IP Library Granted Patent US 9,210,518
Granted Patent B2
US 9,210,518 · App. 13/251,358 · Granted Dec 8, 2015

Method and apparatus for microphone matching for wearable directional hearing device using wearer's own voice

Inventor: Tao Zhang (Eden Prairie, MN)
Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
H04R25/407H04R29/006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,210,518
App. No.
13/251,358
Granted
Dec 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Method and apparatus for microphone matching for wearable directional hearing assistance devices are provided. An embodiment includes a method for matching at least a first microphone to a second microphone, using a user's voice from the user's mouth. The user's voice is processed as received by at least one microphone to determine a frequency profile associated with voice of the user. Intervals are detected where the user is speaking using the frequency profile. Variations in microphone reception between the first microphone and the second microphone are adaptively canceled during the intervals and when the first microphone and second microphone are in relatively constant spatial position with respect to the user's mouth.

Claims (15)

1. A method for matching a first and second microphone for a hearing assistance device worn by a user, the method comprising:

receiving signals representative of sounds from the user's mouth from at least one or more of the first and second microphones, the first and second microphones configured to be in relatively constant spatial position with respect to the user's mouth;

detecting an average fundamental frequency of voice, or pitch output, using the received signals;

producing a voice detection trigger based at least on the pitch output, the voice detection trigger configured to detect intervals when the user is speaking;

processing at least the voice detection trigger using a least means squares (LMS) adaptive filter to produce a mismatch output; and

using the mismatch output to adaptively match directional microphone response of the first microphone to directional microphone response of the second microphone during the intervals.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the voice detection trigger using an LMS adaptive filter includes using an LMS processor.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein processing the voice detection trigger using an LMS adaptive filter includes using a finite impulse response (FIR) filter.

4. The method of claim 3 , comprising providing a plurality of LMS coefficients using the LMS processor.

5. The method of claim 4 , comprising receiving the plurality of LMS coefficients and producing the matched output using the FIR filter.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising receiving signals representative of sounds from the user's mouth in a behind-the-ear hearing aid.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising receiving signals representative of sounds from the user's mouth in an in-the-ear hearing aid.

8. The method of claim 1 , comprising receiving signals representative of sounds from the user's mouth in an in-the-canal hearing aid.

9. The method of claim 1 , comprising receiving signals representative of sounds from the user's mouth in a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving signals representative of sounds from the user's mouth from at least one or more of the first and second microphones includes using a digital signal processor.

Assignments (1)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 25, 2018
From: STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046944/0689 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 11857306 · Sep 18, 2007
Related Publication 20120230526A1 · Sep 13, 2012