Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of performing bilateral dynamic range compression of first and second microphone signals generated by first and second hearing devices, respectively, of a binaural hearing system. The method comprises to pick-up sound pressure inside an ear canal of the user's left or right ear by a first microphone to generate a first microphone signal in response to incoming sound and pick-up sound pressure inside an ear canal of the user's opposite ear by a second microphone to generate a second microphone signal in response to the incoming sound.

Abstract: Hearing system, accessory device, agent and method for situated design of a hearing algorithm of a hearing device is disclosed, the method comprising initializing a model comprising a parameterized objective function; providing one or more operating parameters indicative of the hearing algorithm to the hearing device; obtaining operating data comprising corresponding input data and output data of the hearing device; obtaining evaluation data indicative of user evaluation of the output data; determining one or more updated operating parameters based on the model, the operating data and the evaluation data; and providing the updated operating parameters to the hearing device.

Abstract: An electronic device, method, and computer program product enable limiting electromagnetic emissions from current between batteries. A first battery is positioned proximal to an earpiece speaker within the electronic device. At least one second battery is positioned at a different location within the electronic device that is not proximal to the earpiece speaker. A switch is coupled to a first battery proximal to the earpiece speaker among the plurality of batteries. The switch is selectively toggled to limit current drawn from the first battery while the earpiece speaker is operating, in order to reduce baseband electromagnetic emissions emanating from the first battery.

Abstract: An earphone has a housing, a sound output hole, a first touch sensor, a second touch, a third touch sensor, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is coupled to the first touch sensor, the second touch sensor and the third touch sensor for determining whether the earphone is worn on an ear according to the sensing result of the first touch sensor, determining whether the earphone is held in hand according to the sensing result of the second touch sensor, and providing a corresponding control function according to the sensing result of the third touch sensor.

Abstract: A wearable speaker system includes a bellows tube that holds a weight inside, and a speaker unit where a space inside the speaker unit and a space inside the bellows tube communicate with each other. The bellows tube is accommodated in the enclosure, and both end portions of the bellows tube are fixed to the enclosure.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to training a neural network and using that training to design a filter for the hearing device. The training can include training a generative adversarial network (GAN) to determine whether a signal includes intelligible speech, wherein the GAN includes a generator and discriminator. The generator can provide a mixed noise and speech signal to the discriminator can output a signal that reduces noise in the mixed signal. The technology can then determine whether the output signal is intelligible based on a speech metric function or based on feedback from a hearing care expert. The generator and the discriminator can continue to train based on this feedback. And then the trained network can use the settings of the discriminator or information from the design of the discriminator to generate a noise filter for a hearing device.

Abstract: An in-ear device includes a housing shaped to be held in an ear of a user, and be positioned around a canal of the ear so the canal is unobstructed by the in-ear device, and an audio package positioned within the housing to project sound into the canal when the in-ear device is disposed in the ear. A controller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audio package, and the controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the in-ear device to perform operations, including emitting the sound from the audio package towards the canal of the ear.

Abstract: A mobile device with orientation aware audio mapping capability is disclosed. The mobile device has an aux speaker, a loud speaker, a sensor for device orientation detection, and a processor (or processors) coupled to the sensor and the speakers. Depending on the device orientation, the processor sends a mapped audio output to the speakers. The mapped audio output may be a mono audio signal or a stereo audio signal. The stereo audio output signal may be a stereo audio output signal with a balanced or biased audio power distribution between the aux speaker and the loud speaker.

Abstract: Hinge for eyeglasses which is provided with a housing seat in which a TAG is inserted. The TAG is provided with an electronic identification device and with a support body containing the electronic device at its interior. The support body is provided with a seat, which removably houses the electronic device, and is provided with an opening for the insertion of the electronic device at its interior. The seat has at least one elastically pliable portion, which intercepts the electronic device in order to retain it within the seat itself.

