EP2648424A2 - Method for limiting the output level in hearing aids - Google Patents
Method for limiting the output level in hearing aids Download PDFInfo
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- EP2648424A2 EP2648424A2 EP13160298.9A EP13160298A EP2648424A2 EP 2648424 A2 EP2648424 A2 EP 2648424A2 EP 13160298 A EP13160298 A EP 13160298A EP 2648424 A2 EP2648424 A2 EP 2648424A2
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- channel
- specific
- level
- input
- compression characteristic
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/35—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using translation techniques
- H04R25/356—Amplitude, e.g. amplitude shift or compression
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2430/00—Signal processing covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
- H04R2430/03—Synergistic effects of band splitting and sub-band processing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for amplifying an input signal in a hearing device by predetermining a respective channel-specific compression characteristic in a plurality of spectrally separated processing channels of the hearing device, which defines a relationship between an input level and an output level in the respective processing channel of the hearing device, and amplifying a respective input signal portion of the hearing device in each processing channel as a function of a channel-specific operating compression characteristic.
- a hearing device here means any device which can be worn in or on the ear and causes a hearing, in particular a hearing aid, a headset, headphones and the like.
- Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired.
- different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE), e.g. Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC).
- BTE behind-the-ear hearing aids
- RIC hearing aid with external receiver
- ITE in-the-ear hearing aids
- ITE in-the-ear hearing aids
- ITE in-the-ear hearing aids
- ITE concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids
- the hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal.
- bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.
- Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer.
- the input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil.
- the output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized.
- the amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed.
- a signal processing unit 3 which is also integrated in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them.
- the output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal.
- the sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier.
- the power supply of the hearing device and in particular the signal processing unit 3 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5
- the performance of a hearing aid is determined in accordance with the standard (see IEC 60118-7: 2005) by the achievable output sound pressure level at an input level of 90 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level).
- the resulting so-called OSPL 90 playback curve must be optimally adjusted in order to avoid too loud output levels and excessive distortion of the output signal on the one hand and to preclude operation in the saturation range of the listener if the speech intelligibility is insufficient.
- Signal processing in digital hearing aids usually takes place in several (eg 48 or 64) channels. Each of these channels is assigned a specific frequency band. In each of the channels, an input signal component is then processed frequency-dependent or channel-specific.
- the level thresholds which are frequency-dependent or channel-specific are generally below a frequency-independent, d. H. broadband level threshold to which the broadband overall level of the output signal is related.
- the broadband output level limitation which is applied in the signal flow after the frequency-dependent or channel-specific level limitation, can also act.
- narrowband signals e.g., sinusoids
- wideband e.g., noise-like
- the level of a narrowband signal can be higher given the same loudness must be considered the level of a broadband signal.
- So z. For example, a sinewave signal at the frequency of 1 kHz with the level of 78 dB SPL is equally loud to a uniformly stimulating noise with the level of 60 dB SPL felt like this E. Zwicker, H. Fastl: “Psychoacoustics, Facts and Models", Springer (1999 ). This is in contrast to the above behavior for output level limiting by dynamic compression with fixed frequency dependent thresholds for the output level. Due to this limitation, the loudness of a broadband signal is then much higher than that of a narrowband signal.
- the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for amplifying an input signal in a hearing device, with which the natural hearing sense can be better taken into account.
- this object is achieved by a method for amplifying an input signal in a hearing device by predetermining a channel-specific compression characteristic in a plurality of spectrally separated processing channels of the hearing device, which defines a relationship between an input level and an output level in the respective processing channel of the hearing device, and amplifying a respective input signal component the hearing device in each processing channel in response to a channel-specific operating compression characteristic, setting a channel-specific input level threshold for each processing channel, setting the respective channel-specific operating compression characteristic according to the predetermined channel-specific compression characteristic below the channel-specific input level threshold and setting a respective course of the channel-specific operating compression characteristic with a Compression ratio gr êt 8 above the channel-specific input level threshold.
- the amplification of an input signal takes place channel-specifically in a plurality of processing channels, each corresponding to a frequency band.
- the compression is determined channel-specifically by a respective compression characteristic which depends on the input signal or the proportion of the input signal in the respective channel.
- This results in a gain of the input signal, which does not depend on the output level, but on the nature of the input signal.
- This signal-specific amplification can be realized, which rather takes the natural hearing sense into account.
- the input level of each channel-specific input signal component is determined with a time constant that is substantially greater than 250 ms. It is therefore a relatively long time constant, d. H. slow processing, which avoids signal distortions.
- a channel-specific output level limit for each processing channel can be specified, wherein the respective channel-specific compression characteristic does not fall below a fixed distance to the channel-specific output level limit.
- a distance to a predetermined output level limit has the advantage that the specific output level limit is not exceeded even if the input level is subject to a certain dynamics, in particular during a settling time.
