Noise Compensation Circuit Patents (Class 381/317)
  • Patent number: 8989415
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method including receiving a first signal from an input device of a hearing aid. The first signal may include a noise signal. The computer-implemented method may include low-pass filtering first periodic samples of the first signal, and the first periodic samples may be approximately periodic with respect to a period of the noise signal. The computer-implemented method may further include low-pass filtering second periodic samples of the first signal, and the second periodic samples may be approximately periodic with respect to the period of the noise signal. The second periodic samples may also be phase shifted relative to the first periodic samples. Hearing aid systems and apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sonic Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Wilson
  • Patent number: 8989417
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are described herein related to implementing stereo audio using bone conduction transducers (BCTs). A wearable computing device can receive audio signals effective to cause the wearable computing device to provide stereo sound to a first ear and a second ear opposite the first ear. The wearable computing device can also apply a transform to the audio signals so as to determine other audio signals that are out of phase with the audio signals and effective to substantially cancel crosstalk signals resulting from the audio signals, where the transform may be based on one or more wearer-specific parameters. The wearable computing device may then cause two BCTs to vibrate substantially simultaneous to each other so as to provide the stereo sound to the first ear and the second ear and substantially cancel the crosstalk signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Xuan Zhong, Jianchun Dong
  • Patent number: 8976990
    Abstract: A listening device comprises an input transducer providing an electric input signal comprising audio and a detector coupled to the input transducer, for determining whether the electric input signal is a broadband signal or not and providing a detection signal in response. The listening device furthermore comprises a controllable filter for filtering the electric input signal being coupled to the detector and the input transducer and for outputting a filtered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is a broadband signal, and outputting an unfiltered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is not dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is not a broadband signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Patent number: 8964997
    Abstract: Ambient sound is masked by receiving an audio signal, monitoring an acoustic signal that includes components of both the ambient sound the audio signal, determining a sound level sufficient to at least partially mask the ambient sound, and reproducing the received audio signal to produce an output acoustic signal at the determined sound level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel M. Gauger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8958586
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for classifying a sound environment for hearing assistance devices using redundant estimates of an acoustical environment from two hearing assistance devices and accessory devices. In one example, a method for operating a hearing assistance device includes sensing an environmental sound, determining a first classification of the environmental sound, receiving at least one second classification of the environmental sound, comparing the determined first classification and the at least one received second classification, and selecting an operational classification for the hearing assistance device based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Preves
  • Publication number: 20150043765
    Abstract: A hearing assistance system includes a pair of left and right hearing assistance devices to be worn by a wearer and uses both of the left and right hearing assistance devices to detect the voice of the wearer. The left and right hearing assistance devices each include first and second microphones at different locations. Various embodiments detect the voice of the wearer using signals produced by the first and second microphones of the left hearing assistance device and the first and second microphones of the right hearing assistance device. Various embodiments use outcome of detection of the voice of the wearer performed by the left hearing assistance device and the outcome of detection of the voice of the wearer performed the right hearing assistance device to determine whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ivo Merks
  • Publication number: 20150036856
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses for integration of hearing aids with an MSD to improve intelligibility in noisy environments. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method of providing voice audio to a hearing aid or text in a hearing aid user's field of view, where the voice audio or text corresponds to a speaker of interest within a noisy environment, and where the speaker of interest is identified using smart glasses. An MSD graphical user interface is provided for a hearing aid user to identify a speaker of interest. The lip movement patterns of the speaker of interest are recorded by the smart glasses, and voice activity detection is performed on the lip movement patterns. Noise reduction is performed using the results of the voice activity detection. The noise-reduced voice audio may be transmitted to the hearing aid, or the speech recognition text may be transmitted to and displayed on the MSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarun Pruthi, Xavier Chabot