Abstract: An adaptive level estimator for providing a level estimate of an electric input signal representing sound is provided. The adaptive level estimator comprises a first level estimator that provides a first level estimate of the electric input signal in a first number K1 of frequency bands; a second level estimator that provides attack/release time constants associated with a second level estimate of the electric input signal in a second number K2 of frequency bands, wherein K2 is smaller than K1; and a level control unit that provides a resulting level estimate based on said first level estimates and said attack/release time constants associated with said second level estimates. The level estimator may be used in devices or applications that benefit from a dynamic adaptation of an input signal level to a listener's dynamic range of sound level perception, or to any other specific dynamic range deviating from that of the environment sound.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for processing an audio signal to add virtual bass. In one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes: (a) an input line that inputs an original audio signal; (b) a bass extraction filter that extracts a bass portion of such original audio signal; (c) an estimator that estimates a fundamental frequency of a bass sound within such bass portion; (d) a frequency translator that shifts the bass portion by a positive frequency increment that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency estimated by the estimator, thereby providing a virtual bass signal; (f) an adder having (i) inputs coupled to the original audio signal and to the virtual bass signal and (ii) an output; and (g) an audio output device coupled to the output of the adder.

Abstract: An improved open-ear hearing aid to compensate for hearing loss includes a microphone for picking up incident sound and converting it to an electrical audio signal. An ear insert positionable within a human ear canal is provided for producing an output sound amplified within one or more frequency bands in response to incident sound picked up by the microphone. The in-band gain of the amplified sound output of the ear insert's loudspeaker is dependent on the user's hearing loss characteristics and the sound pressure levels of the incident sound. The form of the ear insert allows transmission of incident sound directly to the eardrum, where it is summed at the eardrum with the amplified sound output from the ear insert. Sound output is maximum at low incident sound pressure levels and minimum when the incident sound exceeds a set cut-off level.

Abstract: An adaptive level estimator for providing a level estimate of an electric input signal representing sound is provided. The adaptive level estimator comprises a first level estimator configured to provide a first level estimate of the electric input signal in a first number K1 of frequency bands; a second level estimator configured to provide a second level estimate of the electric input signal and/or associated attack/release time constants in a second number K2 of frequency bands, wherein K2 is smaller than K1; and a level control unit receiving said first and second level estimates and configured to provide said resulting level estimate based on said first and said second level estimates and/or said associated attack/release time constants. The invention may e.g.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing assistance system and a system signal processing unit for a hearing assistance system wherein the hearing assistance system comprises at least two binaural hearing systems including a first binaural hearing system and a second binaural hearing system is provided. The system signal processing unit comprises or is operatively connected to a wireless data communication interface for wirelessly communicating with at least one of said at least two binaural hearing systems.

Abstract: A method (200) of operating a hearing aid system based on an enhancement of frequency contrast by increasing the gain applied to a frequency band if a measure of the signal variability is above a threshold that depends on the signal variability in other frequency bands and a hearing aid system (100) for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device including a housing, a user manipulatable control element, and a printed circuit board having a flexible substrate, sound processor circuitry on the flexible substrate, and a variable resistor that is an integral part of the printed circuit board and/or is secured to the housing.

Abstract: An audio system includes a transient suppression circuit that rectifies an input signal representing target sounds and transient sounds and produces a threshold envelope of the rectified input signal. The transient suppression circuit accumulates the difference between the rectified input signal and the threshold envelope, and normalizes the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal. A gain is calculated using this normalized accumulated difference and applied to the input signal to suppress the transient sounds without substantially affecting the target sounds.

Abstract: An audio system includes a transient suppression circuit that rectifies an input signal representing target sounds and transient sounds and produces a threshold envelope of the rectified input signal. The transient suppression circuit accumulates the difference between the rectified input signal and the threshold envelope, and normalizes the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal. A gain is calculated using this normalized accumulated difference and applied to the input signal to suppress the transient sounds without substantially affecting the target sounds.

Abstract: A multiband dynamics compressor implements a solution for minimizing unwanted changes to the long-term frequency response. The solution essentially proposes undoing the multiband compression in a controlled manner using much slower smoothing times. In this regard, the compensation provided acts more like an equalizer than a compressor. What is applied is a very slowly time-varying, frequency-dependent post-gain (make-up gain) that attempts to restore the smoothed long-term level of each compressor band.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes at least one capacitive switch for controlling or communicating with the hearing aid by touch. The capacitive switch is an electrode on the inside of the housing coupled to a touch detector. Touching the outside of the hearing aid adjacent the electrode produces a switching operation. The hearing aid includes a programmed microprocessor coupled to the touch detector. The microprocessor is programmed to effect predetermined functions in response to particular touch patterns.

