Abstract: An audio processor (200) for a hearing device has a noise estimator (100), an adaptive noise canceller (110), and a dynamic range compressor (120) to provide a gain according to a signal strength of an input signal. A signal strength processor (130) determines a signal strength dependent noise cancellation parameter, and the adaptive noise canceller provides noise cancellation of the input signal according to an estimated noise from the noise estimator, and according to the signal strength dependent noise cancellation parameter, so as to provide less noise cancellation when the input signal has higher signal strength than when the input signal has a lower signal strength. This helps retain the desirable environment or ambient type noise, present when the signal strength is higher, while providing more cancellation of undesirable circuit type noise when there is low input signal strength.

Abstract: For monitoring acoustic energy experienced by a user of a headset (20, 25), a processor (30) and a user interface (90) are provided, the processor having a monitoring part (40) to obtain an accumulated acoustic energy already experienced, to determine (60) a remaining allowable acoustic energy up to a maximum allowable daily threshold. A predicted remaining listening time is determined (70) based on an actual rate of acoustic energy, and on the remaining allowable acoustic energy, and is output visually or acoustically using the user interface. This helps enable the user to control their exposure with or without prior user input of an expected period of listening time. It can be updated after a change in volume control by the user. A gain control mode involves controlling the gain to cause the accumulated acoustic energy to reach the maximum allowable daily threshold at the end of a user defined period.

Abstract: An audio processor (200) for a hearing device has a noise estimator (100), an adaptive noise canceller (110), and a dynamic range compressor (120) to provide a gain according to a signal strength of an input signal. A signal strength processor (130) determines a signal strength dependent noise cancellation parameter, and the adaptive noise canceller provides noise cancellation of the input signal according to an estimated noise from the noise estimator, and according to the signal strength dependent noise cancellation parameter, so as to provide less noise cancellation when the input signal has higher signal strength than when the input signal has a lower signal strength. This helps retain the desirable environment or ambient type noise, present when the signal strength is higher, while providing more cancellation of undesirable circuit type noise when there is low input signal strength.