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Publication Number
US-11863938-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present application relates to a hearing aid adapted to be worn in or at an ear of a hearing aid user and/or to be fully or partially implanted in the head of the hearing aid user. The hearing aid may comprise an input unit for receiving an input sound signal from an environment of a hearing aid user and providing at least one electric input signal representing said input sound signal, an output unit for providing at least one set of stimuli perceivable as sound to the hearing aid user based on processed versions of said at least one electric input signal, a voice activity detector (VAD) configured to determine speech in the input sound signal, an own voice detector (OVD) configured to determine own voice of the hearing aid user in the input sound signal, a processing unit connected to said input unit and to said output unit and comprising signal processing parameters of the hearing aid to provide processed versions of said at least one electric input signal, a turn-taking determining unit configured to determine turn-taking behaviour of the hearing aid user, wherein the processing unit is configured to adjust said signal processing parameters based on the determined turn-taking behavior of the hearing aid user.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a hearing aid and hearing system that receives an input sound signal from an environment of a hearing aid user and provides at least one electric input signal representing the input sound signal. The hearing aid includes a voice activity detector (VAD) configured to determine speech in the input sound signal and an own voice detector (OVD) configured to determine own voice of the hearing aid user in the input sound signal. Based on these determinations, the hearing aid includes a turn-taking determining unit configured to determine turn-taking behaviour of the hearing aid user.
The hearing aid further includes a processing unit connected to the input unit and to an output unit, wherein the processing unit comprises signal processing parameters of the hearing aid to provide processed versions of the at least one electric input signal. The processing unit is configured to adjust the signal processing parameters based on the determined turn-taking behavior and is configured to determine a confidence level of the determined turn-taking behavior. The hearing aid communicates the determined turn-taking behaviour to another hearing aid via an antenna and transceiver circuitry that establish a communication link.
In dependent aspects, the document describes augmenting the turn-taking determination with measuring gaps and overlaps and determining a speaking rate using a modulation filter. It also describes enhancing own-voice detection using microphone proximity effects, an ear-canal microphone, accelerometer/jaw movement or F0 detection, and/or an inertial measurement unit for head movement/attention. The document further describes storing and applying reference signal-processing parameters for a second time segment when own voice is not detected, and exchanging turn-taking behaviour information to enable coordinated updating of reference signal-processing parameters.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims (a hearing aid and a method). The inventive features across both independent claims include speech detection (VAD), own-voice detection (OVD), turn-taking determination, confidence-level determination, real-time adjustment of signal processing parameters based on turn-taking, and communication of the determined turn-taking behaviour to another hearing aid.
Turn-taking based signal processing with VAD and OVD
A hearing aid comprising an input unit receiving an input sound signal, a voice activity detector (VAD) determining speech in the input sound signal, an own voice detector (OVD) determining own voice of the hearing aid user in the input sound signal, and a turn-taking determining unit determining turn-taking behaviour of the hearing aid user.
Adjusting signal processing parameters based on turn-taking
A processing unit connected to the input unit and to an output unit, wherein the processing unit adjusts signal processing parameters based on the determined turn-taking behavior to provide processed versions of said at least one electric input signal and thereby provide stimuli perceivable as sound to the hearing aid user.
Confidence level determination for turn-taking behavior
A processing unit configured to determine a confidence level of the determined turn-taking behavior.
Exchange of turn-taking information with another hearing aid
A hearing aid including an antenna and transceiver circuitry establishing a communication link to another hearing aid, wherein the hearing aid is configured to communicate the determined turn-taking behaviour to the other hearing aid.
Method for turn-taking based signal processing with communication
A method receiving an input sound signal by an input unit, determining speech by a VAD, determining own voice by an OVD, determining turn-taking behaviour by a turn-taking determining unit, adjusting signal processing parameters based on the determined turn-taking behavior, providing processed versions and stimuli by a processing unit and an output unit, determining a confidence level, establishing a communication link to another hearing aid via an antenna and transceiver circuitry, and communicating the determined turn-taking behaviour to the other hearing aid.
Across the independent claims, the hearing aid/method detects speech via a VAD, detects the user’s own voice via an OVD, determines turn-taking behavior, determines a confidence level for that turn-taking, adjusts signal processing parameters based on the determined turn-taking behavior, and communicates the determined turn-taking behaviour to another hearing aid.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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