  • Patent number: 8948426
    Abstract: A hearing aid having a plurality of frequency bands is calibrated by evaluating the response of the hearing aid in each band and programming the hearing aid to produce a specific sound pressure level in each band, thereby providing a calibrated instrument that can be used for both evaluation and compensation of hearing loss. The sound pressure levels are preferably the same for each band. The evaluation step is preferably performed at the center frequency of each band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zounds Hearing, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel L. Thomasson, Scott Raymond Fink
  • Patent number: 8948424
    Abstract: A filter bank with a sufficiently high resolution for amplification and noise reduction and with the lowest possible computational complexity is provided for a hearing device and, in particular, for a hearing aid. Two-stage frequency transformation with little latency is therefore proposed for hearing aids. Some of the processing, for example the amplification, is carried out after high stopband attenuation in the first stage. An increased frequency resolution is achieved in a second stage before the back-transformation in the first stage, which is favorable for noise reduction, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timo Gerkmann, Rainer Martin, Henning Puder, Wolfgang Soergel
  • Publication number: 20150030191
    Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device worn by a hearing device user. The method includes picking up an audio signal (a) by an input transducer of the hearing device. The audio signal (a) includes a source signal (s) of a sound source (SS) and a disturbing signal (d) of a disturbing source (DS). The method also includes receiving a transmission signal (d_AIS) via an interface unit of the hearing device. The transmission signal (d_AIS) includes the disturbing signal (d) or at least characteristic features of the disturbing signal (d). The method also includes at least partially eliminating the disturbing signal (d) from the audio signal (a) by using the disturbing signal (d) transmitted by the transmission signal (d_AIS) or by using the characteristic features of the disturbing signal (d) transmitted by the transmission signal (d_AIS) for obtaining an adjusted audio signal (a*), and processing the adjusted audio signal (a*).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Ivo Hasler, Micha Knaus
  • Patent number: 8938082
    Abstract: A portable terminal includes an apparatus capable of providing a hearing aid service. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to measure a spatial tilt of the portable terminal. The apparatus also includes a controller that determines whether a left ear or a right ear is used for communication based on the measured spatial tilt of the portable terminal. An audio signal processor compensates an audio signal according to the characteristic of determined ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju-Yeol Bae
  • Publication number: 20150016647
    Abstract: A signal processor for a hearing device with an implantable stimulator having two or more electrodes for emitting electric charge pulses to neural-fibres of an individual. The processor has a signal path comprising an input circuit adapted to receive an acoustic-signal from the surroundings and provide at least one corresponding input audio-signal; a filter bank adapted to provide at least one band-limited audio-signal in dependence on the at least one input audio-signal; and a noise filter adapted to attenuate undesired signal components in the at least one band-limited audio-signal and to provide at least one corresponding noise-filtered signal. The processor is characterised in that the portion of the signal path preceding the noise filter neither causes an effective level compression nor an effective level expansion of the at least one noise-filtered signal when the at least one noise-filtered signal is derived from an acoustic signal having a level within the comfortable acoustic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Manuel SEGOVIA MARTINEZ, Jonathan LAUDANSKI, Dan GNANSIA, Yves WENZINGER, Bertrand PHILPPON, Emilie DAANOUNI
  • Patent number: 8929574
    Abstract: A hearing aid has means (15) for detecting fast transients in the input signal and means (16, 12, 13) for attenuating the detected transients prior to presenting the signal with the attenuated transients to a user. Detection is performed by measuring the peak difference of the signal upstream of a band split filter bank (11) and comparing the peak difference against at least one peak difference limit. Then, if a transient is detected, a state machine (20) analyzes the peak level and the absolute average level of the signal and engages a gain calculator (12) to follow either the peak level or the absolute average level of the input signal for at least the duration of the transient in order to attenuate the transient. The engagement of the gain calculator (12) is performed in each frequency band dependent of the detected transient. The invention further provides a method for detecting fast transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Jakob Nielsen, Peter Magnus Norgaard
  • Patent number: 8923539
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a hearing aid include a mechanism to detect the presence of a magnetic field using a magnetic sensing device disposed in a hearing aid, to digitally modify a frequency response of the hearing aid in response to the detection of the presence, and to modify the frequency response of the hearing aid in response to the magnetic sensing device determining removal of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bren, Lawrence T. Hagen, Randall W. Roberts, Timothy S. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8924220