- This fixed distance of the compression characteristic to the channel-specific output level limit should be at least 15 dB. This is therefore favorable, since speech signals have on average a dynamics of +/- 15 dB. The distance should therefore not fall below 15 dB.
- a frequency-independent overall level of the input signal components comprising all input signal components is measured, a time point is determined at which the measured overall level reaches a predefined overall level threshold value, for the time in each processing channel the respective channel-specific input signal level threshold is determined according to the current level of the respective input signal component (whereby the specification of the channel-specific input level threshold is developed), and the channel-specific operating compression characteristics in all the processing channels are set accordingly.
- the level limit is not signal-specific. Rather, it is thus established that an input signal with a high overall level (broadband) is present, and then the compression or limitation takes place very specifically as a function of the channel or of the frequency.
- the channel-specific operating compression characteristic can be kept unchanged as long as the measured total level is greater than or equal to the total level threshold. Thus, if the overall level of the input signal remains very high, a new compression curve need not be constantly determined.
- each channel-specific operating compression characteristic may correspond to the respective given channel-specific compression characteristic when the measured overall level is below the overall level threshold. At low overall levels of the input signal, therefore, the predetermined compression characteristic in the respective channel can be used without having to determine these as a function of the input signal or input signal component.
- a minimum level value can be specified for each channel-specific input level threshold. This may then have advantages when narrowband input signals available. In this case, the level limitation or strong compression is not already at very low input levels.
- an input signal is typically split by an analysis filter bank into a plurality of input signal components, and the input signal components are processed in a frequency-specific manner in a plurality of channels. There is thus a specific amplification in each channel.
- the individual channels are brought together in a synthesis filter bank, which finally results in a broadband output signal.
- the proposed solution according to the invention relates to an input-side or input-dependent limitation of the gain to reduce the distortion in loud broadband Input signals.
- the limitation of the gain is determined by a compression characteristic 10 according to FIG FIG. 2 achieved specifically for each channel.
- the compression characteristic 10 is frequency-dependent and thus channel-specific. From the compression characteristic curve 10 in the input-output level diagram, the output level L A of the hearing device results as a function of the input level L E at the input of the hearing device.
- the output level L A corresponds to the input level L E.
- the compression ratio is 1.
- the vertical distance from the bisector 11 to the compression curve 10 corresponds to the level-specific gain caused by the compression curve 10.
- a frequency-dependent or channel-specific input level threshold L S is additionally specified for each channel.
- Such a channel-specific input level threshold L S divides the operating compression characteristic curve 10 actually used in operation into two halves.
- the operating compression characteristic 10 corresponds to a predetermined compression characteristic.
- the operating compression characteristic curve 10 deviates from the predetermined characteristic curve 12 (dotted line in FIG. 2 ). It continues here horizontally steadily. This corresponds to an infinitely high compression ratio.
- the present invention it is sufficient if the operating-compression characteristic above the channel-specific or frequency-dependent input level threshold with very low slope, namely with a compression ratio of more than 8.
- a frequency-dependent output level limit L G is shown. It indicates an output level that should not be exceeded at any input level.
- the output sound pressure generated by the hearing device or the hearing aid should be at least 15 dB below the channel-specific or frequency-dependent output level limit value L G in accordance with the operating compression characteristic curve 10. This is because the language has an average dynamic range of 30 dB (+/- 15dB). Since the measurement of the input level is, for example, in the range of 1 ms, the operating point is fixed only after a certain time. This transient time can cause significant distortion if the level is not limited.
- the vertical distance d of the operating compression curve 10 corresponds to the mid perpendicular 11 of the actual applied gain at the respective input level L E. At low input levels there is typically a higher gain than at higher input levels. At very high input levels it is even attenuated.
- operating compression curve 10 is channel-specific or frequency-dependent and applies here for the frequency f 1 .
- the respective compression characteristic may have a different course.
- the channel-specific input level threshold L S does not have to be permanently set or predetermined. Rather, it can also be calculated as a function of a broadband input sound pressure level (ie the frequency-independent total input level). For this purpose, for example, in each channel, the input level of the respective input signal component exactly sampled if the associated frequency-independent or broadband total input level is a predetermined frequency-independent level threshold (eg 15 dB below the output level limit value L G ). It is the break point 13 of the operating compression curve 10 dynamically determined. Accordingly, the break point 13 and the associated input level threshold L S may be low in some of the processing channels and higher in others.
- the effect of the dynamic determination of the channel-specific input level threshold L S as a function of the total input level can be determined on the basis of 3 and 4 be explained.
- the 3 and 4 represent spectral power densities l at the output 14, 15 and at the input 16, 17, respectively.
- FIG. 3 applies to a broadband signal BB (eg broadband noise) while FIG. 4 for a narrowband signal SB (eg sinusoidal tone).
