METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING A BEAT WITH A HEARING AID

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for recognizing a beat for a hearing system, the method comprising the following steps: converting an acoustic input signal into an electrical input signal in an input transducer; processing the electrical input signal into an electrical output signal in a signal processing unit; converting the electrical output signal into an output signal in an output transducer; recognizing a beat by analyzing the electrical input signal; and perceivably outputting the recognized beat to a hearing system user.

2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises carrying out the step of analyzing the electrical input signal in non-processed form.

3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises outputting recognized beat components in an amplified manner in the output signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: recognizing a heartbeat as a beat; and outputting the recognized heartbeat in a perceivable manner.

5. The method according to claim 4, which further comprises carrying out the step of outputting the recognized heartbeat in a perceivable manner as an amplified beat component in the output signal.

6. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises outputting a beat signal being synchronous with the recognized beat.

7. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises using a mobile communication device to output the beat signal being synchronous with the recognized beat.

8. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises outputting the beat signal being synchronous with the recognized beat as a speech signal.

9. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises using a tactile clock to output the beat signal being synchronous with the recognized beat.

10. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises automatically recognizing deviations of the recognized beat from a predetermined beat.

11. A hearing system, comprising: an input transducer for converting an acoustic input signal into an electrical input signal; a signal processing unit connected to said input transducer for processing the electrical input signal; an output transducer connected to said signal processing unit for converting the processed electrical output signal into an output signal; and a beat analysis unit configured and constructed to recognize a beat in the electrical input signal and to perceivably output the recognized beat to a hearing system user.

12. The hearing system according to claim 11, wherein said beat analysis unit is implemented in said signal processing unit.

13. The hearing system according to claim 11, wherein said beat analysis unit is configured and constructed for outputting recognized beat components in the output signal in an amplified manner.

14. The hearing system according to claim 11, wherein said beat analysis unit is configured and constructed to output a beat signal being synchronous with the recognized beat.

15. The hearing system according to claim 14, which further comprises a tactile clock for outputting the beat signal being synchronous with the recognized beat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0036] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a procedure for recognizing a beat for a hearing aid; and

[0037] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view of a hearing aid with a signal processing unit for recognizing a beat and for outputting the latter in a perceivable manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen an illustration of a procedure for recognizing a beat for a hearing aid. In order to recognize and e.g. amplify the beat in an acoustic input signal, the electrical input signal converted from an acoustic input signal by using e.g. a microphone is analyzed continuously (step 1). A beat is recognized within the scope of the analysis on the basis of beat features such as e.g. periodically returning sound peaks (beats) (step 2). In particular, beat components or beat features contained in the signal are recognized in this case.

[0039] The electrical input signal is typically processed in a signal processing unit and prepared for the hearing aid wearer in a frequency specific manner and in accordance with recognized hearing situations (step 3). In particular, there is e.g. a frequency compression of the signal, a noise suppression and/or a feedback compensation within the scope of this signal processing (step 3). The beat is analyzed before this signal processing.

[0040] The beat components or beat features recognized in the electrical input signal are, in the present case, e.g. amplified within the scope of the signal processing or added back to the processed signal after carrying out the aforementioned processing algorithms (step 4). Finally, the electrical output signal obtained in this manner is converted into an acoustic output signal (step 5). The beat components or beat features of the acoustic input signal are contained in the output signal or reproduced in a manner that is being perceivably or perceptibly amplified for the hearing aid wearer (step 6).

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE hearing aid) as a hearing aid 10. The hearing aid 10 includes a hearing aid casing 12, in which two microphones 14 are disposed as input transducers 14. The microphones 14 are used to record the sound from the surroundings as an acoustic input signal and to convert that acoustic input signal into an electrical input signal. The non-processed electrical input signal is analyzed continuously for recognizing the beat.

[0042] The electrical input signal is processed or amplified within a signal processing unit 16. The signal processing unit 16 is likewise used as a beat analysis unit 17 which identifies a beat or beat components in the signal that has still not been processed. The processed output signal is then converted into an acoustic output signal in an output transducer 18, e.g. a loudspeaker. In one variant, the recognized beat components are added to the output signal in an amplified manner. In another variant, the recognized beat is output for the hearing aid wearer as a speech signal through the output transducer 18. In a further variant, the recognized beat is guided to an external output device 20, e.g. a smartphone, through radio for example, with the external output device outputting the beat in a visual or tactile manner (e.g. by way of vibrations).

[0043] The hearing aid 10 and, in particular, the signal processing unit 18, are supplied with power by a battery 21 that is likewise integrated into the hearing aid casing 12.