    Abstract: In a multiband compressor 100, a level calculation unit 121 calculates a signal level inputted for each of bands, a gain calculation unit 122 calculates a gain value from the calculated signal level, and a gain limitation unit 130 limits a gain value by comparison with a gain value of the other band in a compressor for each band. With this configuration, provided is a multiband compressor capable of achieving a balance between the quality of sound and the effect of enhancing the sound level at a high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Limited (Hong Kong)
    Inventor: Satoshi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8908893
    Abstract: Multi-stage filter bank systems with filter banks of different bandwidth frequently cause interference in hearing apparatuses and in particular in hearing devices. Therefore a hearing apparatus is proposed with a filter bank system having a multi-stage analysis filter bank and/or a multi-stage synthesis filter bank, to break down an input signal of the hearing apparatus into a number of partial band signals by way of a number of filter bank channels and/or to recombine partial band signals of a number of filter bank channels. The filter bank system is equipped with at least one equalization filter, to equalize differences in the complex frequency responses between filter bank channels. It is thus possible in particular to equalize group delay time differences as well as attenuation and/or amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Alfsmann, Robert Bäuml, Henning Puder, Wolfgang Sörgel
  • Patent number: 8909523
    Abstract: A method determines a bias reduced noise and interference estimation in a binaural microphone configuration with a right and a left microphone signal at a time-frame with a target speaker active. The method includes a determination of the auto power spectral density estimate of the common noise formed of noise and interference components of the right and left microphone signals and a modification of the auto power spectral density estimate of the common noise by using an estimate of the magnitude squared coherence of the noise and interference components contained in the right and left microphone signals determined at a time frame without a target speaker active. An acoustic signal processing system and a hearing aid implement the method for determining the bias reduced noise and interference estimation. The noise reduction performance of speech enhancement algorithms is improved by the invention. Further, distortions of the target speech signal and residual noise and interference components are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter Kellermann, Klaus Reindl, Yuanhang Zheng
  • Publication number: 20140348359
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for binaural noise reduction for hearing assistance devices using information generated at a first hearing assistance device and information received from a second hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the present subject matter provides a gain measurement for noise reduction using information from a second hearing assistance device that is transferred at a lower bit rate or bandwidth by the use of coding for further quantization of the information to reduce the amount of information needed to make a gain calculation at the first hearing assistance device. The present subject matter can be used for hearing aids with wireless or wired connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Woods
  • Patent number: 8897463
    Abstract: A canalphone system may include a canalphone housing, and a first high frequency driver carried within the canalphone housing. The system may also include a second high frequency driver carried within the canalphone housing where the second high frequency driver is tuned with the first high frequency driver to deliver lower distortion than a standard canalphone high frequency driver and/or lower distortion than two standard canalphone high frequency drivers that are not tuned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jerry Harvey
  • Patent number: 8891777
    Abstract: A method of binaural signal enhancement in a binaural hearing aid system, includes providing at least one microphone audio signal in response to sound, providing an estimate of one of a target signal and a noise signal based on the at least one microphone audio signal, phase shifting the estimate of one of the target signal and the noise signal, providing a phase shifted signal in which the phase shifted estimate of one of the target signal and the noise signal substantially substitutes the respective one of the target signal and the noise signal, transmitting a first signal representing the phase shifted signal towards a first eardrum of a user of the binaural hearing aid system, and transmitting a second signal representing the at least one microphone audio signal towards a second eardrum of the user. A system for performing the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GN Resound A/S
    Inventors: Karl-Fredrik Johan Gran, Andrew Burke Dittberner
  • Patent number: 8879763
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to method and apparatus for detecting user activities within a hearing assistance device, and among other things, apparatus including a microphone for reception of sound and to generate a sound signal; an electret vibration sensor adapted to measure mechanical vibration and to produce a vibration signal; a signal processor, connected to the microphone and in communication with the electret vibration sensor, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and to process the vibration signal; and a housing adapted to house the signal processor. Variations provide a housing, microphone, and receiver in different configurations. In some variations wireless electronics are included and are used to communicate different signals. In some examples, the design is embodied in a variety of hearing aid configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Howard Burns, Matthew Green, Michael Karl Sacha
