Hearing Device Beamforming Controller for Dynamic Noise Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing device manufacturers face challenges in developing devices that effectively mimic normal hearing and human brain perception, particularly in noisy environments and social interactions, where existing beamforming methods may overly suppress off-axis talkers, leading to tunnel hearing and poor speech intelligibility.
Innovation Solution
A binaural hearing system with a hearing device that utilizes ear-to-ear audio streaming and off-axis source steering, employing a beamforming controller to optimize coefficients based on acoustic environment parameters and user preferences, ensuring smooth transitions between beamforming settings for improved speech intelligibility and situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If beamforming is applied to suppress off-axis noise, then noise reduction is improved, but speech intelligibility deteriorates due to overly suppressive noise reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming controller dynamically adjusts beamforming coefficients based on acoustic environment parameters and user preferences, transitioning between different beamforming settings rather than using a fixed configuration. This allows the system to adapt noise suppression levels to match current listening conditions, preventing excessive suppression that would harm speech intelligibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes beamforming parameters (coefficients) based on detected acoustic environment parameters such as noise level, speech presence, and reverberation. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between noise reduction and speech preservation according to the specific acoustic context.
2Loss of information
If beamforming coefficients are adjusted to improve speech intelligibility, then speech clarity is improved, but noise suppression capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming controller continuously monitors acoustic environment parameters and dynamically transitions between beamforming settings to maintain optimal performance. When speech intelligibility is compromised, the system adjusts coefficients to restore clarity; when noise becomes dominant, it enhances suppression, creating a dynamic balance between the two competing objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from acoustic environment analysis to continuously adjust beamforming coefficients. The beamforming controller evaluates current acoustic conditions and modifies the beamforming settings accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal speech intelligibility and noise suppression balance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beamforming settings are used to handle different acoustic environments, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming controller implements dynamic transitions between a有限的 set of predefined beamforming settings based on acoustic environment parameters. Rather than managing an unlimited number of configurations, the system uses a controlled set of settings that can be smoothly transitioned between, reducing computational complexity while maintaining adaptability to different listening conditions.
4Ease of operation
If smooth transitions between beamforming settings are implemented, then user comfort is improved, but response time to environmental changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming controller implements periodic or gradual transitions between beamforming settings rather than instantaneous switches. This periodic action creates smooth auditory transitions that are comfortable for users while still responding to environmental changes. The system balances transition smoothness with responsiveness by using controlled transition rates that adapt to the urgency of environmental changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hearing device (2) of a binaural hearing system is disclosed, the binaural hearing system comprising the hearing device and a contralateral hearing device. The hearing device comprises: a transceiver module (4) for communication with the contralateral hearing device of the binaural system, the transceiver module configured for provision of a contralateral signal (5) received from the contralateral hearing device; and a set of microphones comprising a first microphone (6) and a second microphone (8) for provision of a first microphone input signal (6A) and a second microphone input signal (8A), respectively. The hearing device comprises: a beamforming module (10) connected to the first microphone (6) and the second microphone (8) for processing the first microphone input signal (6A), the second microphone input signal (8A) and the contralateral signal (5), the beamforming module configured to provide a first beamformed input signal (10A). The hearing device comprises a beamforming controller (12) connected to the beamforming module (10) and the transceiver module (4).