Method to adjust parameters of a transfer function of a hearing device as well as hearing device
View Patent ↗A method to adjust parameters of a transfer function of a hearing device is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of extracting features of an input signal fed to the hearing device, classifying the extracted features into one of several possible classes, selecting a class corresponding to a best estimate of a momentary acoustic scene, adjusting at least some of the parameters of the transfer function in accordance with the selected class representing the best estimated momentary acoustic scene, and training the hearing device to improve classification of the extracted feature or the best estimate of the momentary acoustic scene, respectively, during regular operation of the hearing device. As a result, the hearing device does not only improve its behavior when new data is presented lying outside of known training data, but the hearing device is also better and faster adapted to most common acoustic scenes, with which the hearing device user is confronted.
1. A method to adjust parameters of a transfer function of a hearing device, said method comprising the steps of:
extracting features of an input signal fed to the hearing device; classifying the extracted features into one of several possible classes;
selecting a class corresponding to a best estimate of a momentary acoustic scene during a regular operation of the hearing device;
adjusting at least some of the parameters of the transfer function in accordance with the selected class representing the best estimated momentary acoustic scene; and
after said adjusting, training the hearing device to improve classification of the extracted feature or improve the best estimate of the momentary acoustic scene, respectively, during the regular operation of the hearing device, to provide another adjusting of at least some of the parameters of the transfer function in accordance with said improved classification or improved best estimate.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding a new class to the several possible classes based on said training.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
separating a sound source from other sound sources; and
only using the separated sound source for training the hearing device.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein a beam former is used for sound source separation.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
marking the sound source being separated; and
tracking the sound source being separated using the marking.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein one or several of the following markings are used for the tracking of the sound source being separated: an FM—(Frequency Modulated) signal, an optical signal, and a magnetic Signal.
7. A method to adjust parameters of a transfer function of a hearing device, said method comprising the steps of:
extracting features of an input signal fed to the hearing device;
classifying the extracted features into one of several possible classes;
selecting a class corresponding to a best estimate of a momentary acoustic scene during a regular operation of the hearing device;
adjusting at least some of the parameters of the transfer function in accordance with the selected class representing the best estimated momentary acoustic scene;
after said adjusting, surveying a control input to the hearing device;
activating a training phase as soon as the control input is being activated; and
training the hearing device during the training phase by improving the best estimate of the momentary acoustic scene to provide another adjusting of at least some of the parameters of the transfer function in accordance with said improved best estimate wherein the hearing device is regularly operated during the training phase.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of terminating the training phase as soon as the control input is deactivated.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of terminating the training phase as soon as another acoustic scene is detected.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of automatically activating the control input after a new momentary scene has been detected for a preset interval.
11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of adding a new class to the several possible classes based on said training.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
separating a sound source from other sound sources; and
only using the separated sound source for training the hearing device.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a beam former is used for sound source separation.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
marking the sound source being separated; and
tracking the sound source being separated using the marking.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein one or several of the following markings are used for the tracking of the sound source being separated: an FM—(Frequency Modulated) signal, optical signal, and a magnetic Signal.
16. A hearing device comprising:
at least one microphone to generate at least one input signal;
a main processing unit to which the at least one input signal is fed;
a receiver operationally connected to the main processing unit;
means for extracting features of the at least one input signal;
means for classifying the extracted features into one of several possible classes;
means for selecting a class corresponding to a best estimate of a momentary acoustic scene during regular operation;
means for adjusting at least some of the parameters of a transfer function between the at least one microphone and the receiver in accordance with the best estimated momentary acoustic scene; and
training means to improve the best estimate of the momentary acoustic scene during the regular operation.
17. The device of claim 16 , further comprising separating means to separate a sound source from other sound sources.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein a beam former is used as separating means.
19. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
marking means for marking the sound source being separated; and
tracking means for tracking the sound source being separated using the marking means.
20. The device of claim 19 , wherein one or several of the following marking means are used: an FM—(Frequency Modulated) signal, an optical signal, and a magnetic Signal.
21. A hearing device comprising:
at least one microphone to generate at least one input signal;
a main processing unit to which the at least one input signal is fed;
a receiver operationally connected to the main processing unit;
means for extracting features of the at least one input signal;
means for classifying the extracted features into one of several possible classes;
means for selecting a class corresponding to a best estimate of a momentary acoustic scene;
means for adjusting at least some of the parameters of a transfer function between the at least one microphone and the receiver in accordance with the best estimated momentary acoustic scene;
means for surveying a control input;
means for activating a training phase as soon as the control input is being activated; and
training means for training the hearing device during a training phase by improving the best estimate of the momentary acoustic scene, wherein the main processing unit and the training means are operated simultaneously.
22. The device of claim 21 , wherein the training means are deactivateable.
23. The device of claim 21 , further comprising separating means to separate a sound source from other sound sources.
24. The device of claim 23 , wherein a beam former is used as separating means.
25. The device of claim 23 , further comprising:
marking means for marking the sound source being separated; and
tracking means for tracking the sound source being separated using the marking means.
26. The device of claim 25 , wherein one or several of the following marking means are used: an FM—(Frequency Modulated) signal, an optical signal, and a magnetic Signal.