  • Patent number: 8867766
    Abstract: Audible signals (m2) which are transmitted via an uncontrolled transmission path (11) to an individual's ear wearing the control signal processing path (1) of a hearing device are compensated by audible signals (m3) which are produced by an additional controlled signal processing path (20). Signal processing parts are commonly exploited (25b, 25d, 7/27) by both controlled signal processing paths (1, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Hans-Ueli Roeck
  • Patent number: 8861759
    Abstract: A method is provided for adapting a feedback suppression device of a hearing device to a given situation in order to improve the quality of feedback suppression in hearing devices and in hearing aids in particular. In the method an adaptation procedure of the feedback suppression device is periodically activated and adaptation of the feedback suppression device is performed regularly even if a feedback detector does not detect a feedback situation. A feedback suppression device for a hearing device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pape, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Patent number: 8861745
    Abstract: A method of compensating for noise in a receiver having a first receiver unit and a second receiver unit, the method includes receiving a first transmission at the first receiver unit, the first transmission having a first signal component and a first noise component; receiving a second transmission at the second receive unit, the second transmission having a second signal component and a second noise component; determining whether the first noise component and the second noise component are incoherent and; only if it is determined that the first and second noise components are incoherent, processing the first and second transmissions in a first processing path, wherein the first processing path is configured to compensate for incoherent noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Xuejing Sun, Jeffrey S. Chisholm
  • Patent number: 8855344
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processing subsystem 1) dividing an audio signal presented to an auditory prosthesis patient into a plurality of signals each representative of a distinct frequency portion of the audio signal and each contained within a distinct analysis channel included in a plurality of analysis channels, 2) determining a sound level of each signal included in the plurality of signals, and 3) setting an amount of noise reduction applied to each signal included in the plurality of signals in accordance with the determined sound level of each signal included in the plurality of signals. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Aniket Saoji
  • Patent number: 8855343
    Abstract: An earpiece and method to control a level of audio reproduction within an occluded ear canal are provided. The method includes the steps of measuring an ambient sound level from an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) at an entrance to an occluded ear canal, measuring a residual background noise level within an occluded ear canal from an Ear Canal Microphone (ECM), measuring a level of audio content delivered to the occluded ear canal, and adjusting a gain of the audio content so as to maintain reproduction of the audio content within a predetermined level range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC.
    Inventors: John Usher, Steven Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8842862
    Abstract: The adjustment of a hearing device with regard to a current feedback path is to be designed in a more user-friendly manner. For this purpose, provision is made for hearing aid equipment, in particular a hearing device or a non-programmable device such as a headset, including a measuring device for measuring a feedback path and an operating facility for operating the hearing aid equipment by the wearer. The operating facility allows a measurement cycle to be activated to determine at least one characteristic of the feedback path. The hearing aid wearer can thus make adjustments themselves in terms of the feedback path and therefore does not have to rely on an acoustician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Tom Weidner
  • Publication number: 20140254842
    Abstract: System and methods can provide both hearing enhancement and hearing protection. An audiogram can be determined for either an individual person or a group of people. A frequency spectrum of an environment can be determined for an environment within which hearing enhancement and/or hearing protection is needed. The audiogram and the frequency spectrum of the environment can be used to modify an electronic signal to attenuate noise and to amplify information. The information can be voice, sirens, bells, or anything else that the user desires to hear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Surefire, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Smith, Fred Soria, Mark Squire, Joe Saggio
  • Patent number: 8831257
    Abstract: An exterior power supply for a hearing aid has a battery-shaped conductor, two thin power contacts, and a DC power source. The battery-shaped conductor is received in a battery container of the hearing aid and has a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The thin power contacts are mounted to the battery-shaped conductor and respectively and electronically connected to the top and bottom electrodes of the battery-shaped conductor. Each thin power contact has a thickness matching a gap between an opening and a door of the battery container of the hearing aid. The DC power source is electronically connected to the battery-shaped conductor through a power wire and the thin power contacts to output DC power to the top and bottom electrodes of the battery-shaped conductor. Therefore, the hearing aid obtains DC power from the battery-shaped conductor and the button cell is not replaced frequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: Chum Lee, Huey-Ling Kao Ulrey
  • Patent number: 8811637
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to method and apparatus for processing sound by a hearing assistance device. In one example, the present subject matter is an apparatus for processing sound for a hearing assistance device, comprising: a microphone adapted for reception of the sound and to create a sound signal relating to the sound; a transducer that produces an output voltage related to motion; a signal processor, connected to the microphone and the transducer, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and the output voltage, the signal processor performing a vibration detection algorithm adapted to adjust hearing assistance device settings for a detected activity; and a housing adapted to house the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Howard Burns, Matthew Green
  • Patent number: 8812309
    Abstract: A method for suppressing ambient noise using multiple audio signals may include providing at least two audio signals captured by at least two electro-acoustic transducers. The at least two audio signals may include desired audio and ambient noise. The method may also include performing beamforming on the at least two audio signals in order to obtain a desired audio reference signal that is separate from a noise reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dinesh Ramakrishnan, Song Wang
  • Patent number: 8801592
    Abstract: A sound enrichment system for provision of tinnitus relief, the sound enrichment system includes a noise generator, an environment classifier that is configured to determine a classification of an ambient sound environment of the sound enrichment system, a processing system for adjusting a noise signal based at least in part on the classification, wherein the noise signal is obtained using the noise generator, and an output transducer for conversion of the adjusted noise signal to an acoustic signal for presentation to a user. A method of providing a noise enriched sound signal for provision of relief of tinnitus includes obtaining a noise signal, adjusting the noise signal based at least in part on a sound environment classification, generating an acoustic noise signal from the adjusted noise signal, and presenting the acoustic noise signal to a tinnitus suffering person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GN Resound A/S
    Inventors: Ole Dyrlund Jensen, Kim Heegaard Hansen, Luca Del Bo
  • Patent number: 8798296
    Abstract: A method for better matching of the needs of mild to very mild hearing losses is obtained than with known hearing devices. The method comprising the steps of determining an acoustic situation by processing an input signal of a hearing device openly coupled to an ear of a user, selecting at least two hearing programs in dependence on the determined acoustic situation, at least one of the hearing programs being suitable for calm acoustic situations, and at least another one of the hearing programs being suitable for noisy acoustic situations, applying a gain only above a predefined frequency limit to the input signal if one of the hearing programs for calm acoustic situations is selected, and reducing noise in the input signal only in a frequency range within audible frequencies if one of the hearing programs for noisy acoustic situations is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Nicola Schmitt, Volker Kühnel, Michael Boretzki
  • Patent number: 8798297
    Abstract: A listening device system includes two listening devices, each having its own separate housing. The first device includes an input transducer housed within the housing for converting an input sound to an electrical input signal which includes a direct and an acoustic feedback part, and a feedback cancellation system. The feedback cancellation system includes an adaptive FBC filter including a variable FBC filter part, and an FBC update algorithm part for updating the variable FBC filter part. The FBC update algorithm part receives first and second input signals influenced by the electrical input and the electrical output signals. The second listening device includes an input transducer housed within its housing producing an electrical update signal essentially consisting of the direct part of said electrical input signal. The update signal is conveyed from the second device to the first device, where feedback cancellation parameters are adjusted based on that signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Bo Elmedyb, Johan Hellgren
  • Patent number: 8798992
    Abstract: An signal processing apparatus, system and software product for audio modification/substitution of a background noise generated during an event including, but not be limited to, substituting or partially substituting a noise signal from one or more microphones by a pre-recorded noise, and/or selecting one or more noise signals from a plurality of microphones for further processing in real-time or near real-time broadcasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gay, Jed Drake, Anthony Bailey
  • Publication number: 20140198938
