Method and apparatus for a binaural hearing assistance system using monaural audio signals
First Claim
1. A method for providing a sound to a listener having first and second ears, comprising:
- receiving a monaural input signal from a wireless device;
converting the monaural input signal into first and second output signals using a processor, the conversion including introducing one or more of an interaural phase difference or an interaural level difference between the first and second output signals; and
providing the sound to the listener to be perceived by the listener as a binaural sound having an interaural difference, including;
providing a first sound based on the first output signal to the first ear using a first speaker; and
providing a second sound based on the second output signal to the second ear using a second speaker.
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Abstract
The present application provides method and apparatus for a binaural hearing assistance system using a monaural audio signal input. The system, in various examples, provides adjustable delay/phase adjustment and sound level adjustment. Different embodiments are provided for receiving the monaural signal and distributing it to a plurality of hearing assistance devices. Different relaying modes are provided. Special functions are supported, such as telecoil functions. The system also has examples that account for a head-related transfer function in providing advanced sound processing for the wearer. Other examples are provided that are described in the detailed description.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing a sound to a listener having first and second ears, comprising:
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receiving a monaural input signal from a wireless device; converting the monaural input signal into first and second output signals using a processor, the conversion including introducing one or more of an interaural phase difference or an interaural level difference between the first and second output signals; and providing the sound to the listener to be perceived by the listener as a binaural sound having an interaural difference, including; providing a first sound based on the first output signal to the first ear using a first speaker; and providing a second sound based on the second output signal to the second ear using a second speaker. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for providing a sound to a listener having first and second ears, comprising:
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a processor configured to receive a monaural input signal and to convert the monaural input signal into first and second output signals with one or more of an interaural phase difference or an interaural level difference between the first and second output signals; and a pair of audio devices configured to providing the sound to the listener as a binaural sound having an interaural difference perceivable by the listener, the pair of audio devices including; a first speaker configured to provide a first sound to the first ear based on the first output signal; and a second speaker configured to provide a second sound to the second ear based on the second output signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for providing a sound to a listener having first and second ears, comprising:
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means for receiving a monaural input signal from a wireless device and converting the monaural input signal into first and second output signals with one or more of an interaural phase difference or an interaural level difference between the first and second output signals; and means for providing the sound to the listener to be perceived by the listener as a binaural sound having an interaural difference, including; means for providing a first sound based on the first output signal to the first ear using a first speaker; and means for providing a second sound based on the second output signal to the second ear using a second speaker. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification