Hearing Device Acoustic Scene Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern hearing devices face challenges in automatically adapting their transfer functions to varying acoustic environments, often resulting in unpredictable and undesirable settings, which can be annoying to users and difficult to optimize for speech intelligibility.
Innovation Solution
The hearing device employs a method that analyzes the current acoustic environment by classifying it against predetermined classes, using similarity factors to weight and mix base parameter sets for continuous adaptation of transfer function parameters, preventing sudden changes and ensuring robust and reproducible settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automatic recognition of acoustic scene and program switching is implemented, then adaptability to varying acoustic environments is improved, but device complexity increases due to pattern recognition units and algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the hearing device by continuously adapting transfer function parameters based on acoustic scene characteristics. Instead of discrete program switching, the system adjusts parameters smoothly according to measured acoustic properties, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device performs automatic acoustic scene analysis and self-adjusts its transfer function without user intervention. The system services itself by continuously monitoring the acoustic environment and autonomously optimizing parameters, eliminating the need for manual program selection and reducing operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fuzzy logic is used for continuous adaptation of transfer function, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unpredictable results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors acoustic scene characteristics and adjusts transfer function parameters accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures predictable and reliable adaptation by base adjustments on actual measured conditions rather than unpredictable fuzzy logic inference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines multiple transfer function parameter sets corresponding to different acoustic scenes. Instead of using unpredictable fuzzy logic to generate parameters, the system selects from pre-optimized parameter sets based on acoustic scene classification, ensuring reliability and predictability of settings.
3Device complexity
If discrete hearing programs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to sudden changes and user annoyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static discrete hearing programs to dynamic continuous parameter adaptation. The transfer function parameters are continuously adjusted based on acoustic scene characteristics, creating a dynamic system that smoothly adapts to changing environments without sudden transitions, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The method for operating a hearing device (1) having an adjustable transfer function (G) comprising M sub-functions (g1...gM), wherein M is an integer with M ≥ 1, and wherein said transfer function (G) describes how input audio signals (S1) generated by an input transducer unit (2) of said hearing device (1) relate to output audio signals (S2) to be fed to an output transducer unit (5) of said hearing device (1), comprises the steps of: - deriving said input audio signals (S1) from a current acoustic environment; and for each of said M sub-functions (g1,..., gM): - deriving, on the basis of said input audio signals (S1) and for each class of N classes (C1,...,CN) each of which describes a predetermined acoustic environment, a class similarity factor (p1;...;pN) indicative of the similarity of said current acoustic environment with the predetermined acoustic environment described by the respective class, wherein N is an integer with N ≥ 2; - deriving from N predetermined base parameter sets (B1/1,...,B1/N;...;BM/1,...,BM/N) assigned to the respective sub-function (g1;...;gM) and in dependence of said class similarity factors (p1,...,pN) an activity parameter set (a1;...;aM) for the respective sub-function (g1;...;gM), wherein each of said N base parameter sets (B1/1,...,B1/N;...;BM/1,...,BM/N) assigned to the respective sub-function (g1;...;gM) is assigned to a different class (C1;...;CN) of said N classes (C1,..., CN); - adjusting the respective sub-function (g1;...;gM) by means of said activity parameter set (a1;...; aM). It is suggested to use a time-averaged activity parameter set (a1*). An improved adaptation of the hearing device to a current acoustic environment can be achieved.