Abstract: A signal processor for a hearing device with an implantable stimulator having two or more electrodes for emitting electric charge pulses to neural-fibers 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.

Abstract: An analog and digital auto-gain control method includes the steps of: providing a gain-mapping table; determining an analog gain level according to a power of a far-end transmitted signal; obtaining a gain-mapping value from the gain-mapping table according to the analog gain level; obtaining a digital gain value according to the gain-mapping value; and adjusting a gain of a digital signal according to the digital gain value. A receiver that performs the auto-gain control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An audio input device is provided which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, the audio input device includes a housing, a microphone carried by the housing, and a processor carried by the housing and configured to modify an input sound signal so as to amplify frequencies corresponding to a target human voice and diminish frequencies not corresponding to the target human voice. In another embodiment, an audio input device is configured to treat an auditory gap condition of a user by extending gaps in continuous speech and outputting the modified speech to the user. In another embodiment, the audio input device is configured to treat a dichotic hearing condition of a user. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A fitting system with intelligent visual tools may included calculating a response curve of a hearing assistance device, wherein the response curve indicating sound level pressure level compared to frequency. Additionally it may include, displaying, on a display device, the response curve and displaying concurrently with the response curve, a visual cue, wherein the visual cue represents data including at least one of: gain of the response curve, a comparison between a target response curve and the response curve, and a comparison between binaural response curve.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein include directional filtering of audible signals, which is provided to enable acoustic isolation and localization of a target voice source. Without limitation, various implementations are suitable for speech signal processing applications in, hearing aids, speech recognition software, voice-command responsive software and devices, telephony, and various other applications associated with mobile and non-mobile systems and devices. In particular, some implementations include systems, methods and/or devices operable to emphasize at least some of the time-frequency components of an audible signal that originate from a target direction and source, and/or deemphasizing at least some of the time-frequency components that originate from one or more other directions or sources. In some implementations, directional filtering includes applying a gain function to audible signal data received from multiple audio sensors.

Abstract: An improved open-ear hearing aid to compensate for hearing loss includes a microphone for picking up incident sound and converting it to an electrical audio signal. An ear insert positionable within a human ear canal is provided for producing an output sound amplified within one or more frequency bands in response to incident sound picked up by the microphone. The in-band gain of the amplified sound output of the ear insert's loudspeaker is dependent on the user's hearing loss characteristics and the sound pressure levels of the incident sound. The form of the ear insert allows transmission of incident sound directly to the eardrum, where it is summed at the eardrum with the amplified sound output from the ear insert. Sound output is maximum at low incident sound pressure levels and minimum when the incident sound exceeds a set cut-off level.

Abstract: The present invention provides hearing systems and methods that provide an improved high frequency response. The high frequency response improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the hearing system and allows for preservation and transmission of high frequency spatial localization cues.

Abstract: A method for providing hearing assistance to a user by capturing input audio signals; estimating a speech level of the input audio signals and an ambient noise level of the input audio signals; applying a gain model to the input audio signals to transform the input audio signals into filtered audio signals, wherein, for a each ambient noise level, the gain varies as a function of the speech level and wherein the function varies according to the ambient noise level changing the ratio of the gain at low speech levels and at high speech levels as a function of the ambient noise level; wirelessly transmitting the filtered audio signals to a receiver unit forming or being connected to a user hearing stimulator, the stimulator being worn at or in the user's ear; and stimulating the user's hearing by the stimulator according to audio signals supplied by the receiver unit.

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.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy of sounds heard by a hearing-impaired listener is disclosed. The method for enhancing the accuracy of sounds heard by a hearing-impaired listener includes receiving an input sound, increasing or decreasing the energy of the high frequency section and then lowering the frequency of the high frequency section, and then combining the low high frequency section with the high frequency section of which the energy was increased/decreased and the frequency was lowered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information about the source of a sound via an audio device is described. An ambient sound is detected (200) and specific sounds are identified in the detected ambient sound (202). Information about the source of the identified specific sounds is determined (204). An operational control characteristic of a generated audio stream rendered by an audio device is changed (206) and information about the source is provided to the audio device upon detection of said identified specific sounds (208).

