Digital Hearing Aids Technologies - Signals Processing
Analog Signal Processing
The incoming acoustic signal is changed into an electric signal and back into an audible acoustic signal
Digital Signal Processing
The incoming acoustic signal is changed into an electric signal (analog) signal which is then converted into numbers (Binary Code) for further processing
Advantages of Digital Signal Processing
Binary Code is used to process signals in hearing instruments
same as in PCs
Hearing Instruments are flexible as PCs
Applying features not possible in analog technology
Many new hardware & software features can be used to improve
Channels divide the frequency range of a Hearing Instrument into blocks/segments.
Example of a 2 Channel Hearing Instrument
Each channel can be manipulated individual according to user’s requirements.
The more channels, the more accurately a Hearing Instrument can be fine-tuned according to an individual hearing loss
Example of a 16 Channel Hearing Instrument
Signal Processing Strategies
digital Wide Dynamic Range Compression (dWDRC)
Makes soft sounds audible & keeps loud sounds comfortable
Adjusts amplification automatically according to input signal intensity
Simulates the Outer Hair Cell function of the cochlea
no need for manual volume control
dLimiting / digital Super Compression (dSC)
Provide more or less the same amplification regardless of the input level
No (dLim) or only very little (dSC) automatic amplification adjustment
Requires frequent use of manual volume control
Bionic Perception Processing (BPP)
Simulates the natural structure and sound perception functions of the human cochlea
BPP in hearing instruments uses a 20 channel DSP
Spectral Masking
Some components of sound are inaudible to the normal functioning ear because they are masked by others
BPP only applies amplification to components of sound which are audible to normal hearing persons
Loudness Summation
Loudness perception does not depend on sound intensity alone but also on the size of area stimulated on the basilar membrane
2 sounds with different intensities and different bandwidth can be perceived same loud (see picture)
BPP takes this into account - dWDRC don't
BPP delivers the most natural sound experience in hearing instruments due to its precise emulation of cochlea functions
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