- Both signals have added the same broadband total input level over all channels, ie the area under the dashed curve 16 corresponds to the area under the dashed curve 17.
- This total input level corresponds to the sum of the individual levels and represents the total energy of the input signal. For example, it is measured at a total input level of 90 dB.
- FIG. 2 can be seen schematically as a section through the 3 and 4 be considered at the frequency f 1 .
- the distance d 'between the input 17 and the output 15 results at the frequency f 1 .
- FIG. 3 Is in accordance with a broadband input signal BB FIG. 3 reaches the threshold for the total input level, the levels of the individual channels according to curve 16 are at a medium level and it is in accordance with FIG. 2 applied a corresponding average gain.
- the energy increase between the input signal and the output signal represents the area between the curves 14 and 16.
- the threshold for the total input level is reached when the levels around the frequency f 2 are very high, while the levels outside this maximum are relatively low. Accordingly, the level maximum at the frequency f 2 is less amplified than outside this maximum at the lower level frequencies.
- the total energy increase results again from the area between the curves 15 and 17. Since the narrow-band signal predominantly low levels, resulting over a large part of the spectrum, a greater gain than the broadband signal BB, so that the area between the curves 15th and 17 is larger than the area between the curves 14 and 16. However, this means that the overall input level of a narrowband signal is amplified more than the total input level of a wideband signal. Thus, the natural hearing is exploited, because it is a narrow-band signal amplified more than a broadband, the narrow-band amplified signal is then perceived no louder than the broadband amplified signal.
- the input-side boundary is independent of the spectral distribution of the signal.
- different frequency-dependent input level thresholds L S are determined, which are dependent on the current spectral distribution of the signal.
Abstract
Description
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Verstärken eines Eingangssignals in einer Hörvorrichtung durch Vorgeben je einer kanalspezifischen Kompressionskennlinie in mehreren spektral getrennten Verarbeitungskanälen der Hörvorrichtung, die einen Zusammenhang zwischen einem Eingangspegel und einem Ausgangspegel im jeweiligen Verarbeitungskanal der Hörvorrichtung definiert, und Verstärken eines jeweiligen Eingangssignalanteils der Hörvorrichtung in jedem Verarbeitungskanal in Abhängigkeit von einer kanalspezifischen Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie. Unter einer Hörvorrichtung wird hier jedes im oder am Ohr tragbare, einen Hörreiz verursachende Gerät verstanden, insbesondere ein Hörgerät, ein Headset, Kopfhörer und dergleichen.The present invention relates to a method for amplifying an input signal in a hearing device by predetermining a respective channel-specific compression characteristic in a plurality of spectrally separated processing channels of the hearing device, which defines a relationship between an input level and an output level in the respective processing channel of the hearing device, and amplifying a respective input signal portion of the hearing device in each processing channel as a function of a channel-specific operating compression characteristic. A hearing device here means any device which can be worn in or on the ear and causes a hearing, in particular a hearing aid, a headset, headphones and the like.
Hörgeräte sind tragbare Hörvorrichtungen, die zur Versorgung von Schwerhörenden dienen. Um den zahlreichen individuellen Bedürfnissen entgegenzukommen, werden unterschiedliche Bauformen von Hörgeräten wie Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (HdO), Hörgerät mit externem Hörer (RIC: receiver in the canal) und In-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (IdO), z.B. auch Concha-Hörgeräte oder Kanal-Hörgeräte (ITE, CIC), bereitgestellt. Die beispielhaft aufgeführten Hörgeräte werden am Außenohr oder im Gehörgang getragen. Darüber hinaus stehen auf dem Markt aber auch Knochenleitungshörhilfen, implantierbare oder vibrotaktile Hörhilfen zur Verfügung. Dabei erfolgt die Stimulation des geschädigten Gehörs entweder mechanisch oder elektrisch.Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE), e.g. Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC). The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.
Hörgeräte besitzen prinzipiell als wesentliche Komponenten einen Eingangswandler, einen Verstärker und einen Ausgangswandler. Der Eingangswandler ist in der Regel ein Schallempfänger, z. B. ein Mikrofon, und/oder ein elektromagnetischer Empfänger, z. B. eine Induktionsspule. Der Ausgangswandler ist meist als elektroakustischer Wandler, z. B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z. B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Der Verstärker ist üblicherweise in eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit integriert. Dieser prinzipielle Aufbau ist in
Die Leistungsfähigkeit eines Hörgeräts wird normgemäß (vergleiche IEC 60118-7:2005) durch den erzielbaren Ausgangsschalldruckpegel bei einem Eingangspegel von 90 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level) bestimmt. Die daraus resultierende so genannte OSPL 90-Wiedergabekurve muss optimal eingestellt werden, um einerseits zu laute Ausgangspegel und zu starke Verzerrungen des Ausgangssignals zu vermeiden und andererseits einen Betrieb im Sättigungsbereich des Hörers bei nicht ausreichender Sprachverständlichkeit auszuschließen.The performance of a hearing aid is determined in accordance with the standard (see IEC 60118-7: 2005) by the achievable output sound pressure level at an input level of 90 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level). The resulting so-called OSPL 90 playback curve must be optimally adjusted in order to avoid too loud output levels and excessive distortion of the output signal on the one hand and to preclude operation in the saturation range of the listener if the speech intelligibility is insufficient.