    Abstract: A portable audio device has a voice coil audio signal processor in which a desired audio content signal is combined with an anti-noise signal produced by an active noise cancellation block. A voice coil amplifier receives a volume setting and is coupled to an output of the voice coil audio signal processor. A speaker is coupled to an output of the voice coil amplifier. In addition, a telecoil audio signal processor also receives the desired audio content, and feeds a telecoil amplifier that receives a telecoil coupling strength setting, followed by a telecoil. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ruchir M. Dave, Shaohai Chen
  • Patent number: 8781142
    Abstract: Systems and methods enhancing auditory experience for a user are provided. The method comprises receiving ambient sound by way of one or more microphones positioned about a user; monitoring the user's movements to determine sound signals interesting to the user; processing the received ambient sound based on the user's movements to at least: increase inclusion of the interesting sound signals in a generated audio output; or reduce inclusion of uninteresting sound signals in the generated audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Sverrir Olafsson, Ismail I. Eldumiati
  • Publication number: 20140193009
    Abstract: A novel dual-microphone speech enhancement technique is proposed that utilizes the coherence function between input signals as a criterion for noise reduction. The technique is based on certain assumptions regarding the spatial properties of the target and noise signals and can be applied to arrays with closely spaced microphones, where noise captured by sensors is highly correlated (e.g., inside a mildly reverberant environment). The proposed algorithm is simple to implement and requires no estimation of noise statistics. In addition, it offers the advantage of coping with situations in which multiple interfering sources located at different azimuths might be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Demetria Z. Loizou
  • Patent number: 8774433
    Abstract: An earpiece is provided that can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) to measure ambient sound, an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR) to deliver audio to an ear canal, an Ear Canal Microphone (ECM) to measure a sound pressure level within the ear canal, and a processor to produce the audio from at least in part the ambient sound, actively monitor a sound exposure level inside the ear canal, and adjust a level of the audio to within a safe and subjectively optimized listening level range based on the sound exposure level. An audio interface can deliver audio content from a media player. The processor can selectively mix the audio content with the ambient sound to produce the audio in accordance with a personalized hearing level (PHL) to permit environmental awareness of at least one distinct sound in the ambient sound. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Steven W. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8767972
    Abstract: Improved approaches of designing and fitting hearing aids to make hearing aids more accessible to people with hearing loss are disclosed. The hearing aids can be capable of being fitted by users themselves or by other non-hearing specialists. In one embodiment a hearing aid can be self-calibrating. In another embodiment, hearing aids can be fitted, i.e., configured, for individuals with hearing loss using a simplified procedure that hearing aid users or non-hearing specialists can easily follow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apherma, LLC
    Inventor: Zezhang Hou
  • Publication number: 20140177889
    Abstract: A method of noise reduction of low-level input signals in a hearing aid involves applying compression to the input signal using a first compression ratio if a detected measure of amplitude modulation in the input signal is below a selected modulation level, and using a second compression ratio if the measure of amplitude modulation is above the selected modulation level. This reduces the volume of low-level steady-state noise while increasing the volume of modulated signals, e.g. speech. A hearing aid having a noise reduction system (10) has means for determining a level of amplitude modulation from a noise level and an absolute average level of an input signal, and comprises a dynamic compressor having a first compression ratio and a second compression ratio. The means for determining the level of amplitude modulation is configured to control the dynamic compressor in such a way that, below a predetermined input level, unmodulated sounds are amplified less than unmodulated sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Jesper THEILL, Carsten PALUDAN-MÜLLER
  • Publication number: 20140177888
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Kaibao Nie, Brent Edwards, William S. Woods, Jon S. Kindred
  • Patent number: 8755546
    Abstract: A sound processing apparatus, a sound processing method and a hearing aid efficiently emphasize the sound of an utterer regardless of the distance between microphones. The sound processing apparatus outputs a first directivity signal in which the main axis of directivity is formed in the direction of the utterer and outputs a second directivity signal in which the dead zone of directivity is formed in the direction of the utterer. The sound processing apparatus calculates the level of the first directivity signal and the level of the second directivity signal, and determines the distance to the utterer based on the level of the first directivity signal and the level of the second directivity signal. The sound processing apparatus derives a gain to be given to the first directivity signal according to the result of the determination and controls the level of the first directivity signal by using the gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Pansonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Terada, Maki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140153758
