JP3345534B2 - hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hearing aid for controlling output sound in consideration of surrounding sounds.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a hearing aid for controlling output sound based on information indicated by a wearer of the hearing aid.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional hearing aid is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-5-56499. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of this conventional hearing aid, where 801 is an A / D converter for A / D converting audio, 802 is a means for processing the frequency characteristics of audio, and 803 is different from when inputting audio. Means to output at speed, 804
Is a D / A converter for D / A conversion, 805 is a means for recording, 80
Reference numeral 6 denotes control signal input / output means for inputting / outputting control signals.

[0004]

However, such a conventional hearing aid as described above amplifies the captured sound without distinguishing between the sound and the non-speech sound, and amplifies the amplified sound for a person wearing the hearing aid. If the environmental sound other than the voice becomes high in order to output the sound, there is a problem that the person wearing the hearing aid has a discomfort.

Similarly, the conventional hearing aid amplifies environmental sounds, such as an alarm sound emitted by an ambulance or a pedestrian crossing, together with a voice, so that the power level of the output sound becomes excessively large. There is also a problem of giving a person wearing a remarkable discomfort.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a hearing aid capable of controlling the volume of an output sound or opening and closing the same based on a non-speech section extracted from an input sound. Aim.

Further, the present invention controls the volume of an output sound or the opening / closing of the output sound by detecting the warning sound, for example, when the warning sound suddenly jumps into the environmental sound included in the input sound. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid that can attenuate the frequency band of a warning sound included in an output sound.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid capable of controlling the volume of an output sound or opening and closing the same by extracting a predetermined operation by a person wearing the hearing aid, for example. .

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a sound input means for inputting sound, an amplifying means for amplifying a sound input by the sound input means, and an amplifying means for amplifying the sound input by the sound input means. Sound output means for outputting a sound that has been input, based on the sound input by the sound input means, a non-voice section information detection means for detecting information about a non-voice section, and a sound input by the sound input means and Control means for changing the amplification factor of the amplifying means or opening and closing the output of the sound output by the sound output means based on the information on the silent section or on the information on the silent section. The control means is provided by the sound input means.
The power level of the input sound and the
The amplification means is increased based on the ratio to the power level of the sound.
Changing the width ratio or the sound output by the sound output means.
A hearing aid that opens and closes the output.

Thus, the output of the hearing aid can be controlled according to the noise included in the environmental sound.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to sound input means for inputting sound, amplifying means for amplifying the sound input by the sound input means, and sound output means for outputting the sound amplified by the amplifying means. Based on a sound input by the sound input unit, a non-voice section information detection unit that detects information on a non-voice section, and based on the sound input by the sound input unit and the information on the non-voice section. Or control means for changing the amplification factor of the amplification means or opening and closing the output of the sound output by the sound output means, based on the information on the non-voice section, wherein the control means
Power level of the sound input by the sound input means and the
Based on the ratio between the sound power level and the sound level in the non-voice section
Changing the amplification factor of the amplification means, or changing the sound output means.
Is a hearing aid that opens and closes the output of the sound output by the hearing aid.

[0012]

[0013]

Further , the present invention provides a sound input means for inputting sound, an amplifying means for amplifying a sound input by the sound input means, a sound output means for outputting a sound amplified by the amplifying means, Predetermined sound detection means for detecting a sound having a predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means; and changing the amplification factor of the amplification means based on the sound having the predetermined frequency, or changing the sound output. Control means for opening and closing the output of the sound output by the means.

[0015] The term "based on the sound having the predetermined frequency" in the present invention may be based on the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency.

In the present invention, the expression “based on the sound having the predetermined frequency” may be based on a period in which the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency satisfies a predetermined value.

Further, the hearing aid of the present invention detects a signal containing at least a frequency different from the sound having the predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means, or detects the signal in a non-voice section. Based on the sound having the predetermined frequency, based on the ratio between the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency and the power level of the signal detected by the reference sound detecting means. It may be.

Further, the hearing aid of the present invention detects a signal containing at least a frequency different from the sound having the predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means, or detects the signal in a non-voice section. Based on the sound having the predetermined frequency, wherein the ratio between the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency and the power level of the signal detected by the reference sound detecting means is a predetermined value. May be based on a period that satisfies the criterion.

Further, the hearing aid according to the present invention, based on the sound having a predetermined frequency detected by the predetermined sound detecting means, detects a predetermined sound detected by the wearer of the hearing aid. Notification means may be provided. Note that the predetermined sound detection notifying means may notify the wearer of the hearing aid of the presence or absence of the sound using vibration or visible light.

