Abstract: Embodiments for characterizing ear canal acoustic impedance and reflectance by pole-zero fitting are disclosed. Embodiments include transmitting an acoustic signal into an ear canal by a transducer having an acoustic source pressure. Further embodiments, measure complex cavity pressure, P(f), response based on the transmitted acoustic signal reflected by eardrum using an acoustic measurement device. Additional, such embodiments, calculate complex acoustic reflectance (CAR) based on the P(f). Other embodiments determine number of poles and zeroes of CAR pole-zero model to reduce residual error between the CAR pole-zero model and CAR data stored in memory within a threshold. Also, embodiments verify the residual error of CAR pole-zero model compared to the CAR data is within the threshold. Further, embodiments factor the CAR pole-zero model into an all pass component and a minimum phase component. Additional embodiments determine ear drum impedance by removing the all phase component of the CAR pole-zero model.

Abstract: Embodiments for characterizing ear canal acoustic impedance and reflectance by pole-zero fitting are disclosed. Embodiments include transmitting an acoustic signal into an ear canal by a transducer having an acoustic source pressure. Further embodiments, measure complex cavity pressure, P(f), response based on the transmitted acoustic signal reflected by eardrum using an acoustic measurement device. Additional, such embodiments, calculate complex acoustic reflectance (CAR) based on the P(f). Other embodiments determine number of poles and zeroes of CAR pole-zero model to reduce residual error between the CAR pole-zero model and CAR data stored in memory within a threshold. Also, embodiments verify the residual error of CAR pole-zero model compared to the CAR data is within the threshold. Further, embodiments factor the CAR pole-zero model into an all pass component and a minimum phase component. Additional embodiments determine ear drum impedance by removing the all phase component of the CAR pole-zero model.

Abstract: Method and system for automatically adjusting a hearing aid. The method includes measuring an acoustic reflectance associated with an ear canal as a function of an incident pressure and an acoustic frequency, processing information associated with the measured acoustic reflectance, determining a reflectance slope based on, at least, information associated with the measured acoustic reflectance, and adjusting, at least, one parameter associated with the hearing aid based on, at least, information associated with the reflectance slope. The reflectance slope is associated with a reflectance component varying with the incident pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting features in spoken speech and processing speech sounds based on the features are provided. One or more features may be identified in a speech sound. The speech sound may be modified to enhance or reduce the degree to which the feature affects the sound ultimately heard by a listener. Systems and methods according to embodiments of the invention may allow for automatic speech recognition devices that enhance detection and recognition of spoken sounds, such as by a user of a hearing aid or other device.

Abstract: Method and System for characterizing an incident pressure wave in a hearing test. The method includes introducing a sound signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude into an ear canal, measuring at least a sound pressure level (Pm) in the ear canal, processing information associated with the sound pressure level, obtaining at least an acoustic reflectance (R) based on information associated with the sound pressure level, and determining an incident wave pressure parameter (P+) in the car canal according to the following formula: P + = P m 1 + R .

Abstract: Method and System for characterizing an incident pressure wave in a hearing test. The method includes introducing a sound signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude into an ear canal, measuring at least a sound pressure level (Pm) in the ear canal, processing information associated with the sound pressure level, obtaining at least an acoustic reflectance (R) based on information associated with the sound pressure level, and determining an incident wave pressure parameter (P+) in the car canal according to the following formula: P + = P m 1 + R .

Abstract: Method and System for characterizing an incident pressure wave in a hearing test. The method includes introducing a sound signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude into an ear canal, measuring at least a sound pressure level (Pm) in the ear canal, processing information associated with the sound pressure level, obtaining at least an acoustic reflectance (R) based on information associated with the sound pressure level, and determining an incident wave pressure parameter (P+) in the ear canal according to the following formula: P + = P m 1 + R .

Abstract: A system and method for phone detection. The system includes a microphone configured to receive a speech signal in an acoustic domain and convert the speech signal from the acoustic domain to an electrical domain, and a filter bank coupled to the microphone and configured to receive the converted speech signal and generate a plurality of channel speech signals corresponding to a plurality of channels respectively. Additionally, the system includes a plurality of onset enhancement devices configured to receive the plurality of channel speech signals and generate a plurality of onset enhanced signals. Each of the plurality of onset enhancement devices is configured to receive one of the plurality of channel speech signals, enhance one or more onsets of one or more signal pulses for the received one of the plurality of channel speech signals, and generate one of the plurality of onset enhanced signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems of identifying speech sound features within a speech sound are provided. The sound features may be identified using a multi-dimensional analysis that analyzes the time, frequency, and intensity at which a feature occurs within a speech sound, and the contribution of the feature to the sound. Information about sound features may be used to enhance spoken speech sounds to improve recognizability of the speech sounds by a listener.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting features in spoken speech and processing speech sounds based on the features are provided. One or more features may be identified in a speech sound. The speech sound may be modified to enhance or reduce the degree to which the feature affects the sound ultimately heard by a listener. Systems and methods according to embodiments of the invention may allow for automatic speech recognition devices that enhance detection and recognition of spoken sounds, such as by a user of a hearing aid or other device.

Abstract: Method and system for automatically adjusting a hearing aid. The method includes measuring an acoustic reflectance associated with an ear canal as a function of an incident pressure and an acoustic frequency, processing information associated with the measured acoustic reflectance, determining a reflectance slope based on, at least, information associated with the measured acoustic reflectance, and adjusting, at least, one parameter associated with the hearing aid based on, at least, information associated with the reflectance slope. The reflectance slope is associated with a reflectance component varying with the incident pressure.

Abstract: Method and system for automatically adjusting a hearing aid. The method includes measuring an acoustic reflectance associated with an ear canal as a function of an incident pressure and an acoustic frequency, processing information associated with the measured acoustic reflectance, determining a reflectance slope based on, at least, information associated with the measured acoustic reflectance, and adjusting, at least, one parameter associated with the hearing aid based on, at least, information associated with the reflectance slope. The reflectance slope is associated with a reflectance component varying with the incident pressure.

Abstract: Method and System for characterizing an incident pressure wave in a hearing test. The method includes introducing a sound signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude into an ear canal, measuring at least a sound pressure level (Pm) in the ear canal, processing information associated with the sound pressure level, obtaining at least an acoustic reflectance (R) based on information associated with the sound pressure level, and determining an incident wave pressure parameter (P+) in the ear canal according to the following formula: P + = P m 1 + R .

Abstract: A sensory type pattern such as a speech or other sound pattern is analyzed to obtain the spectral distribution of the neural response thereto. A plurality of logarithmically related neural response intensity threshold signals is formed. The frequency spectrum of the sensory type pattern is divided into a plurality of overlapping spectral portions and the waveform of each prescribed spectral portion is partitioned into successive time segments. For the current time segment of each spectral portion waveform, the time intervals between crossings of the neural response intensity threshold level signals by the spectral portion waveform are detected and signals representative of the counts of inverse time intervals between the crossings of the plurality of levels are generated to form an inverse time interval histogram for the spectral portion.