    Abstract: A hearing device includes: a microphone for converting audio into an audio signal; a preprocessing unit for analog processing of the audio signal and having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to an output of the microphone; an A/D converter for converting the processed analog audio signal into a digital audio signal, the A/D converter having an input and an output, wherein the input of the A/D converter is connected to the output of the preprocessing unit; and a processing unit for digital processing of an output from the A/D converter, wherein the processing unit is connected to the preprocessing unit, and is configured to apply a first transfer function to the audio signal in a first mode of operation, or a second transfer function with a cutoff frequency to the audio signal in a second mode of operation, depending on a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: GN ReSound A/S
    Inventor: Peter SIEGUMFELDT
  • Publication number: 20140153757
    Abstract: A hearing apparatus and a method thereof for processing a noise included in an input signal are provided. The method of processing noise involves: pairing a hearing apparatus with an electronic appliance; extracting noise characteristic information of the paired electronic appliance; and processing noise from the electronic appliance included in an input signal based on the noise characteristic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Seo KU, Jun Il SOHN, Jun Whon UHM, Heun Chul LEE, Dong Wook KIM, Jong Jin KIM, Jong Min CHOI
  • Patent number: 8744103
    Abstract: A fitting device for fitting a hearing device to compensate for a hearing loss of a user is disclosed, the hearing device comprising a receiver and a microphone, wherein a feedback path exists between the receiver and the microphone, wherein the hearing device further comprises an adaptive feedback canceller configured to reduce feedback, the adaptive feedback canceller comprising a fixed filter corresponding to an invariant portion of the feedback path, and an adaptive filter corresponding to a variant portion of the feedback path, the fitting device comprising a processor configured to determine the invariant portion of the feedback path, wherein the processor is configured to provide the fixed filter with information relating to the invariant portion of the feedback path independently of the user using the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GN Resound A/S
    Inventor: Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 8744100
    Abstract: The user's personal intention is conveyed to a hearing aid using a method that does not place heavy physical and psychological loads. A hearing aid to be worn by a user for auditory compensation comprises: at least one microphone which converts a sound to an input signal; a hearing-aid signal processing unit configured to generate an output signal from the input signal; a receiver which outputs, as a sound, the output signal generated by the hearing-aid signal processing unit; and a hearing-aid processing control unit configured to generate control information for controlling signal processing, based on a non-audible sound which is made by the user and is hard to hear from outside, wherein, when the hearing-aid processing control unit generates the control information, the hearing-aid signal processing unit is configured to generate the output signal according to the generated control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Mariko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8737654
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved noise reduction for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a processor configured to receive signals from the microphone. The processor is configured to perform noise reduction which adjusts maximum gain reduction as a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and which reduces the strength of its maximum gain reduction for intermediate signal-to-noise ratio levels to reduce speech distortion. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes a memory configured to log noise reduction data for user environments. Also provided are methods to further adjust the noise reduction based on the logged information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivo Merks, William S. Woods, Tao Zhang, Dominic Perz
  • Patent number: 8737655
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to measurement of maximum stable gain of a hearing assistance device, including but not limited to hearing aids, as a function of frequency. In various approaches an adaptive filter with a variable step size is used to determine maximum stable gain as a function of frequency. In various approaches, the determination is done in process steps performed by the hearing assistance device. In various approaches, the determination is done in process steps performed by the hearing assistance device and by a host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivo Merks, Harikrishna P. Natarajan
  • Patent number: 8737641
    Abstract: A noise suppressor selects, for individual frequency components, maximums by comparing a plurality of noise suppressed spectra 105 and 106 a plurality of noise suppressing units 4 and 5 output, thereby obtaining an output spectrum 107 having the frequency components selected as its components. A first noise suppressing unit 4 generates a noise suppressed spectrum 105 by multiplying an input spectrum 102 by amplitude suppression gains, and makes the amplitude suppression gains greater than most of the amplitude suppression gains in a noise signal intervals of a second noise suppressing unit 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Tasaki, Satoru Furuta