133results about "Hearing impaired stereophonic signal reproduction" patented technology

An electronic translator translates input speech into multiple streams of data that are simultaneously delivered to the user, such as a hearing impaired individual. Preferably, the data is delivered in audible, visual and text formats. These multiple data streams are delivered to the hearing-impaired individual in a synchronized fashion, thereby creating a cognitive response. Preferably, the system of the present invention converts the input speech to a text format, and then translates the text to any of three other forms, including sign language, animation and computer generated speech. The sign language and animation translations are preferably implemented by using the medium of digital movies in which videos of a person signing words, phrase and finger spelled words, and of animations corresponding to the words, are selectively accessed from databases and displayed. Additionally the received speech is converted to computer-generated speech for input to various hearing enhancement devices used by the deaf or hearing-impaired, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, or other output devices such as speakers, etc. The data streams are synchronized utilizing a high-speed personal computer to facilitate sufficiently fast processing that the text, video signing and audible streams can be generated simultaneously in real time. Once synchronized the data streams are presented to the subject concurrently in a method that allows the process of mental comprehension to occur. The electronic translator can also be interfaced to other communications devices, such as telephones. Preferably, the hearing-impaired person is also able to use the system's keyboard or mouse to converse or respond.

A personal sound system is described that includes a wireless network supporting an ear-level module, a companion module and a phone. Other audio sources are supported as well. A configuration processor configures the ear-level module and the companion module for private communications, and configures the ear-level module for a plurality of signal processing modes, including a hearing aid mode, for a corresponding plurality of sources of audio data. The ear module is configured to handle variant audio sources, and control switching among them.

A system for use with an audio reproduction system that corrects for distortion caused by the system as well as any hearing impairment suffered a listener. Test signals are introduced into the input of the system to produce test sounds that are perceptible by the listener. Using a pushbutton, the listener indicates when a test signal of progressively increasing volume reaches an audible level. The resulting measured values of the listener's threshold of hearing at different frequencies is compared with comparable data for a normal listener to generate correction values that are used to program an equalizer which compensates for not only the listener's hearing impairments but also any distortion produced by system components or room acoustics.

A mobile phone or other personal communication device includes resources applying measures of an individual's hearing profile, personal choice profile, and induced hearing loss profile, separately or in combination, to build the basis of sound enhancement. A personal communication device thus comprises a transmitter / receiver coupled to a communication medium for transmitted receiving audio signals, control circuitry that controls transmission, reception and processing of call and audio signals, a speaker, and a microphone. The control circuitry includes logic applying one or more of a hearing profile of the user, a user preference related hearing, and environmental noise factors in processing the audio signals. The control circuitry may includes instruction memory and an instruction execution processor such as a digital signal processor.

Methods and systems for high quality computer based adaptation of audio data are shown. Adaptation, delivery of audio data, and testing of user's hearing abilities can occur on computers or computer networks such as the Internet Adaptation can compensate for frequency dependent and audio masking impairments. The audio to be adapted can include real-time streaming digital data or static data files. Standard digital audio formats are supported.

An electronic device with audio output, such as a television, is adjusted to the customized listening profile of a user with a user interface module 100 and a control module 110. A user sets the level of amplification for the center or test frequency of a number of audio frequency bands. The control module generates tones at the test frequencies and the user adjusts the amplification of each tone until the user is satisfied with hearing that tone. The other frequencies in the band are adjusted by the same amount as the test tone.

A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal. The user actuated controller enables the user to specify a range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, which permits the listener to expand the audio across a continuous range to whatever dynamic range his hearing can accommodate. The controller automatically adjusts to changes in incoming audio. The controller can react to relatively slowly moving changes or prevent short bursts of sound in the remaining audio from modifying the signal levels. The combination of the above aspects provides a heretofore not possible listening experience that can accommodate the listening desires of all listeners. The combination of the ability to control the ratio of preferred audio to remaining audio and to specify the dynamic range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, coupled with the ability of the controller to automatically adjust the signal levels in response to sudden changes in incoming audio, provides a powerful user capability that truly optimizes the listening experience for any listener.

A method (400, 600) and apparatus (500, 800) allow adjusting parameters associated with an audio signal output from a device. Tones are output according to a first interactive test profile presented on a user interface during a first test period. A first interaction forms a first adjustment profile with adjustment levels. The audio signal is output with parameters adjusted according to the first adjustment profile. The audio signal is output from the device in accordance with the first adjustment profile and a second interactive test profile. An interaction with the user interface forms a second adjustment profile having second adjustment levels and the audio signal is then adjusted in accordance with the second adjustment levels. The second interactive test profile includes a speech sample and an intelligibility parameter including a spectral tilt for the device and a formant sharpening profile.

