Hearing Profile Audio Processing for Perceptual Threshold Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing perceptual audio encoders are based on a generic psychoacoustic model of an ideal listener, failing to account for individual hearing profiles, leading to perceptible differences in audio quality for listeners with varying hearing abilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize different sets of digital signal processing parameters based on specific hearing profiles to generate differentially processed audio samples, allowing users to identify audio quality differences and determine hearing thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a generic psychoacoustic model of an ideal listener is used for audio encoding, then the encoded audio is suitable for consumption by all listeners, but listeners with varying hearing abilities perceive noticeable differences in audio quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the psychoacoustic model parameters based on the user's hearing profile. Instead of using a static generic model, the encoder adapts its behavior to match the specific hearing characteristics of the target user, thereby achieving both universal compatibility and personalized audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the psychoacoustic model according to the user's hearing profile. By modifying parameters such as masking thresholds and critical band widths to match individual hearing abilities, the encoder produces audio that is optimized for each user's specific auditory characteristics.
2Productivity
If audio is encoded once with a generic model, then the encoding process is simple and efficient, but it cannot account for individual hearing profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining and analyzing the user's hearing profile before the actual audio encoding process. This preliminary step allows the generic encoder to be customized for the specific user, enabling both efficiency and personalization without requiring a complete redesign of the encoding workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains the universality of the generic audio encoder while adding multi-functionality through hearing profile adaptation. The same encoder can serve multiple users with different hearing characteristics by loading different profile parameters, thus achieving both efficiency through code reuse and adaptability through configuration.
3Loss of energy
If perceptual audio encoders discard perceptually irrelevant information, then the data rate is reduced, but the psychoacoustic model is based on an ideal listener rather than aged listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the psychoacoustic model parameters to reflect the hearing characteristics of aged listeners instead of ideal listeners. By adjusting parameters such as masking thresholds and frequency sensitivity to match age-related hearing degradation, the encoder discards information that is truly irrelevant for the target user while retaining information that remains perceptible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by tailoring the perceptual model to specific frequency ranges and masking characteristics relevant to the user's hearing profile. Instead of using a uniform model across all frequencies, the encoder adjusts the discarding of information locally based on the user's specific hearing thresholds and masking patterns at different frequencies.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are techniques for audio processing. For instance, a process can include obtaining a first set of digital signal processing (DSP) parameters associated with a first hearing profile and a second set of DSP parameters associated with a second hearing profile different than the first hearing profile. One or more differentially processed audio samples can be output, each including a first audio output signal generated by processing a first audio signal using the first set of DSP parameters and a second audio output signal generated by processing a second audio signal using the second set of DSP parameters. For each differentially processed audio sample, a user input can be obtained indicative of the first or second audio output signal having a lower audio quality. One or more user hearing thresholds can be determined based on the respective user input obtained for each respective differentially processed audio sample.