Multi-Band Audio Compression for Sensorineural Hearing Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aid processing methods, relying on linear filtering techniques, are inadequate for providing an enhanced audio experience for hearing-impaired individuals, especially when consuming audio content with limited dynamic range, as they fail to effectively address the unique hearing profiles and non-linear auditory systems of users with sensorineural hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining a user's masking contour curve, deriving a target masking contour curve, and parameterizing a digital compression system to enhance audio signals, allowing for customized processing based on individual hearing profiles, including those with mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss, by using multi-band compression techniques that adapt to the user's specific hearing abilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If linear filtering techniques such as equalization are used to compensate for hearing loss, then frequency gain can be adjusted according to user's hearing profile, but the method is only applicable to conductive hearing loss and cannot effectively address sensorineural hearing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the audio signal processing approach by changing from linear filtering parameters to non-linear dynamic compression parameters. The system uses the user's audiogram data to determine compression ratios and threshold levels for multiple frequency bands, thereby adapting the processing method to match the non-linear characteristics of sensorineural hearing loss while maintaining individualized treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic range compression that continuously adapts to the instantaneous amplitude and frequency content of the audio signal. The compression parameters (ratio, threshold, attack, release) are dynamically adjusted based on the user's hearing profile across different frequency bands, enabling the system to respond to varying signal conditions in real-time rather than applying static linear filtering
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional hearing aid processing with wide dynamic range compression is applied, then faint sounds can be amplified considerably, but the processing degrades the quality of recorded audio content with already compressed dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic range compression selectively and partially to recorded audio content. By analyzing the instantaneous dynamic range of the input signal and comparing it to the user's hearing thresholds, the system applies compression only to the extent necessary to bring faint sounds into the audible range, avoiding excessive compression that would degrade the quality of already compressed digital audio content
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs real-time dynamic analysis of the audio signal to adaptively control compression parameters. The compression ratio and threshold are dynamically adjusted based on the instantaneous signal level and spectral content, allowing the system to provide beneficial amplification of faint sounds while preserving the natural dynamics of recorded content where appropriate
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-band dynamic range compression is used to match user's hearing profile, then sound perception can be optimized for individual hearing abilities, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio spectrum into multiple frequency bands (typically 3-8 bands) and applies independent dynamic compression parameters to each band based on the user's hearing thresholds at those frequencies. This segmentation allows the system to address different frequency regions with appropriately tailored compression settings, optimizing sound perception across the entire audible spectrum while maintaining manageable processing complexity through modular band processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines compression parameters (threshold, ratio, attack, release) for each frequency band by referencing the user's audiogram data. The processing leverages the existing structure of digital audio codecs and the statistical properties of audio content to efficiently implement multi-band compression without requiring prohibitively complex processing, thereby achieving individualized hearing profile matching with practical computational requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method of enhancing an audio signal from an audio output device is provided. For a frequency band, a user masking contour curve covering at least a part of said frequency band is obtained, a target masking contour curve is derived from the user masking contour curve, and a multi-band digital compression system is parameterized based on the sound level of the target masking contour curve at a given frequency and the sound level of the user masking contour curve at the same given frequency. The obtained parameters are outputted to provide an enhanced audio signal.