Im Allgemeinen stehen zwei Verfahren zur Begrenzung des maximalen Ausgangsschalldruckpegels zur Verfügung, wie dies in
Allen Verfahren gemeinsam ist der Vergleich des Ausgangsschalldruckpegels mit einer bestimmten Pegelschwelle. Die jeweiligen Begrenzungsalgorithmen werden dann bei Überschreiten dieser Pegelschwelle wirksam. Für die Begrenzung durch ausgangspegelgesteuerte Dynamikkompression kann sowohl eine frequenzabhängige als auch frequenzunabhängige Pegelschwelle vorgegeben werden. Mit der geeigneten Wahl frequenzabhängiger Pegelschwellen wird der erzielbare maximale Ausgangsschalldruckpegel in einzelnen Frequenzbereichen optimiert.Common to all methods is the comparison of the output sound pressure level with a certain level threshold. The respective limiting algorithms then become effective when this level threshold is exceeded. For the limitation by output level controlled dynamic compression both a frequency-dependent and frequency-independent threshold level can be specified. With the appropriate choice of frequency-dependent level thresholds, the achievable maximum output sound pressure level in individual frequency ranges is optimized.
Die Signalverarbeitung in digitalen Hörgeräten erfolgt üblicherweise in mehreren (z. B. 48 oder 64) Kanälen. Jedem dieser Kanäle ist ein bestimmtes Frequenzband zugeordnet. In jedem der Kanäle wird dann ein Eingangssignalanteil frequenzabhängig bzw. kanalspezifisch verarbeitet.Signal processing in digital hearing aids usually takes place in several (eg 48 or 64) channels. Each of these channels is assigned a specific frequency band. In each of the channels, an input signal component is then processed frequency-dependent or channel-specific.
Die für die Begrenzung frequenzabhängigen bzw. kanalspezifischen (auf die Frequenzbänder der jeweiligen Kanalsignalverarbeitung umgerechneten) Pegelschwellen liegen im Allgemeinen unterhalb einer frequenzunabhängigen, d. h. breitbandigen Pegelschwelle, auf die der breitbandige Gesamtpegel des Ausgangssignals bezogen wird. Neben der kanalspezifischen Ausgangspegelbegrenzung kann auch die breitbandige Ausgangspegelbegrenzung wirken, die im Signalfluss nach der frequenzabhängigen bzw. kanalspezifischen Pegelbegrenzung appliziert wird. Als Folge davon werden jedoch schmalbandige Signale (z. B. Sinustöne) bei einem niedrigeren Breitbandpegel begrenzt als breitbandige (z. B. rauschartige) Signale. Dies führt dazu, dass lediglich die frequenzunabhängige Pegelschwelle für sehr laute breitbandige Eingangssignale wirksam wird. Die damit verbundenen Verzerrungen sind bei lauten Signalen sehr störend.The level thresholds which are frequency-dependent or channel-specific (converted to the frequency bands of the respective channel signal processing) are generally below a frequency-independent, d. H. broadband level threshold to which the broadband overall level of the output signal is related. In addition to the channel-specific output level limitation, the broadband output level limitation, which is applied in the signal flow after the frequency-dependent or channel-specific level limitation, can also act. As a result, however, narrowband signals (e.g., sinusoids) are limited at a lower broadband level than wideband (eg, noise-like) signals. As a result, only the frequency-independent level threshold becomes effective for very loud broadband input signals. The associated distortions are very annoying with loud signals.
Weiterhin ist bekannt, dass unter der Voraussetzung gleicher Lautheit der Pegel eines schmalbandigen Signals höher sein muss als der Pegel eines breitbandigen Signals. So wird z. B. ein Sinussignal bei der Frequenz 1 kHz mit dem Pegel 78 dB SPL gleich laut zu einem gleichmäßig anregenden Rauschen mit dem Pegel von 60 dB SPL empfunden, wie dies aus
Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht somit darin, ein Verfahren zum Verstärken eines Eingangssignals in einer Hörvorrichtung bereitzustellen, mit dem dem natürlichen Hörempfinden besser Rechnung getragen werden kann.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for amplifying an input signal in a hearing device, with which the natural hearing sense can be better taken into account.
Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe gelöst durch ein Verfahren zum Verstärken eines Eingangssignals in einer Hörvorrichtung durch Vorgeben je einer kanalspezifischen Kompressionskennlinie in mehreren spektral getrennten Verarbeitungskanälen der Hörvorrichtung, die einen Zusammenhang zwischen einem Eingangspegel und einem Ausgangspegel im jeweiligen Verarbeitungskanal der Hörvorrichtung definiert, und Verstärken eines jeweiligen Eingangssignalanteils der Hörvorrichtung in jedem Verarbeitungskanal in Abhängigkeit von einer kanalspezifischen Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie, Vorgeben einer kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle für jeden Verarbeitungskanal, Festlegen der jeweiligen kanalspezifischen Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie entsprechend der vorgegebenen kanalspezifischen Kompressionskennlinie unterhalb der kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle und Festlegen eines jeweiligen Verlaufs der kanalspezifischen Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie mit einem Kompressionsverhältnis größer 8 oberhalb der kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for amplifying an input signal in a hearing device by predetermining a channel-specific compression characteristic in a plurality of spectrally separated processing channels of the hearing device, which defines a relationship between an input level and an output level in the respective processing channel of the hearing device, and amplifying a respective input signal component the hearing device in each processing channel in response to a channel-specific operating compression characteristic, setting a channel-specific input level threshold for each processing channel, setting the respective channel-specific operating compression characteristic according to the predetermined channel-specific compression characteristic below the channel-specific input level threshold and setting a respective course of the channel-specific operating compression characteristic with a Compression ratio gr öß 8 above the channel-specific input level threshold.
In vorteilhafter Weise erfolgt also das Verstärken eines Eingangssignals kanalspezifisch in mehreren Verarbeitungskanälen, die jeweils einem Frequenzband entsprechen. Dabei wird die Kompression kanalspezifisch durch jeweils eine Kompressionskennlinie festgelegt, die von dem Eingangssignal bzw. dem Anteil des Eingangssignals im jeweiligen Kanal abhängt. Damit ergibt sich also eine Verstärkung des Eingangssignals, die nicht fest von dem Ausgangspegel abhängt, sondern von der Natur des Eingangssignals. Damit kann eine signalspezifische Verstärkung realisiert werden, was dem natürlichen Hörempfinden eher Rechnung trägt.Advantageously, therefore, the amplification of an input signal takes place channel-specifically in a plurality of processing channels, each corresponding to a frequency band. In this case, the compression is determined channel-specifically by a respective compression characteristic which depends on the input signal or the proportion of the input signal in the respective channel. Thus, this results in a gain of the input signal, which does not depend on the output level, but on the nature of the input signal. This signal-specific amplification can be realized, which rather takes the natural hearing sense into account.
Vorzugsweise wird der Eingangspegel jedes kanalspezifischen Eingangssignalanteils mit einer Zeitkonstante ermittelt, die wesentlich größer als 250 ms ist. Es liegt damit eine verhältnismäßig lange Zeitkonstante, d. h. eine langsame Verarbeitung vor, wodurch Signalverzerrungen vermieden werden.Preferably, the input level of each channel-specific input signal component is determined with a time constant that is substantially greater than 250 ms. It is therefore a relatively long time constant, d. H. slow processing, which avoids signal distortions.
Darüber hinaus kann ein kanalspezifischer Ausgangspegelgrenzwert für jeden Verarbeitungskanal vorgegeben werden, wobei die jeweilige kanalspezifische Kompressionskennlinie einen festen Abstand zu dem kanalspezifischen Ausgangspegelgrenzwert nicht unterschreitet. Ein solcher Abstand zu einer vorgegebenen Ausgangspegelgrenze hat den Vorteil, dass die bestimmte Ausgangspegelgrenze auch dann nicht überschritten wird, wenn der Eingangspegel insbesondere während einer Einschwingzeit einer gewissen Dynamik unterliegt.In addition, a channel-specific output level limit for each processing channel can be specified, wherein the respective channel-specific compression characteristic does not fall below a fixed distance to the channel-specific output level limit. Such a distance to a predetermined output level limit has the advantage that the specific output level limit is not exceeded even if the input level is subject to a certain dynamics, in particular during a settling time.
Dieser feste Abstand der Kompressionskennlinie zu dem kanalspezifischen Ausgangspegelgrenzwert sollte mindestens 15 dB betragen. Dies ist daher günstig, da Sprachsignale im Mittel eine Dynamik von +/-15 dB besitzen. Der Abstand sollte daher 15 dB nicht unterschreiten.This fixed distance of the compression characteristic to the channel-specific output level limit should be at least 15 dB. This is therefore favorable, since speech signals have on average a dynamics of +/- 15 dB. The distance should therefore not fall below 15 dB.
Gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform wird ein frequenzunabhängiger Gesamtpegel des alle Eingangssignalanteile umfassenden Eingangssignals gemessen, ein Zeitpunkt ermittelt, zu dem der gemessene Gesamtpegel einen vorgegebenen Gesamtpegelschwellwert erreicht, für den Zeitpunkt in jedem Verarbeitungskanal die jeweilige kanalspezifische Eingangspegelschwelle entsprechend dem momentanen Pegel des jeweiligen Eingangssignalanteils festgelegt (wodurch das Vorgeben der kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle weitergebildet ist), und es werden die kanalspezifischen Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinien in allen Verarbeitungskanälen dementsprechend festgelegt. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass bei höheren Eingangspegeln die Pegelbegrenzung nicht signalunspezifisch erfolgt. Vielmehr wird also festgestellt, dass ein Eingangssignal mit hohem Gesamtpegel (breitbandig) vorliegt, und anschließend erfolgt die Kompression bzw. Begrenzung sehr spezifisch in Abhängigkeit vom Kanal bzw. von der Frequenz.According to a further embodiment, a frequency-independent overall level of the input signal components comprising all input signal components is measured, a time point is determined at which the measured overall level reaches a predefined overall level threshold value, for the time in each processing channel the respective channel-specific input signal level threshold is determined according to the current level of the respective input signal component (whereby the specification of the channel-specific input level threshold is developed), and the channel-specific operating compression characteristics in all the processing channels are set accordingly. This has the advantage that at higher input levels, the level limit is not signal-specific. Rather, it is thus established that an input signal with a high overall level (broadband) is present, and then the compression or limitation takes place very specifically as a function of the channel or of the frequency.
Hierbei kann die kanalspezifische Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie so lange unverändert beibehalten werden, wie der gemessene Gesamtpegel größer oder gleich dem Gesamtpegelschwellwert ist. Wenn also der Gesamtpegel des Eingangssignals sehr hoch bleibt, muss nicht ständig eine neue Kompressionskennlinie bestimmt werden.Here, the channel-specific operating compression characteristic can be kept unchanged as long as the measured total level is greater than or equal to the total level threshold. Thus, if the overall level of the input signal remains very high, a new compression curve need not be constantly determined.
Darüber hinaus kann jede kanalspezifische Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie der jeweiligen vorgegebenen kanalspezifischen Kompressionskennlinie entsprechen, wenn der gemessene Gesamtpegel unter dem Gesamtpegelschwellwert liegt. Bei niedrigen Gesamtpegeln des Eingangssignals kann also die vorgegebene Kompressionskennlinie im jeweiligen Kanal verwendet werden, ohne diese in Abhängigkeit von dem Eingangssignal bzw. Eingangssignalanteil ermitteln zu müssen.In addition, each channel-specific operating compression characteristic may correspond to the respective given channel-specific compression characteristic when the measured overall level is below the overall level threshold. At low overall levels of the input signal, therefore, the predetermined compression characteristic in the respective channel can be used without having to determine these as a function of the input signal or input signal component.
Darüber hinaus ist es günstig, wenn in jedem Verarbeitungskanal die Kompression in einem Pegelintervall unmittelbar unterhalb der jeweiligen kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle nahe 1 liegt. Dies hat den Vorteil einer natürlichen Dynamik des Ausgangssignals im Bereich der frequenzabhängigen bzw. kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle.In addition, it is favorable if, in each processing channel, the compression is close to 1 in a level interval immediately below the respective channel-specific input level threshold. This has the advantage of natural dynamics of the output signal in the range of the frequency-dependent or channel-specific input level threshold.
Ferner kann für jede kanalspezifische Eingangspegelschwelle ein minimaler Pegelwert vorgegeben werden. Dies hat unter Umständen dann Vorteile, wenn schmalbandige Eingangssignale vorliegen. In diesem Fall erfolgt die Pegelbegrenzung bzw. starke Kompression nicht bereits bei sehr kleinen Eingangspegeln.Furthermore, a minimum level value can be specified for each channel-specific input level threshold. This may then have advantages when narrowband input signals available. In this case, the level limitation or strong compression is not already at very low input levels.
Die vorliegende Erfindung wird nun anhand der beigefügten Zeichnungen näher erläutert, in denen zeigen:
- FIG 1
- den schematischen Aufbau einer Hörvorrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
- FIG 2
- ein Eingangs-Ausgangs-Pegeldiagramm mit einer Verstärkungsbegrenzung oberhalb einer frequenzabhängigen Eingangspegelschwelle;
- FIG 3
- spektrale Leistungsdichten am Eingang und Ausgang bei einem breitbandigen Signal; und
- FIG 4
- spektrale Leistungsdichten am Eingang und Ausgang bei identischem breitbandigen Eingangspegel wie in
FIG 3 jedoch einem schmalbandigen Signal.