The present invention provides sound input means for inputting sound, amplification means for amplifying the sound input by the sound input means, sound output means for outputting the sound amplified by the amplification means, Predetermined sound detection means for detecting a sound having a predetermined frequency from the sound input by the input means, and between the sound input means and the amplification means or the amplification means, based on the sound having the predetermined frequency. A hearing aid comprising: control means for controlling whether or not a filter for attenuating the sound having the predetermined frequency is interposed in one of the sound output means and the sound output means.

[0021] The term "based on the sound having the predetermined frequency" in the present invention may be based on the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency.

Further, the term "based on the sound having the predetermined frequency" according to the present invention may be based on a period in which the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency satisfies a predetermined value.

Further, the hearing aid of the present invention detects a signal including at least a frequency different from the sound having the predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means, or detects the signal in a non-voice section. Based on the sound having the predetermined frequency, based on the ratio between the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency and the power level of the signal detected by the reference sound detecting means. It may be.

Further, the hearing aid of the present invention detects a signal including at least a frequency different from the sound having the predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means, or detects the signal in a non-voice section. Based on the sound having the predetermined frequency, wherein the ratio between the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency and the power level of the signal detected by the reference sound detecting means is a predetermined value. May be based on a period that satisfies the criterion.

Further, the hearing aid according to the present invention, based on the sound having a predetermined frequency detected by the predetermined sound detecting means, detects a predetermined sound detected by the wearer of the hearing aid. Notification means may be provided. Note that the predetermined sound detection notifying means may notify the wearer of the hearing aid of the presence or absence of the sound using vibration or visible light.

[0026]

[0027] The predetermined information of the present invention may be information indicating whether or not the front of the wearer faces a voice direction.

[0028] The predetermined information may be information indicating whether or not the wearer has closed his / her eyes for a predetermined time or more.

[0029] Further, the predetermined information may be information indicating whether or not the line of sight of the wearer is facing the direction of voice.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A first embodiment of the hearing aid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an A / D converter for converting an input sound from analog to digital. Reference numeral 102 denotes a non-voice section detector that detects a non-voice section from the A / D converted input sound. Reference numeral 103 denotes a non-speech level detector that measures the power level of a sound in a non-speech section detected by the non-speech section detector 102. An input sound level detector 104 measures the power level of the A / D converted input sound. Reference numeral 105 denotes the power level measured by the input sound level detector 104 and the soundless level detector 10.
3 is an arithmetic control circuit for calculating the ratio of the power levels measured by the control circuit 3.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an audio characteristic processing device for changing the frequency and time characteristics of the A / D-converted sound according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer wearing the hearing aid of the present embodiment. is there. The audio characteristic processing device 106 is input with the hearing characteristics of the wearer in advance. Reference numeral 107 denotes an A having a characteristic changed by the audio characteristic processing device 106.
This is a speech synthesizer for producing a synthesized sound based on the / D converted input sound.

Numeral 108 denotes an amplifier for amplifying the power level of the synthesized sound produced by the speech synthesizer 107 based on the ratio obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 105. 109
Is a digital-to-analog converter that converts the synthesized sound amplified by the amplifier 108 to output sound to the wearer.
/ A converter.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, A / D
A low-pass filter is arranged before the input of the converter 101,
After the output of the D / A converter 109, a low-pass filter is arranged.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The A / D converter 101 performs A / D conversion on the input sound and outputs it to the audio characteristic processing device 106. The voice characteristic processing device 106 suppresses environmental noise included in the voice section using a known method called a spectral subtraction method, and performs A / D conversion according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer.
Change the frequency and time characteristics of the converted input sound. The speech synthesizer 107 receives the signal processed by the speech characteristic processing device 106, and outputs the signal to the DFT (Discrete Fourier Tra
nsform) or a known synthesis method called LPC (Linear Predictive Coding).

The input sound converted by the A / D converter 101 is input to a non-voice section detector 102. The non-speech section detector 102 detects the number of short-time zero crossings (Short-Time Avera
A non-voice section is detected using a known technique called geZero-Crossing Rate).

The number of short-time zero crossings is determined by the A / D converter 10
By comparing successive sample pairs of the input sound converted by step 1, it is determined whether or not a sign change (zero crossing) exists, and the zero crossing is accumulated at a set time interval. The number of short-time zero-crossings when the input sound includes voice indicates a higher value than the non-voice section when the input sound does not include voice. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a threshold value set in advance based on the number of short-time zero crossings in a voice section (for example, the value is such that the zero crossing in a voice section is five times larger than the zero crossing in a non-voice section) If the number of short-time zero crossings in the analysis section is smaller than that of the analysis section, the non-voice section detector 102 determines that the analysis section is a non-voice section. I do.

The arithmetic control circuit 105 obtains a ratio (F1 / Fenv) from the power level measured by the input sound level detector 104 and the power level measured by the no sound level detector 103.

