Hearing Device Impulse Suppression via Frequency Domain Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing impaired individuals experience discomfort due to sound impulses with high sound pressure levels, as existing hearing aids with long time constants for dynamic sound level compression distort temporal characteristics of speech and exacerbate the recruitment effect.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device that converts sound into an audio signal, subjects it to frequency transformation, detects sound impulses, processes the signal to attenuate them, and emits the processed sound, using a sound impulse detector and suppressor configured for operation in the frequency domain, with adjustable thresholds and attenuation based on sound environment and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dynamic sound level compression with long time constants is used in hearing aids, then speech temporal characteristics are preserved, but discomfort from sound impulses is exacerbated due to the recruitment effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into two distinct paths: a main signal path with long time constant compression for speech preservation, and a separate impulse detection path with short time constant analysis for impulse identification. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary impulse detection and attenuation before the compressed signal is delivered to the user. By detecting impulses in the frequency domain and attenuating them in advance, the system prevents the recruitment effect from amplifying uncomfortable impulses while maintaining normal speech processing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hearing device attenuates sound impulses, then user comfort is improved, but temporal characteristics of speech may be distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sound impulses in the frequency domain before they reach the output stage. By identifying and attenuating impulses early in the signal chain, the system protects users from discomfort while maintaining the integrity of subsequent speech signals that pass through the normal compression path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic attenuation that adapts to the detected impulse characteristics. The attenuation amount and duration are adjusted based on the severity and type of impulse detected, ensuring that only necessary modifications are made to protect user comfort while preserving natural speech characteristics.
3Measurement precision
If frequency domain detection is used for impulse detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary frequency domain transformation step that converts the time-domain audio signal into the frequency domain for impulse detection. This intermediary representation makes impulse characteristics more distinguishable while allowing efficient processing through established Fourier transformation algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device includes: at least one microphone for converting sound received by the at least one microphone into an audio signal; a sound impulse detector configured for detecting a presence of an impulse in the audio signal; and a signal processor configured for processing the audio signal into a processed audio signal in response to the presence of the impulse in the audio signal as detected by the sound impulse detector; and a receiver coupled to the signal processor for converting the processed audio signal into an output sound signal for emission towards an eardrum of a user; wherein the sound impulse detector is configured for operation in a frequency domain for detecting presence of the impulse in the audio signal.