An earpiece is to be created for securing an acoustic device to an ear of a user which fits universally, is easy to use and guarantees secure holding characteristics for the acoustic device on the ear. To this end, an earpiece is proposed having a main body, an auditory canal grommet projecting into the auditory canal of the user when the earpiece is worn and a sprung element, whereby the main body, the auditory canal grommet and the sprung element are dimensioned and aligned with one another in such a way that the earpiece is capable of being positioned at least mainly in the concha of the ear of the user and can be fixed in the concha solely by a rotational movement of the earpiece.

A personalized hearing profile is generated for an ear-level device comprising a memory, microphone, speaker and processor. Communication is established between the ear-level device and a companion device, having a user interface. A frame of reference in the user interface is provided, where positions in the frame of reference are associated with sound profile data. A position on the frame of reference is determined in response to user interaction with the user interface, and certain sound profile data associated with the position. Certain data is transmitted to the ear level device. Sound can be generated through the speaker based upon the audio stream data to provide real-time feedback to the user. The determining and transmitting steps are repeated until detection of an end event.

Systems and methods that use ultrasonic emitters for producing multi-dimensional parametric audio are provided. The systems and methods can be configured to determine HRTF filters for the left and right ears of a listener using an optical imaging system to scan a profile of a listener. Audio content may be encoded into a left and right channel for producing a three dimensional sound effect for the listener of the audio content by: processing the sound channel into left and right input channel signals; applying the HRTF filters and acoustic crosstalk cancellations filters to the left and right channel signals to generate output left and right channel signals; and modulating the left and right output channel signal frequencies onto an ultrasonic carrier.

A DSP-enabled system and method for increasing intelligibility of audio on amplified telephones by providing digital audio processing customizable based on characteristics of hearing loss specific to individual end users are disclosed. The DSP-enabled amplified telephone generally comprises a DSP capable of implementing at least one digital processing mode for processing audio input, a volume control for allowing the user to select a volume control level, and a controller for interfacing between the DSP and the volume control. The DSP is optionally programmable to implement a processing mode selected from multiple processing modes that the DSP is capable of implementing. The mode is selected based upon the user's hearing loss characteristics. The DSP may be further customized by being programmed with frequency response, compression ratio, and / or knee point according to hearing loss characteristics of the user. The DSP may implement digital TILL, BILL, and / or PILL (treble, bass, and programmable increase at low levels, respectively), all of which apply more amplification to softer inputs than to louder inputs, as well as input compression, output compression, and / or finite impulse response (FIR) filter tone control.

A system for use with an audio reproduction system that corrects for distortion caused by the system as well as any hearing impairment suffered a listener. Test signals are introduced into the input of the system to produce test sounds that are perceptible by the listener. Using a pushbutton, the listener indicates when a test signal of progressively increasing volume reaches an audible level. The resulting measured values of the listener's threshold of hearing at different frequencies is compared with comparable data for a normal listener to generate correction values that are used to program an equalizer which compensates for not only the listener's hearing impairments but also any distortion produced by system components or room acoustics.

A volume controlling system and method for regulating the output volume of a headset in order to protect the hearing ability of a user. The system includes a volume sensor / controller for monitoring the volume output of the headset by adjusting the volume to be within a predetermined threshold. A warning indicator indicates to the user or a person monitoring the listening user that the volume is set too high. The method include the steps of comparing the received audio signal to the predetermined volume threshold and adjusting the volume accordingly. The method also includes the steps of notifying that the volume has been set at too high a level by providing a warning signal, such as an audible or visual alarm.

A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired listeners, as well as non-hearing impaired listeners, without forcing hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal. The user actuated controller enables the user to specify a range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, which permits the listener to expand the audio across a continuous range to whatever dynamic range his hearing can accommodate. The controller automatically adjusts to changes in incoming audio. The controller can react to relatively slowly moving changes or prevent short bursts of sound in the remaining audio from modifying the signal levels. The combination of the above aspects provides a heretofore not possible listening experience that can accommodate the listening desires of all listeners. The combination of the ability to control the ratio of preferred audio to remaining audio and to specify the dynamic range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, coupled with the ability of the controller to automatically adjust the signal levels in response to sudden changes in incoming audio, provides a powerful user capability that truly optimizes the listening experience for any listener.

A first directivity parameter to provide a narrow directivity and a second directivity parameter to provide a wide directivity are preset for a directivity control apparatus to control the directivity of an array loudspeaker system. The directivity control apparatus selects either the first directivity parameter or the second directivity parameter in accordance with an instruction that is entered through an operating unit to select the directional characteristic of a loudspeaker array. Then, based on the selected directivity parameter, the directivity control apparatus generates delay control information, to be supplied to a delay circuit, and generates gain control information, to be supplied to a weighting unit.

An earplug (7) for a hearing aid (1), in particular for a BTE-type hearing aid, has a front end (8) and a rear end (9). The front end (8) is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer. The earplug (7) comprises a main body part (10) comprising a longitudinal bore (11) extending along a centrally arranged axis (A-A) of the earplug (7), and at least one sound output passage (17) in communication with said longitudinal bore (11) and leading to a sound output opening (18). The earplug also has a collar (19), which is adapted to engage the wall of an ear canal and surrounds the main body part (10). The output opening (18) has at least one edge part (18a) located in a retracted manner with respect to said front end (8).

