In one embodiment, an audio system can generate a parametrically formulated noise signal which can be mixed with an audio signal or acoustic signal. According to an embodiment, a parametrically formulated noise signal can be configured to have a power spectrum amplitude that is a function of frequency. According to an embodiment, a parametrically formulated noise signal can have a power spectrum amplitude across a range of frequencies that is a function of an individual's hearing thresholds across the range of frequencies.

Among other things, a sound processing device system is disclosed to assist a hearing-impaired human listener recognize speech sounds or phonemes. The device system may be configured at least to generate an output audio signal at least by transposing and causing a negative rank ordering of frequency of at least a portion of the input audio signal. Compression also may be performed on the at least the portion of the input audio signal as part of generating the output audio signal. The negative rank ordering may be performed on a high-frequency portion of the input audio signal that becomes a low-frequency portion of the output audio signal by the transposing. The low-frequency portion of the output audio signal may represent an inverted ordering of frequencies or frequency segments present in the high-frequency portion of the input audio signal.

A hearing assistive device having an input transducer (18) for picking up sound from the environment, a digital signal processor (27) for alleviating a hearing loss of a specific user by compensating an audio signal according to the users hearing deficit, and an output transducer (29) for reproducing the compensated audio signal. The hearing assistive device further includes an integrated circuit component (40) having at least one analog-to-digital converter adapted for receiving an audio input signal from a microphone and providing a data output for signal processing. The at least one analog-to-digital converter includes an AC filter (50) preventing audible signal losses towards the microphone, and the AC filter (50) is provided with all components integrated in the integrated circuit component (40).

The invention relates to a device (10) and to a method for electric stimulation. Said device comprises a stimulator (12) which comprises a multi-channel electrode arrangement with several stimulation electrodes (E1-E12). Said device also comprises a processor (18) which determines the pulse rate and the pulse amplitude for each stimulation electrode (E1-E12), and which controls the electrode arrangement for releasing stimulation impulses of the determined pulse rate and pulse amplitude. Said processor (18) determines the pulse rate for each stimulation electrode (E1-E12) dependent on the position in the cochlea. The invention also relates to a computer program product by means of which a data processing system determines the pulse rate for each stimulation electrode (E1-E12) dependent on the actual position thereof.

A method of operating a hearing aid system (400) based on a classification of the current sound environment, which includes a measure of a beat probability and a hearing aid system for carrying out such a method.

A method for recognizing a beat for a hearing system includes converting an acoustic input signal into an electrical input signal in an input transducer. The electrical input signal is processed into an electrical output signal in a signal processing unit. The electrical output signal is converted into an output signal in an output transducer. A beat is recognized by analyzing the electrical input signal and the recognized beat is perceivably output to a hearing system user. A corresponding hearing system for recognizing a beat in the input signal and outputting the recognized beat in a perceivable manner is also provided.

A method and a device are provided for modifying audio signals in accordance with hearing capabilities of an individual who is listening to audio signals played by a music player. The method comprises the steps of: providing a music player operative to play audio signals, wherein the music player comprises a processor configured to modify audio signals that are about to be played, by taking into account the hearing capabilities of the individual; providing information that relates to the hearing capabilities of the individual; forwarding the information that relates to the hearing capabilities of the individual, from an electronic device to the music player; and using the music player processor to modify audio signals when the individual is listening to audio signals being played by the music player, wherein the audio signals are modified before they are played by taking into account the individual's hearing capabilities.

A signal processing arrangement generates electrical stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in an implanted cochlear implant array. An input sound signal is decomposed into dominant psychophysically relevant frequency components, with each frequency component changing over time in frequency and level. Each frequency component is coded as a patient-specific, frequency-specific function of stimulation location, rate, and level to produce a sequence of requested stimulation events having an instantaneous frequency and level. And the electrical stimulation signals are generated from the requested stimulation events for delivery by the stimulation contacts to adjacent auditory neural tissue.

A method and a device are provided for modifying audio signals in accordance with hearing capabilities of an individual who is listening to audio signals played by a music player. The method comprises the steps of: providing a music player operative to play audio signals, wherein the music player comprises a processor configured to modify audio signals that are about to be played, by taking into account the hearing capabilities of the individual; providing information that relates to the hearing capabilities of the individual; forwarding the information that relates to the hearing capabilities of the individual, from an electronic device to the music player; and using the music player processor to modify audio signals when the individual is listening to audio signals being played by the music player, wherein the audio signals are modified before they are played by taking into account the individual's hearing capabilities.

In one embodiment, an audio system can generate a parametrically formulated noise signal which can be mixed with an audio signal or acoustic signal. According to an embodiment, a parametrically formulated noise signal can be configured to have a power spectrum amplitude that is a function of frequency. According to an embodiment, a parametrically formulated noise signal can have a power spectrum amplitude across a range of frequencies that is a function of an individual's hearing thresholds across the range of frequencies.