H04R25/554

Systems and methods for coordinating rendering of a remote audio stream by binaural hearing devices
11510020 · 2022-11-22 · ·

A binaural hearing system includes first and second hearing devices communicatively coupled by way of a binaural communication link. The first hearing device determines that a signal quality measure of a wireless signal transmitted by the remote audio source is greater than an upper threshold level. In response, both hearing devices enter a wireless audio rendering mode in which they render a remote audio stream from the remote audio source to a user. While operating in the wireless audio rendering mode, both hearing devices determine that a signal quality measure of the remote audio stream drops below a lower threshold level. In response to this determination, both hearing devices exit the wireless audio rendering mode.

HEARING DEVICE COMPRISING A DETECTOR AND A TRAINED NEURAL NETWORK

A hearing device comprises an input transducer comprising a microphone for providing an electric input signal representative of sound in the environment of the hearing device, a pre-processor for processing electric input signal and providing a multitude of feature vectors, each being representative of a time segment thereof, a neural network processor adapted to implement a neural network for implementing a detector configured to provide an output indicative of a characteristic property of the at least one electric input signal, the neural network being configured to receive said multitude of feature vectors as input vectors and to provide corresponding output vectors representative of said output of said detector in dependence of said input vectors. The hearing device further comprises a transceiver comprising a transmitter and a receiver for establishing a communication link to another part or device or server, at least in a particular adaptation-mode of operation, and a selector for—in said particular adaptation—mode of operation—routing said feature vectors to said transmitter for transmission to said another part or device or server, and—in a normal mode of operation—to route said feature vectors to said neural network processor for use as inputs to said neural network, a neural network controller connected to said neural network processor for—in said particular adaptation-mode of operation—receiving optimized node parameters, and to apply said optimized node parameters to said nodes of said neural network to thereby implement an optimized neural network in said neural network processor, wherein the optimized node parameters have been selected among a multitude of sets of node parameters for respective candidate neural networks according to a predefined criterion in dependence of said feature vectors. A method of selecting optimized parameters for a neural network for use in a portable hearing device is further disclosed. The invention may e.g. be used in hearing aids or headsets, or similar, e.g. wearable, devices.

HEARING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING HEARING DEVICE
20230056862 · 2023-02-23 ·

A hearing device directly or indirectly connected to a server through a network, the hearing device being provided with: an input unit that acquires sound data from the outside; a communication unit that transmits the sound data to the server, and receives a parameter set generated on the basis of the analysis result obtained by analyzing the sound data in the server; a storage unit that stores the parameter set; and an adjustment unit that, on the basis of the parameter set, adjusts gains of a plurality of prescribed frequencies.

HEARING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DATABASE OF ACOUSTIC TRANSFER FUNCTIONS

A hearing system comprises a) a multitude of M of microphones providing M corresponding electric input signals x.sub.m(n), m=1, ..., M, and n representing time, b) a processor connected to said multitude of microphones and providing a processed signal in dependence thereof, c) an output unit for providing an output signal in dependence of said processed signal, and d) a database (Θ) comprising a dictionary (Δ.sub.pd) of previously determined acoustic transfer function vectors (ATF.sub.pd). The processor is configured A) to determine a constrained estimate of a acoustic transfer function vector (ATF.sub.pd,.sub.cur) in dependence of said M electric input signals and said dictionary (Δ.sub.pd), B) to determine an unconstrained estimate of a current acoustic transfer function vector (ATF.sub.uc,.sub.cur) in dependence of said M electric input signals, and C) to determine a resulting acoustic transfer function vector (ATF*) for a user of the hearing system in dependence thereof and of a confidence measure related to said electric input signals. A method of operating a hearing device is also disclosed. Thereby an improved noise reduction system for a hearing aid or headset may be provided.

SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR FITTING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES

Embodiments herein relate to systems, devices and methods for fitting hearing assistance devices. In a first aspect, a method of fitting a hearing assistance device is included, the method including providing an audio sample to a hearing assistance device wearer, receiving input from the hearing assistance device wearer regarding a preferred sound volume or perceived loudness, receiving input from the hearing assistance device wearer with the external device regarding a bass/treble balance, and determining a maximum power output of the hearing assistance device that does not exceed a loudness discomfort level (LDL). Other embodiments are also included herein.

STEREO RECEPTION OF AUDIO STREAMS IN SINGLE ENDPOINT WIRELESS SYSTEMS
20230054769 · 2023-02-23 ·

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for obtaining stereo reception of an audio stream by multiple audio devices when only a single endpoint is the intended recipient. A system includes a first audio device and one or more second audio devices. The first audio device receives a first signal from a central device via a first wireless connection, transfers to the one or more second audio devices via a second wireless connection a second signal to enable the one or more second audio devices to eavesdrop on the first wireless connection, receives the incoming audio packet via the first wireless connection, and sends the incoming audio packet to the one or more second audio devices via the second wireless connection. The one or more second audio devices receives the incoming audio packet using the second wireless connection or by eavesdropping on the first wireless connection.

AUDIO FEEDBACK REDUCTION SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES, AUDIO FEEDBACK REDUCTION METHOD AND NON-TRANSITORY MACHINE-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM
20220369045 · 2022-11-17 ·

To provide improved feedback reduction in hearing assistance devices, technical solutions described herein include remeasuring a feedback path and updating adaptive feedback cancellation parameters whenever a user receives and plays an audio stream signal. When the user converts the audio stream signal into an acoustic audio signal using a speaker within the hearing assistance device, a feedback portion of the acoustic audio signal may be fed back into the microphone of the hearing assistance device. The hearing assistance device can then compare the feedback portion to the received audio stream signal, and that comparison can be used to update adaptive feedback cancellation parameters within the hearing assistance device. When the hearing assistance device receives an acoustic audio input at the microphone, it may amplify that input and apply the received acoustic audio input based on the updated adaptive feedback cancellation parameters to reduce or minimize feedback.

BEAM-STEERING ANTENNA ARRAY AUDIO ACCESSORY DEVICE
20220368394 · 2022-11-17 ·

An audio transmission antenna array may be used to create multiple wireless audio beams, such as using beamforming and beam-steering. For example, individual control of the amplitude and phase of the radio frequency signals fed to each of the antenna elements within the array may be used to create a desired combined antenna pattern. This subject matter may be used for an audio streamer accessory, which may be used to stream audio wirelessly from a source directly to a hearing device, such as streaming audio from a TV to a viewer's audio streaming device. This may be used to provide improve audio performance in environments where multiple users stream audio from a single audio device, or where one or more users are moving around while using the streaming audio device. This may also be used to reduce or eliminate choppiness of audio that a digital audio source can produce.

ERROR CORRECTION OVERWRITE FOR AUDIO ARTIFACT REDUCTION
20230055690 · 2023-02-23 · ·

Audio communication methods, devices, and systems, are provided with error correction overwrite for audio artifact reduction. One illustrative low-latency audio streaming method includes: receiving packets of digital audio data; applying an error correction code decoder to obtain a data stream that includes error-corrected data samples; providing a correction-limited data stream by replacing any of the error-corrected data samples that are outliers; and converting the correction-limited data stream into an audio signal.

Cochlear implant headpiece

An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions. Cochlear implant systems include a circuit board having electronic circuitry configured to generate one or more signals configured to direct electrical stimulation of one or more stimulation sites within a patient, an induction coil configured to transmit a telemetry signal by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between the induction coil and the circuit board. The telemetry flux guide is configured to direct magnetic flux of the telemetry magnetic field away from the circuit board.