If the ratio is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 20 dB), it can be determined that the relative noise level is high, and the gain of the amplifier 108 is reduced. As a result, the power level of the sound to the wearer is reduced, and an unpleasant sound including high-level noise can be prevented from being added to the wearer. On the other hand, if the ratio is larger than the predetermined set value, it can be determined that the relative noise level is low, and the gain of the amplifier 108 is set to a normal value. The D / A converter 109 performs D / A conversion on the amplified signal with the gain set as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the relative noise level is high based on the ratio between the power level of the input sound and the power level of the sound in the non-voice section, the gain of the amplifier is determined. , The unpleasant sound due to excessively amplified noise can be prevented from being added to the wearer.

In the present embodiment, the relative noise level included in the output sound is determined based on the non-voice section detected by using the method of the number of short-time zero crossings. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and based on the ratio of the power level of the low frequency to the high frequency included in the input sound, information on the approximate shape of the frequency spectrum of the analyzed sound, etc. The level of the noise level may be determined.

A second embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes an A / D converter that converts an input sound from analog to digital. Reference numeral 102 denotes a non-voice section detector that detects a non-voice section from the A / D converted input sound. Reference numeral 103 denotes a non-speech level detector that measures the power level of a sound in a non-speech section detected by the non-speech section detector 102.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an audio characteristic processing device for changing the frequency and time characteristics of the A / D-converted input sound according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer wearing the hearing aid of the present embodiment. It is. The audio characteristic processing device 106 includes:
The hearing characteristics of the wearer are input in advance. 107
Is a speech synthesizer for producing a synthesized sound based on an A / D-converted input sound having characteristics changed by the sound characteristic processing device 106. Reference numeral 108 denotes an amplifier for amplifying the power level of the synthesized sound generated by the voice synthesizer 107.

Reference numeral 201 denotes an output switch for turning on / off the synthesized sound amplified by the amplifier 108 based on the power level of the sound in the non-voice section detected by the non-voice level detector 103. Reference numeral 109 denotes a D / A converter that performs digital-to-analog conversion of an amplified signal output when the output switch 201 is turned on to output an output sound to a wearer.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The A / D converter 101 performs A / D conversion on the input sound and outputs it to the audio characteristic processing device 106. The voice characteristic processing device 106 suppresses environmental noise included in the voice section using a known method called a spectral subtraction method, and performs A / D conversion according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer.
Change the frequency and time characteristics of the converted input sound. The speech synthesizer 107 receives the signal processed by the speech characteristic processing device 106, and outputs the signal to the DFT (Discrete Fourier Tra
nsform) or a known synthesis method called LPC (Linear Predictive Coding). The amplifier 108 amplifies the power level of the synthesized sound generated by the voice synthesizer 107.

The input sound converted by the A / D converter 101 is input to a non-voice section detector 102. The non-speech section detector 102 is, as in the first embodiment,
A non-voice section is detected using a known technique called the number of short-time zero crossings. The non-voice level detector 103 measures a power level of a sound in a non-voice section.

If the power level of the non-voice section measured by the non-voice level detector 103 is higher than a predetermined set value (for example, 20 dB), it is determined that there is much noise, and the output is determined. The switch 201 is turned off. As a result, unpleasant sounds containing a lot of noise
It is possible to prevent the wearer from participating. On the other hand, when the power level of the sound in the non-voice section is smaller than the set value, it is determined that the noise is small, and the output switch 201 is turned on.

The D / A converter 109 is connected to the output switch 20
When 1 is on, the synthesized sound amplified by the amplifier 108 is D / A converted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the environmental sound contains much noise based on the power level of the sound in the non-voice section, the output switch 20
By turning 1 off, unpleasant sounds due to excessively amplified noise can be prevented from being applied to the wearer.

A third embodiment of the hearing aid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The hearing aid of the present embodiment is effective when a warning sound suddenly jumps into environmental sounds included in input sound. Common warning sounds include sirens emitted by ambulances, fire trucks, patrol cars, and the like, as well as a beeping sound when a pedestrian crossing is possible. These warning sounds are sounds having a significantly higher power at a specific frequency than a normal environmental sound level, and have a specific time-frequency structure. It is assumed that the warning sound in the present embodiment is a sound having a frequency of F1 [Hz] or a certain bandwidth centered on the frequency, as shown in FIG. 4B.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a microphone for taking in sound. Reference numeral 302 denotes a filter bank for frequency-analyzing the sound captured by the microphone 301. 303
Is a power measuring device that measures the power level of the frequency F1 analyzed by the filter bank 302. 304
Is a reference power measuring device that detects a predetermined frequency Fenv [Hz] not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1, and measures the power level of the frequency Fenv in that section. 30
Reference numeral 5 denotes an arithmetic control circuit for calculating a ratio (F1 / Fenv) between the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303 and the power level of the frequency Fenv measured by the reference power measuring device 304.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a delay circuit for delaying the sound captured by the microphone 301. This is for compensating the processing time of the filter bank 302, the power measuring device 303, the reference power measuring device, and the arithmetic control circuit 305. 307 is a filter corresponding to the frequency F1 for removing a warning sound having the frequency F1. 308
Receives the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 based on the ratio obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 305 and the power of the frequency Fenv measured by the reference power measuring device 304 and outputs it to the audio characteristic processing device 309. Or a selection circuit that receives the signal that has passed through the filter 307 and outputs it to the audio characteristic processing device 309, or that receives neither the signal nor outputs the signal.

