Hearing Device Tonal Signal Detection via Parametric Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for distinguishing between sinusoidal and noise signals in audio processing, particularly in hearing devices, are inadequate for reliable and efficient detection, which is crucial for enhancing speech signals and feedback cancellation.
Innovation Solution
A method that decomposes input signals into band-limited components using an analysis filter bank, estimates parameters for a parametric tonal signal model, synthesizes predicted signals, and determines a mismatch measure to indicate the presence of tonal signals, enabling improved feedback cancellation in hearing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex tonal signal detection methods are used to improve detection reliability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input signal is decomposed into multiple band-limited signals using an analysis filter bank, dividing the complex detection task into simpler frequency-band-specific operations. This segmentation allows tonal detection to be performed independently in each frequency band, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the tonal signal detection problem into parameter estimation by fitting a parametric model to each band-limited signal. By changing from direct spectral analysis to parametric model fitting, the method achieves reliable detection with lower computational requirements suitable for battery-powered hearing devices.
2Reliability
If advanced signal processing is applied to improve feedback cancellation, then feedback cancellation performance is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Feedback cancellation is performed separately in each frequency band after signal decomposition. This band-wise processing reduces the computational burden compared to full-spectrum processing, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining effective feedback cancellation performance across the entire audio range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic updates of the feedback model parameters based on tonal signal detection results. By updating parameters only when tonal signals are detected rather than continuously, the system achieves effective feedback cancellation with reduced computational activity and lower energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention proposes a method for providing at least one indication regarding whether an input signal contains a tonal signal component. The proposed method comprises decomposing the input signal into a plurality of band-limited input signals and then for each of one or more of the plurality of band-limited input signals performing the following step: estimating parameters of a parametric tonal signal model adapted to model and predict a tonal-only signal component of a selected one of the one or more of the plurality of band-limited input signals; synthesizing based on the estimated parameters a corresponding predicted band-limited input signal; and determining a measure of mismatch between the selected band-limited input signal and the corresponding predicted band-limited input signal. Subsequently, the at least one indication is provided based on the measure of mismatch determined for at least one of the one or more of the plurality of band-limited input signals. Furthermore, a method for operating a hearing device is proposed, which employs such a method for detecting tonal signals, and a hearing device with a feedback canceller is presented, which relies on a tonal signal detector in order to improve feedback cancelling.