Hearing Aid Signal Processing via Wireless Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids, face challenges in enhancing speech clarity in noisy environments due to the opposing functions of amplification and noise cancellation, and lack effective methods to combine these technologies for improved communication under adverse listening conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system connects multiple hearing assistance devices via a secure, bidirectional radio link to combine electric audio signals, process them through a digital signal processor for adaptive constructive interference, and apply gain and frequency shaping, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and speech intelligibility by leveraging spatial differences and noise reduction techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hearing aids amplify sound to improve hearing, then speech clarity is enhanced, but background noise is also amplified making it harder to distinguish speech from noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio signal processing by using multiple microphones to capture different spatial audio information, then processes these signals separately through digital signal processing to distinguish speech from background noise based on spatial characteristics and temporal patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges audio signals from multiple hearing aids worn by different users, combining the spatial and temporal information from multiple sources to enhance speech clarity and suppress background noise through constructive interference of speech signals and destructive interference of noise signals
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation is used to reduce background noise, then noise levels are lowered, but speech signals may also be attenuated reducing overall sound quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the noise cancellation parameters and signal processing settings in real-time based on the detected acoustic environment, speech presence, and noise characteristics, allowing adaptive optimization of speech enhancement while minimizing noise without attenuating speech signals
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple microphones and signal processing algorithms to continuously monitor and adjust the noise cancellation parameters, ensuring that speech signals are preserved while effectively reducing background noise through adaptive control
3Measurement precision
If multiple hearing devices are connected to combine audio signals, then speech intelligibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal wireless communication protocols and standardized signal processing algorithms that can be implemented across multiple hearing aid devices, allowing different devices to work together as a coordinated system without requiring proprietary or highly specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary wireless communication link between hearing aids to exchange audio signals and processing information, enabling signal combination and spatial processing without requiring direct physical connections or complex wired infrastructure
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 significantly improves speech clarity and intelligibility in noisy environments by combining audio signals from multiple devices, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and preserving desirable speech while reducing unwanted noise, thus improving communication effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
process them through a digital signal processor for adaptive constructive interference, and apply gain and frequency shaping, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and speech intelligibility
Implementation Method 2
The system connects multiple hearing assistance devices via a secure, bidirectional radio link to combine electric audio signals
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods are disclosed herein to increase the quality of the sound and intelligibility of speech delivered to a user by combining electric audio signals from more than one hearing assistance device that incorporates an active signal enhancement system. The method includes receiving electric audio signals at a first hearing assistance device, and sending electric audio signals to a second hearing assistance device. The electric audio signal is encoded as a replacement for input to an microphone channel located at the second hearing assistance device. The electric audio signals from the microphone located at the first hearing assistance device and the microphone located at the second hearing assistance device are combined. The combined electric audio signals are processed through a digital signal processor in the first hearing assistance device to enhance the amplitude of the desired signal via constructive interference. The combined signal is then routed through a multi-channel compressor in the first hearing assistance device to apply gain and frequency shaping as appropriate for the hearing profile of the listener, converted to an analog signal in a digital-analog converter, and then transduced and output to the user.