IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,750,619
Granted Patent B2
US 12,750,619 · App. 18/756,883 · Granted Sep 29, 2026

Customized audio modification tool

Inventor: Anton V. Polinger (Bellevue, WA)
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
H04R3/04A61B5/123G06F3/162H04R2430/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,750,619
App. No.
18/756,883
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for providing a customized configuration of settings for an audio processor. The customized configuration is determined for a user based on results of a hearing test. The test may be provided by the system or another system. The customized configuration includes an increase or decrease to an intensity level of one or more frequency bands of one or more channels (e.g., a left and right) to compensate for a decreased hearing threshold level experienced by the user (e.g., as indicated by the hearing test results). The settings may be further adjusted based on an application of one or more equal-loudness contours representing varying sensitivity of the human ear to different frequencies. When audio is played by an application including or in communication with the audio processor, the audio is adjusted based on the customized configuration and the user is provided with an improved listening experience.

Claims (96)

1 . A method, comprising:

determining a customized configuration of audio processor settings for an audio processor based on results of a hearing test that indicate hearing loss experienced by a user at a first frequency band, wherein determining the customized configuration comprises:

applying an equal-loudness contour to the audio processor settings;

based on the equal-loudness contour, determining an adjusted level of intensity of the first frequency band that offsets a perceived loudness fall-off at the frequency band; and

setting an intensity level of the first frequency band to the adjusted level of intensity;

adjusting the audio processor settings based on the customized configuration;

receiving an audio content;

adjusting playback of the audio content based on the customized configuration of audio processor settings; and

providing the adjusted audio content to a sound interface for output by a speaker.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to receiving the results of the hearing test:

providing the hearing test;

receiving user responses in association with the hearing test; and

determining the results based on the user responses.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the results represent a hearing threshold level of each or a combination of the user's ears for audio output across various frequency bands and at different intensity levels.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the results indicate additional hearing loss experienced by the user at a second frequency band;

determining the customized configuration comprises determining a second adjusted level of intensity of the second frequency band that compensates for the additional hearing loss experienced by the user; and

adjusting the audio processor settings comprises setting the intensity level of the second frequency band to the second adjusted level of intensity.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

determining the customized configuration further comprises determining:

a maximum intensity threshold of each of a plurality of frequency bands; and

a minimum intensity threshold of each of the plurality of frequency bands; and

adjusting the audio processor settings comprises, for each of the plurality of frequency bands, compressing an amplitude based on the maximum intensity threshold and the minimum intensity threshold of the frequency band.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

determining the customized configuration further comprises determining a second frequency band at which the results indicate hearing loss experienced by the user is less than at the first frequency band; and

adjusting the audio processor settings comprises shifting the first frequency band to the second frequency band.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing an option for uploading the results of the hearing test; and

in response to a selection of the option, receiving the results.

8 . A system, comprising:

a processing system; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to perform operations comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection to customize settings of an audio processor;

providing a hearing test to a user;

receiving user responses in association with the hearing test;

determining results of the hearing test based on the user responses, wherein the results indicate hearing loss experienced by the user at a first frequency band;

determining a customized configuration of the settings based on the results by:

applying an equal-loudness contour to the settings of the audio processor;

based on the equal-loudness contour, determining an adjusted level of intensity of the first frequency band that offsets a perceived loudness fall-off at the first frequency band; and

setting an intensity level of the first frequency band to the adjusted level of intensity; and

adjusting the settings based on the customized configuration.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, by the audio processor, audio content;

adjusting, by the audio processor, playback of the audio content based on the customized configuration of the settings; and

providing, by the audio processor to a sound interface, adjusted audio content for output by a speaker.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein:

the results represent a hearing threshold level of each or a combination of the user's ears for audio output across various frequency bands and at different intensity levels; and

the results indicate a low hearing threshold level experienced by the user at the first frequency band.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the first adjusted level of intensity compensates for the low hearing threshold level experienced by the user.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the customized configuration comprises a second frequency band at which the results indicate hearing loss experienced by the user is less than at the first frequency band; and

adjusting the settings comprises shifting the first frequency band to the second frequency band.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein:

the customized configuration comprises at least one of:

a maximum intensity threshold of the first frequency band; or

a minimum intensity threshold of the first frequency band; and

adjusting the settings comprises compressing a dynamic range of intensity of the first frequency band via setting at least one of:

a first compression level of the intensity of the first frequency band to the maximum intensity threshold; or

a second compression level of the intensity of the first frequency band to the minimum intensity threshold.

14 . A device, comprising:

an audio processor;

a processing system; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the device to perform operations comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection to customize settings of the audio processor;

receiving results of a hearing test, wherein the results indicate a hearing threshold level experienced by at least one ear of the user at a first frequency band;

determining a customized configuration of the settings based on the results by:

applying an equal-loudness contour to the settings of the audio processor;

based on the equal-loudness contour, determining an adjusted level of intensity of the first frequency band that offsets a perceived loudness fall-off at the first frequency band; and

setting an intensity level of the first frequency band to the adjusted level of intensity;

adjusting the settings based on the customized configuration;

receiving audio content;

providing the audio content to the audio processor to adjust output of the audio content based on the customized configuration of settings;

receiving, from the audio processor, adjusted audio content; and

providing the adjusted audio content to a sound interface for output by a speaker.

15 . The device of claim 14 , further comprising, prior to receiving the results of the hearing test:

providing the hearing test;

receiving user responses in association with the hearing test; and

determining the results based on the user responses.

16 . The device of claim 14 , wherein determining the customized configuration comprises performing at least one of:

equalization;

frequency range transposition;

dynamic range compression; or

audio multiband compression.

17 . The device of claim 14 , wherein the results represent a hearing threshold level of each or a combination of the user's ears for audio output across various frequency bands and at different intensity levels.

18 . The device of claim 14 , wherein:

determining the customized configuration comprises determining:

a maximum intensity threshold of each of a plurality of frequency bands; and

a minimum intensity threshold of each of the plurality of frequency bands; and

adjusting the audio processor settings comprises, for each of the plurality of frequency bands, compressing an amplitude based on the maximum intensity threshold and the minimum intensity threshold of the frequency band.

19 . The device of claim 14 , wherein:

determining the customized configuration further comprises determining a second frequency band at which the results indicate hearing loss experienced by the user is less than at the first frequency band; and

adjusting the audio processor settings comprises shifting the first frequency band to the second frequency band.

20 . The device of claim 14 , the operations further comprising:

prior to receiving the results of the hearing test, providing an option for uploading the results; and

in response to a selection of the option, receiving the results.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2024
From: POLINGER, ANTON V.
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 067862/0349 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20260006378A1 · Jan 1, 2026
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