Hearing Device Speech Prediction to Preserve Speech Intelligibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids often reduce background noise but can excessively dampen frequencies necessary for speech recognition, leading to reduced speech intelligibility.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hearing device system that includes speech recognition, prediction of future speech, and dynamic adjustment of signal processing settings to enhance speech intelligibility by amplifying frequencies relevant to the predicted speech.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If background noise reduction is applied through frequency damping, then background noise is reduced, but speech intelligibility deteriorates due to excessive damping of necessary frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device dynamically adjusts signal processing settings in real-time based on predicted speech content. The system continuously analyzes audio signals, predicts future speech, and adapts frequency amplification/damping parameters accordingly, transforming static noise reduction into dynamic speech-enhanced processing that maintains intelligibility while reducing background noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary speech prediction by analyzing current audio signals to forecast future speech content before it fully arrives. This advance prediction allows the signal processing unit to pre-configure appropriate frequency settings, ensuring that when speech occurs, the necessary frequencies are already amplified and ready for optimal intelligibility.
Solution Approach 3:
The invention changes signal processing parameters (amplification and damping levels) based on predicted speech characteristics. Instead of fixed frequency damping for noise reduction, the system adjusts parameters dynamically according to predicted speech content, amplifying speech-relevant frequencies while damping background noise frequencies only when speech is predicted.
2Device complexity
If fixed signal processing settings are used for different situations, then device complexity is reduced, but speech intelligibility deteriorates due to compromise settings that cannot optimize for specific speech content
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes signal processing parameters dynamically based on predicted speech content. Instead of using fixed compromise settings, the hearing device adjusts amplification and damping parameters in real-time according to what speech is predicted to occur, optimizing intelligibility for each specific speech event without increasing fundamental device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing audio input, predicting speech content, and configuring its own signal processing settings without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the device to optimize speech intelligibility dynamically while maintaining simple operation for the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a hearing device system having a hearing device, in which an audio signal is sensed. Speech is recognized in the audio signal, and a prediction for future speech is created on the basis of the recognized speech. A setting for a signal processing unit is determined for the prediction. An additional audio signal is sensed, and the additional audio signal is further processed via the signal processing unit, wherein the setting is used. The invention additionally relates to a hearing device system.