H04R25/407

HEARING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE FILTER BANK

A hearing device comprises a) at least one input transducer configured to pick up sound from an acoustic environment around the user when the user is wearing the hearing device, the at least one input transducer providing at least one electric input signal representative of said sound, b) at least one analysis filter bank configured to provide said at least one electric input signal as a multitude of frequency sub-band signals, the at least one analysis filter bank comprising b1) a plurality of M first filters h.sub.m(n), whose impulse responses are modulated from a first prototype filter h(n), where m=0, 1, . . . , M−1 is a frequency band index, and n is a time index, c) a processor for processing said at least one electric input signal provided by said at least one analysis filter bank, or a signal originating therefrom, and providing a processed signal, d) an output transducer configured to provide stimuli perceivable as sound to the user in dependence of said processed signal, and e) a controller for controlling said analysis filter bank by applying a different first prototype filter to said at least one filter bank in dependence of said current acoustic environment. A method of operating a hearing device is further disclosed.

HEARING DEVICE COMPRISING A SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY ESTIMATOR
20220400349 · 2022-12-15 · ·

A hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, comprises a) an input unit configured to provide at least one time-variant electric input signal representing sound, the at least one electric input signal comprising target signal components and optionally noise signal components, the target signal components originating from a target sound source; b) a signal processing unit for processing the at least one electric input signal and providing a processed signal; c) an output unit for creating output stimuli configured to be perceivable by the user as sound based on the processed signal from the signal processing unit; d) a speech presence probability prediction unit for repeatedly providing a measure of a predicted speech presence probability of the at least one electric input signal, or of a signal originating therefrom; and e) a speech intelligibility prediction unit for repeatedly providing a current measure of a predicted speech intelligibility of the at least one electric input signal, or of a signal originating therefrom. The speech intelligibility prediction unit is configured to determine said current measure of the predicted speech intelligibility in dependence of said measure of the predicted speech presence probability. A method of operating a hearing device is further disclosed. The invention may e.g. be used in hearing aids, headsets, earpieces (ear buds), etc.

Sound capture focus adjustment for hearing prosthesis
11528567 · 2022-12-13 · ·

A hearing prosthesis, the hearing prosthesis including a plurality of sound capture devices and a determinator configured to generate a parameter indicative of an orientation of the plurality of sound capture devices relative to a reference, wherein the hearing prosthesis is configured to adjust a direction of focus of the hearing prosthesis based on at least the parameter.

CONTROL OF PARAMETERS OF HEARING INSTRUMENT BASED ON EAR CANAL DEFORMATION AND CONCHA EMG SIGNALS
20220394396 · 2022-12-08 ·

A processing system obtains a deformation signal generated by a deformation sensor. The deformation signal is indicative of a deformation of an outer ear of a user of a hearing instrument. Additionally, the processing system obtains an EMG signal generated by an electrode in a concha of the user, wherein the electrode is configured to detect activity of an intrinsic auricular muscle of the user. Furthermore, the processing system generates information regarding an auditory attention state of the user based on the deformation signal and the EMG signal. The processing system controls, based on the information regarding the auditory attention state of the user, the parameter of the audio system.

Hearing devices with eye movement detection
11523229 · 2022-12-06 · ·

A hearing device includes: a sensor configured for placement in an ear canal of a user of the hearing device, the sensor configured to provide a sensor signal; a processing unit coupled to the sensor; and a receiver coupled to the processing unit, wherein the receiver is configured to provide an audio output; wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a presence of eye-movement related eardrum oscillation based at least in part on the sensor signal. The detected eye-movement related eardrum oscillations may be used to change a processing in the hearing device.

Methods and systems for assessing insertion position of hearing instrument

A speaker of a hearing instrument generates a sound that includes a range of frequencies. Furthermore, a microphone of the hearing instrument measures an acoustic response to the sound. A processing system classifies, based on the acoustic response to the sound, a depth of insertion of an in-ear assembly of the hearing instrument into an ear canal of a user. Additionally, the processing system generates an indication based on the depth of insertion of the in-ear assembly of the hearing instrument into the ear canal of the user.

EARLOOP MICROPHONE

A headset implements an earloop microphone and includes a housing. An earloop of the headset secures the headset to an ear of a user. A first microphone is acoustically coupled to a first opening in the housing. A second microphone is acoustically coupled to a second opening in the housing. A third microphone is acoustically coupled to a third opening in the earloop.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE
20220377468 · 2022-11-24 ·

Audio content captured by a plurality of microphones associated with a device, such as a hearing device, may be received. It may be determined that a first portion of the audio content is associated with a first microphone of the plurality of microphones. The first microphone may be a unidirectional microphone. Audio indicative of the first portion may be generated and sent to the device for output. It may be determined that a second portion of the audio content is associated with a second, different microphone of the plurality of microphones. The second microphone may be an omnidirectional microphone. Audio indicative of the second portion may be generated and sent to the device for output.

Hearing device comprising a microphone adapted to be located at or in the ear canal of a user

A hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, configured to be worn by a user, comprises a) two or more input transducers (e.g. microphones) wherein said two or more input transducers during use of the hearing device are arranged with a distance between them; b) a directional system comprising a directional algorithm configured to provide a directional pattern in dependence of said distance. The hearing device is configured to estimate a current value of said distance, or an equivalent acoustic delay, or beamformer weights of said directional system, thereby the directional performance can be optimized to the individual user.

Semiconductor device

A semiconductor device with a novel structure which can identify the sound source is provided. The semiconductor device includes a microphone array, delay circuits, and a signal processing circuit. The delay circuit includes a first selection circuit, which selects a microphone, signal retention circuits, which retain voltages depending on the sound signal, and a second selection circuit, which selects a signal retention circuit. Each signal retention circuit includes a transistor which includes a semiconductor layer including an oxide semiconductor in its channel formation region. The first selection circuit writes the voltage of discreet sound signals to the signal retention circuit. The second selection circuit selects at different timings the voltages which are retained in the signal retention circuit and generates the output signal corresponding to the delayed sound signal.