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, the method comprising:
- receiving a monaural information signal;
converting the monaural information signal into first and second output signals using a processor, including introducing a phase difference between the first and second output signals;
receiving a control signal;
adjusting the phase difference using the control signal; 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.
359 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing a sound to a listener having first and second ears, the method comprising:
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receiving a monaural information signal; converting the monaural information signal into first and second output signals using a processor, including introducing a phase difference between the first and second output signals; receiving a control signal; adjusting the phase difference using the control signal; 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, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for providing a sound to a listener having first and second ears, the system comprising:
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a processor configured to receive a monaural information signal, to convert the monaural input signal into first and second output signals with a phase difference between the first and second output signals, to receive a control signal, and to adjust the phase difference using the control signal; and a pair of audio devices configured to provide 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 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification