Abstract: Improved approaches to assist those having hearing loss are disclosed. One approach pertains to providing on-line hearing loss testing. The on-line hearing loss testing can be self-performed without any specialized equipment. Another approach pertains to on-line sound customization. The sound customization can simulate hearing compensation on-line. As an example, the hearing compensation can be used to simulate hearing aid processing. Still another approach pertains to a recommendation and/or referral procedure.

Abstract: Improved approaches to control directional processing in multi-microphone processing systems. These approaches operate to control activation/deactivation of directional processing in multi-microphone processing systems. As a result, directional processing can be automatically activated or deactivated based on the amount of interference (e.g., noise) in the listening environment. These approaches are particularly useful for hearing aid applications in which directional noise suppression is important.

Abstract: Improved approaches to adaptively suppress interfering noise in a multi-microphone directional system are disclosed. These approaches operate to adapt the direction null for the multi-microphone directional system in accordance with a dominant noise source.

Abstract: Improved approaches to adaptively suppress interfering noise in a multi-microphone directional system are disclosed. These approaches operate to adapt the direction null for the multi-microphone directional system in accordance with a dominant noise source.

Abstract: A method of calculating a single number summarizing the performance of a device for transmitting, amplifying, or reproducing acoustic speech signals. The number can be used for evaluation and comparison of characteristics of devices for conveying speech, for instance to choose a hearing aid prescription. In the method, for each device of a plurality of acoustic devices, intelligibility measurements are obtained for speech signals transmitted from or reproduced by the device under multiple of listening conditions, and a weighted sum of the device's intelligibility measurements is formed. From among the plurality of devices, the one device best overall suited to the plurality of listening conditions is chosen by comparing the weighted sums and selecting the device with the largest corresponding weighted sum.