Reference numeral 309 denotes an audio characteristic processing device for changing the frequency and time characteristics of the signal output from the selection circuit 308 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer wearing the hearing aid. The auditory characteristics of the wearer are input to the audio characteristic processing device 309 in advance. Reference numeral 310 denotes a voice synthesizer for generating a synthesized sound based on the signal whose characteristics have been changed by the voice characteristic processing device 309. 311 is
This is an amplifier that amplifies the synthesized sound generated by the voice synthesizer 310.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The microphone 301 captures sound. Delay circuit 3
06 delays the sound captured by the microphone 301. The filter 307 attenuates the warning sound having the frequency F1 from the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306.

The sound captured by the microphone 301 is subjected to frequency analysis by the filter bank 302. Among the signals analyzed by the filter bank 302, the signal components in the band centered on the frequency of F1 are output to the power measuring device 303, where the power of the frequency F1 is measured. Further, of the signals analyzed by the filter bank 302, the signal components in the band centered on the frequency of Fenv are output to the reference power measuring device 304, where the power level of the frequency Fenv is measured. The arithmetic control circuit 305 calculates a ratio (F1) from the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303 and the power level of the frequency Fenv measured by the reference power measuring device 304.
/ Fenv).

When the ratio obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 305 is larger than a preset value (for example, 5.0),
It is determined that the warning sound is included in the sound captured by the microphone 301. In this case, the selection circuit 308 selects a signal that has passed through the filter 307 and sends it to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

When the ratio obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 305 is smaller than the set value and the power level of the frequency Fenv measured by the power measuring device 304 is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 100 dBBSPL), It is determined that the environmental sounds other than the warning sound are not so loud and that no warning sound exists. In this case, the selection circuit 308 selects the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 and sends it to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

When the power of the frequency Fenv measured by the power measuring device 304 is larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that there is much noise included in the environmental sound regardless of the presence or absence of the warning sound. In this case, the selection circuit 308 includes the filter 307
Neither the signal passed through nor the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 is selected, and neither signal is sent to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

The audio characteristic processing device 309 changes the frequency and time characteristics of the signal transmitted by the selection circuit 308 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer. The voice synthesizer 310
The signal processed by the voice characteristic processing device 309 is received, and a synthesized sound is generated. The amplifier 311 is connected to the voice synthesizer 310.
Amplifies the power level of the synthesized sound created by.

As described above, the hearing aid of the present embodiment is
When the warning sound suddenly jumps into the environmental sound included in the input sound based on the ratio obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 305 and the power level of the frequency Fenv measured by the reference power measuring device 304, the input It is possible to perform processing such as attenuating the warning sound included in the sound, and it is possible to prevent an unpleasant sound such as an excessively amplified warning sound from being added to the wearer.

In this embodiment, the operation control circuit 3
05 uses the power level at the predetermined frequency Fenv not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 as a reference for the ratio, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and a plurality of power levels not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 are used. A power level based on a specific frequency may be used as the reference, a power level in a predetermined frequency band including all or a part of the alarm sound having the frequency F1 may be used as the reference,
Similarly to the embodiment, the power level of the sound captured by the microphone 301 to which the frequency analysis is not applied may be used as the reference.

Also, in the present embodiment, the reference power measuring device 304 measures the power level without calculating the non-speech section. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After the determination, the power level in the section may be measured.

In this embodiment, the sound taken by the microphone 301 is analyzed using the filter bank 302. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The sound may be frequency-analyzed using a frequency analysis technique such as filter analysis.

In this embodiment, the operation control circuit 3
05 is the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303.
, And the ratio of the power level of the frequency Fenv measured by the reference power measuring device 304 is calculated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The arithmetic control circuit 305 calculates the ratio of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303. Power level and frequency measured by reference power measuring device 304
The difference from the power level of Fenv may be obtained.

