Telecoil Interference Cancellation for Hearing Device Hum Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with telecoils are susceptible to periodic interference from magnetic fields, causing annoying 'hum' and 'buzz' noises that mask important speech cues and degrade sound quality, especially in environments with electrical equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses signal processing to identify and cancel periodic interference by determining a base period, averaging clip samples, and inverting the averaged clip to sum with the original signal, effectively reducing the interference while preserving desired audio content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a telecoil is used to receive magnetic field signals, then the signal to noise ratio is improved, but periodic interference from magnetic fields causes hum and buzz noises that mask speech cues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the harmful periodic interference signal through the telecoil, processes it to extract the interference pattern, inverts it, and adds it back to the original signal. This converts the harmful interference into a beneficial cancellation mechanism, where the inverted interference signal destructively interferes with the original interference, effectively removing it while preserving the desired audio content.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If signal processing is applied to remove periodic interference, then sound quality is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal into discrete samples and processes them in manageable units. By dividing the continuous audio stream into individual samples that can be independently analyzed and processed, the system handles complex interference removal through systematic, step-by-step operations rather than attempting to process the entire signal at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or analog filtering systems with digital signal processing operations. Instead of using physical filters or mechanical systems to remove interference, the invention uses mathematical operations (sampling, averaging, inversion, and addition) performed by a processor, which are more flexible and controllable while reducing hardware complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces periodic interference, improving sound quality and audibility of desired signals by minimizing 'hum' and 'buzz' noises without compromising the original sound features, thus enhancing the listening experience for hearing device users.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor configured to receive an inductive input
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for removing periodic interference from a telecoil signal for ear-wearable devices. A method includes receiving a signal from a telecoil of a hearing device, and determining a base period of periodic interference present in the signal. The signal is divided into clip samples having a clip length based on the base period, and the clip samples are used to create an averaged clip of the periodic interference. The averaged clip of periodic interference is inverted and summed with the signal to cancel the periodic interference from the signal, and audio from the summed signal is played for a wearer of the hearing device.