A mobile phone or other personal communication device includes resources applying measures of an individual's hearing profile, personal choice profile, and induced hearing loss profile, separately or in combination, to build the basis of sound enhancement. A personal communication device thus comprises a transmitter / receiver coupled to a communication medium for transmitted receiving audio signals, control circuitry that controls transmission, reception and processing of call and audio signals, a speaker, and a microphone. The control circuitry includes logic applying one or more of a hearing profile of the user, a user preference related hearing, and environmental noise factors in processing the audio signals. The control circuitry may includes instruction memory and an instruction execution processor such as a digital signal processor.

An audio player includes a memory storing one or more audio data files and at least one personalized audio profile comprising for each ear a map of amplitude audio frequency profile. A file selector permits a user to select one or more of the stored audio data files and at least one of the personalized profiles. A data processor accesses the selected files and profiles from the memory and processes the selected files with the profile to generate a processed audio signal for each ear. An actuator reproduces the audio information stored in the processed audio signal as sound for each ear. Personalized profiles are produced by monitoring and storing the responses of users to audible signals having different frequencies.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an earphone that allows for individual adjustment of different audio levels produced out of a first and second speaker to compensate for hearing impairment in one or both ears. The earphone may include a jack plug that is configured for insertion into an audio source that has a first volume control for setting the audio volume level produced by the first speaker. The earphone may also include a second volume control having an inlet and an outlet the inlet being operably connected to the jack plug. The second volume control may be configured to adjust the audio volume level produced by the second speaker. The maximum audio volume level of the second volume control may be approximately the same as the audio volume level set by the first volume control. The minimum audio volume of the second volume control may be inaudible.

A system for assisting a hearing impaired user is presented. The system includes a transmitter to transmit data representing audio intended to be heard by a hearing impaired person, the transmitter paired with at least one intended receiver. The transmitter includes: an analogue-to-digital converter to convert an analogue audio signal into digitally represented audio data, and a transmitter to transmit the digitally represented audio data in a radio signal on an active channel selected from a plurality of channels. The system also includes a receiver to receive data representing audio to be heard by the hearing impaired person, the receiver paired with the transmitter device. The receiver includes a receiver to receive the radio signal containing the digitally represented audio data, the radio signal being received from the transmitter on the active channel, and a digital-to-analogue converter to convert the digitally represented audio data into an analogue audio signal.

A bowl-shaped cover (1) with a hole at the bottom replaces the cover with a sound hole of the conventional earphone, thus creating a constant space. The earphone sound vibrates the cover (1) by beating the inside of the cover (1) and then the vibration is transmitted to a rubber drumhead (vibrating membrane) (2) which is attached onto the cover (1). The rubber drumhead (vibrating membrane) (2) of the earphone works as a soft earmuff and makes wearing feel soft and comfortable. The present invention relates to the earphone that converts sound into vibration and also isolates sound.

The invention regards an audio device and comprises a microphone and a sound canal allowing sound to pass from the surroundings to the microphone. Further a signal path from the microphone to a receiver is provided and powered by a current source, such that sounds received at the microphone may be enhanced and presented at the ear level of the user. According to the invention a protection screen is provided at the sound canal, whereby the screen comprises a first surface which faces the surroundings and a second surface which faces the sound canal whereby the screen has a slit formed opening between the first surface and the second surface whereby the transition between the first surface and the slit formed opening is smooth and gradual, and whereby a sharp edge forms the transition between the second surface and the slit formed opening.

Compensating for user sensory impairment in Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) interactive sessions, and related methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In this regard, in one embodiment, a method for compensating for a user sensory impairment in a WebRTC interactive session is provided. The method comprises receiving, by a computing device, an indication of user sensory impairment. The method further comprises receiving a content of a WebRTC interactive flow directed to the computing device. The method also comprises modifying, by the computing device, the content of the WebRTC interactive flow based on the indication of user sensory impairment. The method additionally comprises rendering the modified content of the WebRTC interactive flow. In this manner, a WebRTC interactive flow may be enhanced to compensate for a user sensory impairment, and thus the user's comprehension of the WebRTC interactive session may be improved.

This invention describes methods of Audio Signal Personalized Enhancement for optimal listening to music. A combination of hearing test, audio signal compensation, and signal processing algorithms are implemented jointly in an audio Device. An audio signal is processed and tuned within the entire range of audible frequencies to actively compensate for both the characteristics of the listening device, and the specific hearing characteristics of the listener, resulting in a much improved music listening experience. A randomized self-test algorithm is used to analyze user's hearing ability in each ear within a preselected dynamic volume range at multiple frequencies spanning the audible spectrum.