A fourth embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the warning sound in the present embodiment is a sound having a frequency of F1 [Hz] or a certain bandwidth centered on the frequency, as shown in FIG. 4B. In FIG. 5, 301
Is a microphone for capturing sound. Reference numeral 302 denotes a filter bank for frequency-analyzing the sound captured by the microphone 301. 303 is a filter bank 30
2 is a power measuring device for measuring the power level of the frequency F1 analyzed by the step S2. 304 detects a non-speech section for a predetermined frequency Fenv [Hz] that is not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 and performs power of the frequency Fenv in the non-speech section in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This is a reference power measuring device that measures the level. An arithmetic control circuit 305 obtains a ratio between the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303 and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a delay circuit for delaying the sound captured by the microphone 301. This is for compensating the processing time of the filter bank 302, the power measuring device 303, the reference power measuring device, and the arithmetic control circuit 305. 307 is a frequency for removing a warning sound
This is a filter corresponding to F1. 308 receives the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 based on the ratio obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 305 and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304, and Select whether to send the signal to the characteristic processing device 309, receive the signal passed through the filter 307, and send it to the audio characteristic processing device 309, or not receive the signal and send no signal. It is a selection circuit to be performed.

Reference numeral 309 denotes an audio characteristic processing device for changing the frequency and time characteristics of the signal transmitted from the selection circuit 308 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer wearing the hearing aid. The auditory characteristics of the wearer are input to the audio characteristic processing device 309 in advance. Reference numeral 311 denotes an amplifier for amplifying the signal whose characteristic has been changed by the audio characteristic processing device 309. Reference numeral 310 denotes a speech synthesizer for producing a synthesized sound based on the signal amplified by the amplifier 311. Reference numeral 501 denotes a vibrator for notifying the wearer of a warning sound based on the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303 by vibration.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The microphone 301 captures sound. Delay circuit 3
06 delays the sound captured by the microphone 301. The filter 307 attenuates the warning sound having the frequency F1 from the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306.

The sound captured by the microphone 301 is subjected to frequency analysis by the filter bank 302. Of the signals analyzed by the filter bank 302, the signal components in the band centered on the frequency of F1 are sent to the power measuring device 303, where the power level of the frequency F1 is measured. Further, of the signals analyzed by the filter bank 302, the signal components in the band centered on the frequency of Fenv are sent to the reference power measuring device 304, where the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section is measured. The arithmetic control circuit 305 obtains a ratio (F1 / Fenv) from the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303 and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304.

The ratio is a preset value (for example, 5.0)
If it is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that the sound captured by the microphone 301 includes a warning sound. In this case, the selection circuit 308 selects the signal that has passed through the filter 307,
It is sent to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

When the ratio is smaller than the set value and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the power measuring device 304 is a predetermined value (for example,
If it is smaller than 100 dBspl), it is determined that the environmental sounds other than the warning sound are not too loud and no warning sound exists. In this case, the selection circuit 308 selects the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 and outputs the selected sound to the sound characteristic processing device 3.
09.

If the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the power measuring device 304 is larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the noise included in the environmental sound is large regardless of the presence or absence of the warning sound. In this case, the selection circuit 308 also outputs the signal passing through the filter 307 to the delay circuit 3
Neither the sound delayed by 06 is selected nor is any signal sent to the audio characteristic processing unit 309.

The audio characteristic processing device 309 changes the frequency and time characteristics of the signal transmitted from the selection circuit 308 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer. The amplifier 311 amplifies the power level of the signal whose characteristic has been changed by the audio characteristic processing device 309. The voice synthesizer 310 receives the signal amplified by the amplifier 311 and generates a synthesized sound.

It may be desirable for the warning sound to be perceived by the wearer in some form, regardless of the loudness of the sound. Therefore, in the present embodiment, whether or not a warning sound is issued is detected based on the power level of frequency F1 measured by power measuring device 303. That is, if the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303 is higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that a warning sound is issued. In this case, by vibrating the vibrator 501, it is possible to notify the wearer that a warning sound is being emitted.

As described above, the hearing aid of the present embodiment is
The ratio obtained by the arithmetic and control circuit 305 and the frequency in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304
If the warning sound suddenly jumps into the environmental sound included in the input sound based on the power level of Fenv, processing such as attenuating the warning sound included in the input sound is possible, and excessive amplification This has an effect that an unpleasant sound such as a given warning sound is not added to the wearer.

Further, the hearing aid of the present embodiment can notify the wearer that the warning sound is being emitted.

In this embodiment, the vibrator 501 is used to notify the wearer that a warning sound is being emitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and visible light may be used.

In this embodiment, the operation control circuit 3
05 uses the power level at a predetermined frequency Fenv that is not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 as a reference for the ratio, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and a plurality of power levels that are not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 are used. May be used as the reference, a power level in a predetermined frequency band including all or a part of the warning sound having the frequency F1 may be used as the reference, or As in the embodiment, the sound taken in by the microphone 301 to which the frequency analysis is not applied may be used as the reference.