Abstract: An audio amplifier circuit and a method of the same are provided. The audio amplifier circuit includes a processor, a pre-processing module, and a post-processing module. The processor controls a pre-gain value of the pre-processing module and a post-gain value of the post-processing module in accordance with a volume adjustment signal so as to process an audio input signal and generate an audio output signal. The pre-gain value and the post-gain value are dynamically adjusted by the audio amplifier circuit and a method thereof by according to the volume adjustment signal so as to generate low distortion, low noise audio output signals and improve audio playback quality of an audio output device.

Abstract: A hearing device is disclosed, wherein the hearing device may include an audio signal detector configured to detect an audio signal, an output signal generator configured to generate an output signal by adjusting an amplifying gain of the audio signal, a controller configured to determine an output method for the output signal to be one of a bone conduction method or an air conduction method, and an output unit configured to output the output signal.

Abstract: An audio processing device includes a) an input unit for converting a time domain input signal to a number NI of input frequency bands and b) an output unit for converting a number NO of output frequency bands to a time domain output signal. A signal processing unit processes the input signal in a number NP of processing channels, smaller than the number NI of input frequency bands. A frequency band allocation unit allocates input frequency bands to processing channels. A frequency band redistribution unit redistributes processing channels to output frequency bands, and a control unit dynamically controls the allocation of input frequency bands to processing channels and the redistribution of processing channels to output frequency bands.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for controlling a hearing aid. Embodiments include receiving an input audio signal from a microphone. Also, a facial movement indication may be received from a facial movement detector measured contemporaneously with the input audio signal. Additionally, whether a first movement pattern associated with the wearer speaking is a movement match to the facial movement indication may be determined. In this way, a first gain profile may be applied to the input audio signal for generating an augmented audio segment in response to determining the first movement pattern is the movement match to the facial movement indication. Also, a second gain profile may be applied to the input audio signal for generating the augmented audio segment in response to determining the first movement pattern does not match the facial movement indication. Thus, the augmented audio segment may be output.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system includes a pair of hearing aids performing dynamic range compression while preserving spatial cue to provide a hearing aid wearer with satisfactory listening experience in complex listening environments. In various embodiments, the dynamic range compression is binaurally coordinated based on number and distribution of sound source(s). In various embodiments, in addition to preserving spatial cue, the dynamic range compression is controlled to optimize audibility and comfortable loudness of target signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid comprising a receiver and signal processor circuitry operatively connected hereto. The signal processor circuitry comprises amplifying means (e.g., a Class D amplifier) adapted to generate a switched output voltage for driving the receiver of the hearing aid. Moreover, a power supply unit is included and is adapted to generate a DC output voltage from the switched output voltage. The present invention further relates to an associated method for generating a DC output voltage.

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.

Abstract: Hearing apparatuses, in particular hearing aids, have improved intelligibility. This is accomplished by a method for amplifying a speech signal for a hearing apparatus by detection of an input sound, determining an input level of the input sound and amplification of the input sound. A mean input level of the input sound is determined and it is established whether the input sound has a speech component. If not, the input signal is amplified in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined first amplification characteristic. However, if a speech component is found, the input signal is amplified in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined second amplification characteristic. The second amplification characteristic is formed in dependence on the mean input level such that amplification is increased with respect to first amplification characteristic in a predefined level interval below the mean input level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing an audio signal in a portable listening device, the audio signal comprising a low frequency part having an LF-bandwidth ?fLF and a high-frequency part having a HF-bandwidth ?fHF. The invention further relates to a listening device and to a listening system. The object of the present invention is to improve performance or save power in a portable listening device. The problem is solved in that the method comprises a) providing an audio input signal consisting of said low frequency part having an LF-bandwidth ?fLF; b) performing at least one signal processing step on the low frequency part of the audio signal; and c) performing a bandwidth extension process on said low frequency part of the audio signal to generate said high-frequency part of the audio signal, thereby generating or regenerating said audio output signal with a full bandwidth ?ffull comprising said LF-bandwidth ?fLF and said HF-bandwidth ?fHF.

