Method and apparatus for hearing assistance in multiple-talker settings
View Patent ↗Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for hearing assistance in multiple-talker settings. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device for a user in an environment. A parameter is sensed relating to facing orientation of a talker in communication within the environment. Parameters related to location and talking activity of a talker can also be used. In various embodiments, facing orientation, location, and talking activity of the talker are estimated based on the sensed parameter. A hearing assistance device parameter is adjusted based on the estimated facing orientation, location, and talking activity of the talker, according to various embodiments.
1. A method of operating a hearing assistance device for a user in an environment, the method comprising:
sensing parameters related to facing orientation of a talker of a plurality of talkers in communication with the user, location of the talker, and talking activity of the talker within the environment using a sensor providing parameters to a processor of the hearing assistance device;
estimating facing orientation of the talker, location of the talker, and talking activity of the talker based on the sensed parameters using the processor; and
automatically adjusting a hearing assistance device parameter based on the estimated facing orientation of the talker, location of the talker, and talking activity of the talker.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating facing orientation, location, and talking activity of the talker includes using acoustic information received at both ears of the user.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein using acoustic information includes using sound level information.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein using acoustic information includes using sound spectrum information.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein using acoustic information includes using interaural differences in arrival time.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein using acoustic information includes using direct-to-reverberant energy ratios.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing and estimating include using an estimation device in wireless communication with the hearing assistance device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating facing orientation, location, and talking activity of the talker includes using a marker signal indicative of the most promising target listening direction for the user.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing parameters related to facing orientation, location, and talking activity of a talker in communication with the user includes using a camera.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing parameters related to facing orientation, location, and talking activity of a talker in communication with the user includes using an accelerometer.
11. A hearing assistance system including a hearing assistance device for a user in an environment, the system comprising:
a sensor configured to sense parameters related to one or more of facing orientation of a talker of a plurality of talkers in communication with the user, location of the talker, and talking activity of the talker within the environment;
an estimation unit configured to estimate facing orientation of the talker, location of the talker, and talking activity of the talker based on the sensed parameters; and
a processor configured to adjust a hearing assistance device parameter based on the estimated facing orientation of the talker, location of the talker, and talking activity of the talker.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor includes a camera.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.
19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.
20. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.
21. The system of claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid.