Abstract: The present invention features systems for dynamically adjusting audio signals by applying a gain to the signal in a spectrally varying manner to compensate for ambient noise, such that the sound is perceived to be unchanged in volume and spectral composition by the listener. The system obtains a threshold elevation for each frequency component by analyzing the spectral composition of the ambient noise. This threshold elevation is then used by a psychoacoustic model of hearing to determine an appropriate gain adjustment for the corresponding frequency component of the source signal which will make that source signal perceived by the human ear to be just as loud as if the noise were not present.

Abstract: The present invention features systems for adjusting audio signals by applying a gain to the signal in a spectrally varying manner to compensate for ambient noise in the environment of the listener. The system allows a listener to hear what ought to be heard, over the ambient noise, by applying a gain to the source that varies according to the spectral composition of the noise, rather than cancelling or filtering the noise. The spectral composition of the source is thus preserved in the listener's awareness without the removal of the noise signal. After application of these corrective gains to the source, the listener's perception of the source sound is as if the noise was not present. Systems may be incorporated into apparatuses including but not limited to mobile phones and music players.