- FIG. 1
- the schematic structure of a hearing device according to the prior art;
- FIG. 2
- an input-output level diagram with a gain limit above a frequency-dependent input level threshold;
- FIG. 3
- Spectral power densities at the input and output at a broadband signal; and
- FIG. 4
- spectral power densities at input and output at identical broadband input level as in
FIG. 3 but a narrowband signal.
Die nachfolgend näher geschilderten Ausführungsformen stellen bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiele der vorliegenden Erfindung dar.The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.
In einer Hörvorrichtung und insbesondere in einem Hörgerät wird ein Eingangssignal typischerweise durch eine Analysefilterbank in mehrere Eingangssignalanteile zerlegt, und die Eingangssignalanteile werden in mehreren Kanälen frequenzspezifisch weiterverarbeitet. Es erfolgt also in jedem Kanal eine spezifische Verstärkung. Am Ende der kanalspezifischen Verarbeitung werden die einzelnen Kanäle in einer Synthesefilterbank zusammengeführt, woraus schließlich ein breitbandiges Ausgangssignal resultiert.In a hearing device and in particular in a hearing aid, an input signal is typically split by an analysis filter bank into a plurality of input signal components, and the input signal components are processed in a frequency-specific manner in a plurality of channels. There is thus a specific amplification in each channel. At the end of the channel-specific processing, the individual channels are brought together in a synthesis filter bank, which finally results in a broadband output signal.
Die erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagene Lösung bezieht sich auf eine eingangsseitige bzw. eingangsabhängige Begrenzung der Verstärkung zur Reduktion der Verzerrungen bei lauten breitbandigen Eingangssignalen. Die Begrenzung der Verstärkung wird durch eine Kompressionskennlinie 10 gemäß
Auf der Winkelhalbierenden 11 des Eingangs-Ausgangs-Pegeldiagramms entspricht der Ausgangspegel LA dem Eingangspegel LE. Auf der Winkelhalbierenden 11 erfolgt also keine Verstärkung und das Kompressionsverhältnis beträgt 1. Der vertikale Abstand von der Winkelhalbierenden 11 zu der Kompressionskennlinie 10 entspricht der pegelspezifischen Verstärkung, die durch die Kompressionskennlinie 10 verursacht wird.On the
Um nun die eingangsseitige Begrenzung der Verstärkung zu realisieren, wird für jeden Kanal zusätzlich eine frequenzabhängige bzw. kanalspezifische Eingangspegelschwelle LS vorgegeben. Eine solche kanalspezifische Eingangspegelschwelle LS teilt die tatsächlich im Betrieb verwendete Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie 10 in zwei Hälften. Unterhalb der Eingangspegelschwelle LS entspricht die Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie 10 einer vorgegebenen Kompressionskennlinie. Oberhalb der Eingangspegelschwelle LS weicht die Betriebskompressionskennlinie 10 von der vorgegebenen Kennlinie 12 (gepunktete Linie in
In
Wie bereits angedeutet wurde, entspricht der vertikale Abstand d der Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie 10 von der Mittelsenkrechten 11 der tatsächlich applizierten Verstärkung beim jeweiligen Eingangspegel LE. Bei niedrigen Eingangspegeln erfolgt typischerweise eine höhere Verstärkung als bei höheren Eingangspegeln. Bei sehr hohen Eingangspegeln wird sogar gedämpft.As already indicated, the vertical distance d of the operating
Die in
Die kanalspezifische Eingangspegelschwelle LS muss nicht fest eingestellt bzw. vorgegeben sein. Vielmehr kann sie auch in Abhängigkeit eines breitbandigen Eingangsschalldruckpegels (d. h. des frequenzunabhängigen Gesamteingangspegels) berechnet werden. Dazu wird beispielsweise in jedem Kanal der Eingangspegel des jeweiligen Eingangssignalanteils genau dann abgetastet, wenn der zugehörige frequenzunabhängige bzw. breitbandige Gesamteingangspegel eine vorgegebene frequenzunabhängige Pegelschwelle (z. B. 15 dB unter dem Ausgangspegelgrenzwert LG) liegt. Es wird dabei der Knickpunkt 13 der Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie 10 dynamisch bestimmt. Demnach kann der Knickpunkt 13 bzw. die dazugehörige Eingangspegelschwelle LS in einigen der Verarbeitungskanäle niedrig liegen und in anderen höher liegen.The channel-specific input level threshold L S does not have to be permanently set or predetermined. Rather, it can also be calculated as a function of a broadband input sound pressure level (ie the frequency-independent total input level). For this purpose, for example, in each channel, the input level of the respective input signal component exactly sampled if the associated frequency-independent or broadband total input level is a predetermined frequency-independent level threshold (eg 15 dB below the output level limit value L G ). It is the
Die Auswirkung der dynamischen Festlegung der kanalspezifischen Eingangspegelschwelle LS in Abhängigkeit vom Gesamteingangspegel kann anhand der