Abstract: High-quality adjustment of a hearing apparatus, and in particular of a hearing aid, is accelerated. In the adjusting method, a percentile analysis is carried out in order to obtain at least one frequency response of the hearing apparatus. Any discrepancy between the frequency response and an intended gain characteristic is determined. The setting of the hearing apparatus is then changed, such that the discrepancy is reduced. In order to check the effect of the setting change, a current frequency response after variation of the setting is determined by providing a constant noise signal or a single sinusoidal sweep at the input of the hearing apparatus and level measurement at the output. This frequency response measurement can be carried out as a second step considerably more quickly than the very precise percentile analysis at the start of the process.

Abstract: A hearing aid system may include an ear-mould for a child, an output transducer, and an electrical feedback path. A forward path includes a signal processor that modifies an electrical input signal to a specific hearing profile over a predefined frequency range which includes a number of frequency bands. Maximum forward gain values IGmax for each band are stored in a memory, restricting loop gain to a predetermined value in each band. The hearing aid system further includes a relatively slow online feedback manager unit configured to, with a predefined update frequency, identify current feedback gain in each frequency band, and to subsequently adapt the maximum forward gain values IGmax in each of the frequency bands in accordance with a predefined scheme. The feedback manager unit is thus reduces the risk of howling by decreasing the maximum forward gain values IGmax in said ear-mould for a child.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) mode in an electronic device are provided, including detecting a type of battery, and applying an audio adjusting parameter for the HAC mode according to the detected type of battery.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone for conversion of acoustic sound into an input audio signal, a signal processor for processing the input audio signal for generation of an output audio signal; and a transducer for conversion of the output audio signal into a signal to be received by a human, wherein the signal processor includes a compressor with a compressor input/output rule that is variable in response to a signal level of the input audio signal.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a BTE hearing aid housing configured to be worn behind a pinna of a user and accommodating at least one BTE sound input transducer configured for conversion of acoustic sound into a BTE audio sound signal; an ITE microphone housing configured to be positioned in an outer ear of the user and accommodating at least one ITE microphone configured for conversion of acoustic sound into an ITE audio sound signal and accommodated by the ITE microphone housing; a signal detector configured for determination of ITE signal magnitudes of the ITE audio sound signal at a plurality of frequencies, and determination of BTE signal magnitudes of the BTE audio sound signal at the plurality of frequencies; and a gain processor configured for determining gain values at respective frequencies of the plurality of frequencies based on the ITE signal magnitudes and the BTE signal magnitudes.

Abstract: Devices and methods for iteratively sampling a wideband signal in order to recover one or more narrowband signals are disclosed. In one aspect, a wideband signal is received and the signal is sampled using a sampling device, which includes an amplifier with an initial gain level, to produce a plurality of sampled signals. A first set of narrowband signals may be recovered from the plurality of sampled signals. Then, the wideband signal is re-sampled to produce a second plurality of sampled signals. The re-sampling includes increasing the gain of the amplifier to a second level and suppressing a component of the wideband signal. A second set of narrowband signals may then be recovered from the second set of sampled signals.

Abstract: A method comprises deriving a control signal (3) from an input signal (1). The process of deriving the control signal comprises a standard processing (6) so as to provide a standard processed control signal component (7) based on a standard compressor characteristic, and an individualized processing (10) so as to provide an individualized processed control signal component (11) based on an individualized compressor characteristic. The standard and individualized processed control signal components are multiplied together to form the control signal. The invention further provides a hearing aid.

Abstract: A hearing optimization device and hearing optimization method having a high boost frequency characteristic reference live for high frequency range enhancement and a low boost frequency characteristic reference live for low frequency range enhancement to achieve separate gain control of input audio signal according to frequency. An audio signal processing and generating means is also included, along with synthesized audio signal output structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording characterized in that it comprises: a step consisting of determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear, a step consisting of calculating the possible gain for a specified sound level setting, between the maximum amplitude value determined above and the maximum amplitude value for all frequencies combined, a step consisting of reproducing the recording with a sound card by automatically adjusting the amplification gain level making it possible to obtain a sound level for the recording of a specified value so that it corresponds to the gain calculated for this recording.

Abstract: A method and device for compensating sensorineural hearing loss in a manner that allows dysfunction of the inner and outer hair cells to be separately compensated is described. The disclosed techniques involve providing separately adjustable compression pathways for the received sound.