DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Automatic Directional-gain Control for Binaural Hearing Aids using Geomagnetic Sensors

지자기 센서를 이용한 양이 보청기의 방향성 이득 조절 연구

  • Yang, Hyejin (Interdisciplinary Program of Medical & Biological Engineering, University of Ulsan) ;
  • An, Seonyoung (Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Jeong, Jaehyeon (Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Choi, Inyong (Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa) ;
  • Woo, Jihwan (Interdisciplinary Program of Medical & Biological Engineering, University of Ulsan)
  • 양혜진 (울산대학교 대학원 의용생체공학전공) ;
  • 안선영 (울산대학교 전기공학부 의공학전공) ;
  • 정재현 (울산대학교 전기공학부 의공학전공) ;
  • 최인용 (아이오와 대학교 언어청각학과) ;
  • 우지환 (울산대학교 대학원 의용생체공학전공)
  • Received : 2016.11.09
  • Accepted : 2016.12.30
  • Published : 2016.12.31

Abstract

Binaural hearing aids with a voice transmitter have been widely used to enhance sound quality in noisy environment. However, this system has a limitation on sound-source localization. In this study, we investigated automatic directional-gain control method using geomagnetic sensors to provide directional information to binaural hearing aid user. The loudness gains of two hearing aids were differently controlled based on the directional information between a speaker position and a viewing direction of hearing aids user. This relative directional information was measured by two geomagnetic sensors on hearing aids user and a speaker. The results showed that the loudness gains were accurately controlled and could provide directional information based on the cue of interaural level differences.

Keywords

References

  1. Levitt H, "Noise reduction in hearing aids: a review," J Rehabil Res Dev, vol. 38, no. 1 pp. 111-121, 2001.
  2. Ricketts TA, "Directional hearing AIDS," Trends Amplif, vol. 5, no. 4 pp. 139-176, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1177/108471380100500401
  3. Luts H, Maj JB, Soede W, and Wouters J, "Better speech perception in noise with an assistive multimicrophone array for hearing AIDS," Ear Hear, vol. 25, no. 5 pp. 411-420, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aud.0000145109.90767.ba
  4. Appleton J and Konig G, "Improvement in speech intelligibility and subjective benefit with binaural beamformer technology," Hearing Review, vol. 21, no. 10 pp. 40-42, 2014.
  5. Schreurs KK and Olsen WO, "Comparison of monaural and binaural hearing aid use on a trial period basis," Ear Hear, vol. 6, no. 4 pp. 198-202, 1985. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003446-198507000-00005
  6. Nabelek AK and Pickett JM, "Monaural and binaural speech perception through hearing aids under noise and reverberation with normal and hearing-impaired listeners," J Speech Hear Res, vol. 17, no. 4 pp. 724-739, 1974. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1704.724
  7. Ceulaer GD, Bestel J, Mulder HE, Goldbeck F, Varebeke SPJd, and Govaerts PJ, "Speech understanding in noise with the Roger Pen, Naida CI Q70 processor, and integrated Roger 17 receiver in a multi-talker network," Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, vol. 273, no. 5 pp. 1107-1114, 2015.
  8. Middlebrooks JC and Green DM, "Sound localization by human listeners," Annu Rev Psychol, vol. 42, pp. 135-159, 1991. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.42.020191.001031
  9. Yost WA, "Sound Localization and Binaural Hearing," in Fundamentals of Hearing: an introduction: Fifth Edition, ed: Academic Press, Elsevier, Inc., 2013.
  10. Perrott DR and Saberi K, "Minimum audible angle thresholds for sources varying in both elevation and azimuth," J Acoust Soc Am, vol. 87, no. 4 pp. 1728-1731, 1990. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.399421
  11. Grantham DW, Hornsby BWY, and Erpenbeck EA, "Auditory spatial resolution in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal planes," J Acoust Soc Am, vol. 114, no. 2 pp. 1009-1022, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1590970
  12. Van den Bogaert T, Klasen TJ, Moonen M, Van Deun L, and Wouters J, "Horizontal localization with bilateral hearing aids: without is better than with," J Acoust Soc Am, vol. 119, no. 1 pp. 515-526, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2139653
  13. Gebre-Egziabher D, Elkaim GH, Powel JD, and Parkinson BW, "Calibration of strapdown magnetometers in magnetic field domain," J Aerospace Eng, vol. 19, no. 2 pp. 87-102, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0893-1321(2006)19:2(87)
  14. Xisheng L, Ruiqing K, Xiongying S, and Guanghua Y, "Tilt-Induced-Error Compensation for 2-Axis Magnetic Compass with 2-Axis Accelerometer," in 2009 World Congress on Computer Science and Information Engineering, USA, 2009, pp. 122-125.