Die
Bei einem breitbandigen Rauschen gemäß
Besitzt das Eingangssignal jedoch gemäß
Wird bei einem breitbandigen Eingangssignal BB gemäß
Bei dem schmalbandigen Signal SB wird der Schwellwert für den Gesamteingangspegel erreicht, wenn die Pegel um die Frequenz f2 sehr hoch sind, während die Pegel außerhalb dieses Maximums verhältnismäßig niedrig sind. Dementsprechend wird um das Pegelmaximum bei der Frequenz f2 weniger verstärkt als außerhalb dieses Maximums bei den Frequenzen mit niedrigerem Pegel. Der gesamte Energiezuwachs ergibt sich wieder aus der Fläche zwischen den Kurven 15 und 17. Da bei dem schmalbandigem Signal vorwiegend niedrige Pegel vorliegen, ergibt sich über einen Großteil des Spektrums eine größere Verstärkung als bei dem breitbandigen Signal BB, sodass die Fläche zwischen den Kurven 15 und 17 größer ist als die Fläche zwischen den Kurven 14 und 16. Dies aber bedeutet, dass der Gesamteingangspegel eines schmalbandigen Signals mehr verstärkt wird als der Gesamteingangspegel eines breitbandigen Signals. Damit wird das natürliche Hörempfinden ausgenutzt, denn es wird ein schmalbandiges Signal mehr verstärkt als ein breitbandiges, wobei das schmalbandige verstärkte Signal dann auch nicht lauter empfunden wird als das breitbandige verstärkte Signal.In the narrowband signal SB, the threshold for the total input level is reached when the levels around the frequency f 2 are very high, while the levels outside this maximum are relatively low. Accordingly, the level maximum at the frequency f 2 is less amplified than outside this maximum at the lower level frequencies. The total energy increase results again from the area between the
Bei der Verwendung langsamer Kompressionszeitkonstanten ergeben sich somit für den Fall der hohen Kompressionsverhältnisse oberhalb der Eingangspegelschwellen LS vernachlässigbare Signalverzerrungen. Nach Überschreiten der Eingangspegelschwellen verhindert ein ausreichend dimensionierter Abstand der resultierenden Ausgangspegel zu den frequenzabhängigen Ausgangspegelgrenzwerten LG eine Verzerrung sehr lauter Sprachsignale. Nur in einer dynamischen Betrachtung kommt es kurzzeitig während der Einschwingzeit zu Verzerrungen.When using slower compression time constants thus obtained for the case of the high compression ratios above the input threshold levels L S negligible signal distortion. After exceeding the input level thresholds, a sufficiently large distance between the resulting output levels and the frequency-dependent output level limit values L G prevents distortion of very loud speech signals. Only in a dynamic view, it will be distorted for a short time during the settling time.
Durch die Verwendung einer frequenzunabhängigen Gesamteingangspegelschwelle erfolgt die eingangsseitige Begrenzung unabhängig von der spektralen Verteilung des Signals. Es werden jedoch unterschiedliche frequenzabhängige Eingangspegelschwellen LS ermittelt, die von der aktuellen spektralen Verteilung des Signals abhängig sind.By using a frequency-independent total input level threshold, the input-side boundary is independent of the spectral distribution of the signal. However, different frequency-dependent input level thresholds L S are determined, which are dependent on the current spectral distribution of the signal.
Gemäß einer Weiterbildung werden in einem definierten Eingangspegelintervall 18 unmittelbar unterhalb der frequenzabhängigen Eingangspegelschwelle LS nur Kompressionsverhältnisse nahe 1 verwendet. Die applizierten Verstärkungsfaktoren sind damit in diesem Intervall pegelunabhängig (gleicher Abstand der Betriebs-Kompressionskennlinie 10 zu der Mittelsenkrechten 11). Darüber hinaus sollte die Verstärkung in diesem Bereich deutlich abgeschwächt im Vergleich zu den statisch eingestellten Verstärkungsfaktoren bei sehr niedrigen Pegeln sein. Dadurch ergibt sich in Summe, wie oben dargestellt wurde, trotz der identischen breitbandigen Gesamteingangspegelschwelle (=Gesamtpegelschwellwert) ein höherer Ausgangsschalldruckpegel für schmalbandige Signale als für breitbandige Signale. Die Lautheit der dadurch begrenzten Ausgangssignale ist somit deutlich besser den psychoakustischen Randbedingungen angeglichen.According to a development, only compression ratios near 1 are used in a defined
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US8213653B2 (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2012-07-03 | Phonak Ag | Hearing device |
DE102010022632A1 (en) * | 2010-06-04 | 2011-08-18 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. | Method for adjusting curve of output signal level for output signal produced by hearing aid apparatus, involves increasing output signal level only in region of input signal level when maximum output signal level is not reached |
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DILLON H.: "Hearing aids", 2001, BOOMERANG PRESS |
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