Method and device for compensating for partial hearing loss
First Claim
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1. A method of compensating for partial hearing loss, comprising the steps of:
- a. converting a time domain signal corresponding to a sound into a series of digital component values in the frequency domain;
b. performing a non-linear amplitude gain operation in the frequency domain on each of the digital component values by determining a desired amplitude gain for each of a plurality of spectral component frequencies in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz and performing the gain operation for each component value according to the desired gain for its corresponding frequency;
c. converting the digital component values from step (b) back into a time domain signal corresponding to the sound with compensation for partial hearing loss; and
d. wherein the desired amplitude gain for each frequency is determined according to exp (K), where the amplitude gain coefficient isK=(y-yo)Ln(10)/20 neperswhere y=T+(yo -To) (P-T)/(Po -To) dBand yo is the original sound intensity level in dB,T is the threshold of hearing of a hearing impaired listener in dB,T0 is the normal threshold of heating in dB,P is the threshold of pain for the hearing impaired listener in dB,P0 is the normal threshold of pain in dB, and0 dB SIL reference level is 10-16 Watts/cm2.
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Abstract
A method and device for compensating for partial hearing loss by converting a time domain signal corresponding to a sound into a series of digital component values in the frequency domain, performing a nonlinear amplitude gain operation in the frequency domain on each of the digital component values and converting the digital component values back into a time domain signal corresponding to the sound with compensation for partial hearing loss.
44 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of compensating for partial hearing loss, comprising the steps of:
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a. converting a time domain signal corresponding to a sound into a series of digital component values in the frequency domain; b. performing a non-linear amplitude gain operation in the frequency domain on each of the digital component values by determining a desired amplitude gain for each of a plurality of spectral component frequencies in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz and performing the gain operation for each component value according to the desired gain for its corresponding frequency; c. converting the digital component values from step (b) back into a time domain signal corresponding to the sound with compensation for partial hearing loss; and d. wherein the desired amplitude gain for each frequency is determined according to exp (K), where the amplitude gain coefficient is K=(y-yo)Ln(10)/20 nepers where y=T+(yo -To) (P-T)/(Po -To) dB and yo is the original sound intensity level in dB, T is the threshold of hearing of a hearing impaired listener in dB, T0 is the normal threshold of heating in dB, P is the threshold of pain for the hearing impaired listener in dB, P0 is the normal threshold of pain in dB, and 0 dB SIL reference level is 10-16 Watts/cm2. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13)
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6. π
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Ko is the amplitude gain coefficient at frequency fo in nepers.
- =3. 14159 radians
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8. A device for compensating for partial hearing loss, comprising:
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a. first means for converting a time domain signal corresponding to a sound into a series of digital component values in the frequency domain; b. second means for performing a non-linear amplitude gain operation in the frequency domain on each of the digital component values, comprising means for storing a desired amplitude gain for each of a plurality of component frequencies in t he range of 20 to 20,000 Hz and means for performing the gain operation for each component value according to the desired amplitude gain for its corresponding frequency; c. third means for converting the digital component values from the performing means back into a time domain signal corresponding to the sound with compensation for partial hearing loss; and d. means for determining the desired amplitude gain for each frequency according to exp (K), where the amplitude gain coefficient is K=(y-yo)Ln(10)/20 nepers where y=T+(yo -To)(P-T)/(Po -To) dB and yo is the original sound intensity level in dB, T is the threshold of hearing of a hearing impaired listener in dB, To is the normal threshold of heating in dB, P is the threshold of pain for the hearing impaired listener in dB, Po is the normal threshold of pain in dB, and OdB SIL reference level is 10-16 Watts/cm2. - View Dependent Claims (10, 12)
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Specification