal positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-positioning through the adaptive transfer function estimation process. The hearing aid automatically determines the optimal positioning relationship between the external transducer and itself by analyzing the incoming signals and adapting the transfer function accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual positioning or complex external positioning determination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the hearing aid continuously monitors the signals from both the external transducer and its own microphones, uses this information to adaptively estimate and update the transfer function, and then applies this updated transfer function to optimize noise suppression. This closed-loop feedback process automatically maintains optimal positioning relationships without requiring external intervention or complex positioning determination.
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 approach improves signal-to-noise ratio and reduces noise interference by allowing the external input transducer to be positioned optimally with respect to the target signal source, effectively distinguishing target signals from background noise and enhancing the overall sound quality in conversation situations.
Implementation Method 1
an external input signal is generated from the ambient sound signal by an acousto-electrical external input transducer outside the hearing aid
Implementation Method 2
a first input signal is generated from a sound signal of the environment by a first input transducer of the hearing aid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a method for operating a hearing aid (2), wherein a first input signal (32) is generated from an ambient sound signal by a first input transducer (30) of the hearing aid (2), wherein an external input transducer (34) outside the hearing aid (2) generates an external input signal (36) from the ambient sound signal, wherein a relative transfer function of the external input transducer (34) to the hearing aid (2) with respect to a target signal source (4) is determined based on the first input signal (32) and/or based on the external input signal (36), and the external input signal (36) is filtered with the relative transfer function, thereby generating an estimated target signal (42), and wherein noise suppression in the hearing aid (2) is carried out based on the estimated target signal (42).The invention further describes a hearing aid system comprising a hearing aid (2) with at least one first input converter (30) for generating a first input signal (32), an external input converter (34) for generating an external input signal (36) and a processor unit which is configured to carry out such a method.