In the present embodiment, the reference power measuring device 304 determines a non-voice section before measuring the power level, and measures the power level in that section. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the power level may be measured without finding a non-voice section.

Further, in this embodiment, the sound taken in by the microphone 301 is analyzed using the filter bank 302. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The sound may be frequency-analyzed using a frequency analysis technique such as filter analysis.

In this embodiment, the operation control circuit 3
05 is the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303.
Although the ratio between the power level of the frequency Fenv and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304 has been described, the calculation control circuit 305 is not limited to this. The difference between the power level of the frequency F1 and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304 may be obtained. A fifth embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the warning sound in the present embodiment.
As shown in (b), it is assumed that the sound is a sound having a frequency of F1 [Hz] or a certain bandwidth around the frequency. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 301 denotes a microphone for capturing sound.
Reference numeral 302 denotes a filter bank for frequency-analyzing the sound captured by the microphone 301. Reference numeral 303 denotes a power measuring device that measures the power level of the frequency F1 analyzed by the filter bank 302. 304 detects a non-speech section for a predetermined frequency Fenv [Hz] not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and detects the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-speech section. This is a reference power measuring device for measuring. 305 is
This is an arithmetic control circuit for calculating a difference obtained by subtracting the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304 from the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303. Reference numeral 601 denotes a time measuring device for calculating the length of the duration when the difference is larger than a predetermined value.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a delay circuit for delaying the sound captured by the microphone 301. This is for compensating the processing time of the filter bank 302, the power measuring device 303, the reference power measuring device, and the arithmetic control circuit 305. 307 is a frequency for removing a warning sound
This is a filter corresponding to F1. 308 is a time measuring device 6
01 and the frequency Fe in the non-speech section measured by the reference power measuring device 304.
The sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 is received based on the nv power level, and the received sound is processed by the sound characteristic processing device 309.
, Or a signal that has passed through the filter 307 and that is sent to the audio characteristic processing device 309, or a signal that does not receive any signal and does not send a signal. .

Reference numeral 309 denotes an audio characteristic processing device for changing the frequency and time characteristics of the signal transmitted from the selection circuit 308 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer wearing the hearing aid. The auditory characteristics of the wearer are input to the audio characteristic processing device 309 in advance. Reference numeral 310 denotes a voice synthesizer for generating a synthesized sound based on the signal whose characteristics have been changed by the voice characteristic processing device 309. 311 is
This is an amplifier that amplifies the synthesized sound generated by the voice synthesizer 310.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The microphone 301 captures sound. Delay circuit 3
06 delays the sound captured by the microphone 301. The filter 307 attenuates the warning sound having the frequency F1 from the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306.

The sound captured by the microphone 301 is subjected to frequency analysis by the filter bank 302. Of the signals analyzed by the filter bank 302, the signal components in the band centered on the frequency of F1 are sent to the power measuring device 303, where the power level of the frequency F1 is measured. Further, of the signals analyzed by the filter bank 302, the signal components in the band centered on the frequency of Fenv are sent to the reference power measuring device 304, where the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section is measured. The arithmetic control circuit 305 calculates the power level of the frequency F1 measured by the power
The difference obtained by subtracting the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304 is obtained.
The time measuring device 601 obtains the length of the duration when the difference obtained by the arithmetic control circuit 305 is larger than a predetermined value.

If the length of the duration obtained by the time measuring device 601 is longer than a preset value, it is determined that the sound taken in by the microphone 301 includes a warning sound. In this case, the selection circuit 308 includes the filter 3
07, and selects the signal that has passed through to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

The length of the duration obtained by time measuring device 601 is longer than the set value, and the frequency in the non-voice section measured by power measuring device 304
If the power level of Fenv is lower than the predetermined value,
It is determined that the environmental sounds other than the warning sound are not so loud and that no warning sound exists. In this case, the selection circuit 308
Selects the sound delayed by the delay circuit 306 and sends it to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

When the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the power measuring device 304 is higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is much noise included in the environmental sound regardless of the presence or absence of the warning sound. In this case, the selection circuit 30
8, the signal passed through the filter 307 is
, And does not send any signal to the audio characteristic processing device 309.

The operation after the selection circuit 308 is the same as in the third embodiment shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the hearing aid of the present embodiment, the warning sound can be more reliably detected by using the two different features of the frequency structure and the duration of the warning sound. become.

In this embodiment, the operation control circuit 3
05 is the frequency F1 measured by the power measuring device 303.
And the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-speech interval measured by the reference power measuring device 304 is calculated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The arithmetic control circuit 305 measures the power level by the power measuring device 303. The ratio between the power level of the frequency F1 and the power level of the frequency Fenv in the non-voice section measured by the reference power measuring device 304 may be obtained.

