Dual-Branch Hearing Aid Wind Noise Reduction with Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aid systems face challenges in reducing wind noise while transmitting signals to other devices, as current methods result in unacceptable latency due to the use of high-resolution filter banks required for precise wind detection, leading to delays that are not suitable for binaural systems.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a first filter system with high latency is used for wind detection in a separate branch, and parameters obtained are applied to a second filter system with shorter latency to reduce wind noise in the transmission signal, allowing for wind-reduced signals to be transmitted with minimal delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution filter bank with many channels is used for precise wind detection, then wind detection precision is improved, but signal latency increases to around 4 ms to 5 ms which is unacceptable for binaural systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal processing into two separate processing paths: a first processing path that uses a high-resolution filter bank with many channels for precise wind detection, and a second processing path that uses a low-latency filter bank for real-time signal transmission. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where wind detection parameters are determined from the first processing path and then applied to the second processing path. This intermediary approach allows the low-latency path to benefit from the precise wind detection of the high-resolution path without suffering from its latency.
2Measurement precision
If a filter bank with many channels is used to precisely detect wind, then wind detection accuracy is improved, but the filter length must be increased which leads to longer delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter bank functionality into two distinct structures: a first filter bank with many channels for accurate wind detection, and a second filter bank with fewer channels for low-latency signal processing. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single filter bank while maintaining overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a reduced number of channels in the second filter bank compared to the first filter bank. The second filter bank uses only the necessary channels for low-latency processing, while the first filter bank uses more channels for comprehensive wind detection. This partial approach optimizes the balance between detection accuracy and processing speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Wind noise-free signals are to be provided with a short latency, particularly for binaural hearing aid use. For this purpose, a method and a hearing device are proposed in which, in a first branch (10) with a first latency, the wind is analyzed, and in a second branch (11) with a shorter, second latency, the wind is reduced for a transmission signal (u).