In this embodiment, the time measuring device 60
1 uses a power level at a predetermined frequency Fenv that is not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 as a reference of the difference, but is not limited thereto, and a plurality of power levels that are not included in the warning sound having the frequency F1 are used. May be used as the reference, a power level in a predetermined frequency band including a warning sound having the frequency F1 may be used as the reference, and the same as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the sound taken in by the microphone 301 to which the frequency analysis is not applied may be used as the reference.

In the present embodiment, the reference power measuring device 304 calculates the power level in the non-voice section. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The power level may be measured without calculating the non-voice section. Good.

Also, in the present embodiment, the sound taken in by the microphone 301 is analyzed using the filter bank 302, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The sound may be frequency-analyzed using a frequency analysis technique such as filter analysis.

In the present embodiment, the time measuring device 60
If the length of the duration obtained in step 1 is longer than a preset value, it is determined that the sound taken in by the microphone 301 includes a warning sound, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the length of the duration obtained by the measuring device 601 is within a preset range, it may be determined that the sound taken in by the microphone 301 includes a warning sound.

A sixth embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes an A / D converter for converting an input sound from analog to digital. 702 is an A / D converter 7
This is a frequency characteristic calculator for calculating the spectral structure of the input sound converted by the step 01. Reference numeral 703 denotes a non-voice section detector for detecting a non-voice section from the A / D converted input sound. An arithmetic unit 704 removes the noise level of the environmental sound included in the spectrum structure based on the outputs of the frequency characteristic calculator 702 and the non-speech interval detector 703. Reference numeral 705 denotes a spectrum calculator for changing the frequency and time characteristics of the output of the calculator 704 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer wearing the hearing aid of the present embodiment. The hearing characteristics of the wearer are input to the spectrum calculator 705 in advance. Reference numeral 706 denotes a speech synthesizer for producing a synthesized sound based on the signal whose characteristics have been changed by the spectrum calculator 705.

Reference numeral 709 denotes a direction determining device for determining whether the front of the wearer is facing the direction of the sound.

Reference numeral 707 denotes an output switch for switching whether or not to transmit the synthesized sound produced by the speech synthesizer 706 to the amplifier 710 based on the judgment of the direction judging device 709. An amplifier 710 amplifies the synthesized sound transmitted from the output switch 707. Reference numeral 708 denotes a D / A converter that performs digital-to-analog conversion of the synthesized sound amplified by the amplifier 710 in order to output sound to the wearer.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The A / D converter 701 performs A / D conversion on the input sound and sends it to the frequency characteristic calculator 702 and the non-voice section detector 703. The frequency characteristic calculator 702 analyzes the frequency of the input sound A / D converted by the A / D converter 701 by filter analysis. The non-voice section detector 703 detects a non-voice section from the input sound converted by the A / D converter 701 by using a known technique of a short time zero crossing number in the same manner as in the first embodiment. . The arithmetic unit 704 calculates the frequency of the noise included in the input sound converted by the A / D converter 701 by using the spectrum subtraction method based on the signals transmitted from the frequency characteristic calculator 702 and the silent section detector 703. By estimating the spectrum,
The noise contained in the input sound is removed. The spectrum calculator 705 is operated by the calculator 70 according to the hearing characteristics of the wearer.
4 changes the frequency and time characteristics of the signal whose noise is suppressed. The speech synthesizer 706 receives the signal whose characteristics have been changed by the spectrum calculator 705, and receives the signal and a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) or LPC (Linear Pred
ictive Coding) is used to create a synthesized sound.

In parallel with the above processing, the direction determination device 70
No. 9 determines whether the front of the wearer is facing the direction of the sound. The hearing aid according to the present embodiment has a directional microphone separately from the omnidirectional microphone originally included in the hearing aid. When the hearing aid is worn, the directional microphone is mounted so as to hear the sound in front of the wearer. Direction determination device 70
9 determines whether or not the front of the wearer is facing the direction of the sound based on the sound captured by the omnidirectional microphone and the sound captured by the directional microphone.
That is, if the sound taken in by the directional microphone is substantially equal to the peak of the sound taken in by the non-directional microphone, it is determined that the front of the wearer is facing the direction of the sound. Further, the present invention is not limited to this method, and can also be realized by a method of obtaining a direction in which the power level of sound is maximized or a method of using a stereo microphone.

The output switch 707 is connected to the direction determination device 70
Based on the determination of No. 9, switching is performed as to whether or not to transmit the synthesized sound generated by the voice synthesizer 706 to the amplifier 710. The D / A converter 708 performs digital-to-analog conversion on the synthesized sound transmitted from the output switch 707 in order to output sound to the wearer.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the output sound can be controlled by detecting the predetermined information indicated by the wearer.

In the present embodiment, the output sound is controlled based on whether the front of the wearer is facing the direction of the sound. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The output sound may be controlled based on the opening and closing of the eyes.

By the way, the non-speech section of the present invention is not limited to a section that does not include any speech, but may be a section that includes speech that has not been removed by the threshold value as in the first embodiment. .

FIGS. 1 and 2 related to the above embodiment.
In 3, 5, 6, and 7, blocks of means (for example, earphones) for outputting sound to a hearing aid wearer are omitted. The means is included in the sound output means of the hearing aid of the present invention.

Further, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 relating to the above embodiment, the block of means for inputting sound (for example, a microphone) is omitted. The means is included in the sound input means of the hearing aid of the present invention.

[0113]

As is apparent from the above, according to the hearing aid of the present invention, the output of the hearing aid can be controlled in accordance with the noise included in the environmental sound.

Further, according to the present invention, by detecting a warning sound suddenly appearing in an environmental sound, the warning sound can be attenuated, and a hearing aid without amplifying such a sound can be provided. .

Further, the present invention has an effect that the output of the hearing aid can be controlled based on predetermined information indicated by the wearer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment according to a hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment according to a hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a frequency and time structure of a warning sound;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a fifth embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a sixth embodiment according to the hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional hearing aid

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 A / D converter 102 Non-voice section detector 103 Non-voice level detector 104 Input sound level detector 105 Operation control circuit 106 Voice characteristic processing unit 107 Voice synthesizer 108 Amplifier 109 D / A converter 201 output switch 301 microphone 302 filter bank 303 power measurement device 304 reference power measurement device 305 arithmetic control circuit 306 delay circuit 307 filter 308 selection circuit 309 audio characteristic processing device 310 Voice synthesizer 311 amplifier 501 oscillator 601 time measuring device 701 A / D converter 702 frequency calculator 703 non-voice section detector 704 arithmetic unit 705 spectral calculator 706 voice synthesizer 707 Output switch 708 D / A converter 709 Sound source direction determination device 710 Width unit

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. Sound input means for inputting sound, amplification means for amplifying the sound input by the sound input means, sound output means for outputting the sound amplified by the amplification means, and the sound input means A voiceless section information detecting means for detecting information about a voiceless section on the basis of the sound input by the voice input section; and a soundless section based on the sound input by the sound input means and the information on the voiceless section. Control means for changing the amplification factor of the amplifying means or opening and closing the output of the sound output by the sound output means based on the information about the sound input means. The amplification factor of the amplifying means is changed or the output of the sound output by the sound output means is opened or closed based on the ratio between the power level of the sound and the power level of the sound in the non-voice section. A hearing aid. 2. Sound input means for inputting sound, amplification means for amplifying the sound input by the sound input means, sound output means for outputting the sound amplified by the amplification means, and the sound input means A predetermined sound detection unit for detecting a sound having a predetermined frequency from the sound input by the CPU, and changing an amplification factor of the amplification unit based on the sound having the predetermined frequency or outputting the sound by the sound output unit. A hearing aid comprising: control means for opening and closing a sound output. 3. Sound input means for inputting sound, amplification means for amplifying the sound input by the sound input means, sound output means for outputting the sound amplified by the amplification means, and the sound input means A predetermined sound detection unit that detects a sound having a predetermined frequency from the sound input by the control unit; and, based on the sound having the predetermined frequency, between the sound input unit and the amplification unit or the amplification unit and the sound A hearing aid comprising: control means for controlling whether or not a filter for attenuating the sound having the predetermined frequency is interposed in one of the output means and the output means. 4. The hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the “based on the sound having the predetermined frequency” is based on a power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the “based on the sound having the predetermined frequency” is based on a period in which a power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency satisfies a predetermined value. 3. The hearing aid according to 3. 6. A reference sound detecting means for detecting a signal including at least a frequency different from the sound having the predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means, or detecting the signal in a non-voice section. Wherein, based on the sound having the predetermined frequency is based on a ratio between a power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency and a power level of a signal detected by the reference sound detecting means. The hearing aid according to claim 2 or 3, wherein 7. A reference sound detecting means for detecting a signal containing at least a frequency different from the sound having the predetermined frequency from the sound input by the sound input means, or detecting the signal in a non-voice section. The term “based on the sound having the predetermined frequency” refers to a period in which the ratio between the power level of the sound having the predetermined frequency and the power level of the signal detected by the reference sound detection unit satisfies a predetermined reference. The hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the hearing aid is based on: 8. A predetermined sound detection notifying means for notifying a wearer of the hearing aid of presence or absence of a sound having a predetermined frequency based on a sound having a predetermined frequency detected by the predetermined sound detecting means. Claims 2 and 3,
The hearing aid according to 4, 5, 6 or 7. 9. The hearing aid according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined sound detection notifying means notifies the wearer of the hearing aid of the presence or absence of the sound using vibration or visible light.