Systems, methods, and devices for intelligent speech recognition and processing

1. A method for processing a sound element, comprising:

at least one computer processor in an audio processing device outputting a first sound element to an audio output device;

the at least one computer processor receiving, from a signaling unit, user feedback in response to the output of the first sound element;

the at least one computer processor selecting a processing strategy or technique in response to the user feedback; and

the at least one computer processor applying the processing strategy or technique to a second sound element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first sound element comprises at least one of a continuant sound element and a non-continuant sound element.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing strategy or technique increases a duration of the second sound element.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing strategy or technique decreases a duration of the second sound element.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

the at least one computer processor outputting the processed first sound element to the audio output device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first sound element is a speech sound.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the audio processing device comprises the at least one computer processor and the audio output device.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first speech element is received as part of a speech signal.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signaling unit is a body-worn device.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signaling unit is a handheld device.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing strategy or technique reduces inter-segment masking.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing strategy or technique reduces reverberant masking.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing strategy or technique reduces background noise.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing strategy or technique reduces acoustic feedback.

15. A method for processing a speech signal, comprising:

at least one computer processor in an audio processing device receiving an audio signal comprising an incoming speech signal;

the at least one computer processor recognizing an acoustic environment for the audio signal;

the at least one computer processor selecting a sound element in the received speech signal to process;

the at least one computer processor determining a signal processing strategy or technique for processing the sound element based on the acoustic environment;

the at least one computer processor applying the determined signal processing strategy or technique to the selected sound element;

the at least one computer processor outputting a processed speech signal comprising the processed sound element to an audio output device;

the at least one computer processor receiving, from a signaling unit, user feedback in response to the output of the processed sound element; and

the at least one computer processor altering the signal processing strategy or technique based on the user feedback.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the signaling unit is a handheld device.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the feedback is received as audible feedback from a user.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the determined signal processing strategy or technique reduces inter-segment masking.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the determined signal processing strategy or technique reduces reverberant masking.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the determined signal processing strategy or technique reduces background noise.

21. The method of claim 15 , wherein the determined signal processing strategy or technique reduces acoustic feedback.

22. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sound element is a speech sound.

23. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of outputting a processed speech signal comprising outputting a first portion of the processed speech signal to a first channel of the audio output device, and outputting a second portion of the processed speech signal to a second channel of the audio output device.

24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the signaling unit is a body-worn device.

25. An audio processing device, comprising:

an audio input device that receives an incoming speech signal that comprises a plurality of sound elements;

an audio output device; and

at least one computer processor that performs the following:

outputs a first sound element to the audio output device;

receives from a signaling unit, user feedback in response to the output of the first sound element;

selects a processing strategy or technique in response to the the user feedback;

applies the processing strategy or technique to a second sound element; and

applies the processing strategy or technique to a second sound element.

26. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the audio output device is a speaker.

27. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the audio input device is a microphone.

28. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the audio input device, the at least one computer processor, and the audio output device are co-located within the same device.

29. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the audio output device and the at least one computer processor are separate.

30. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first sound element and the second sound element is a speech sound.

31. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the signaling unit is a body-worn device.

32. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the signaling unit is a handheld device.

33. The audio processing device of claim 25 , wherein the at least one computer processor outputs the processed first sound element to the audio output device.

34. An audio processing device, comprising:

an audio input device that receives an audio signal comprising an incoming speech signal;

an audio output device; and

at least one computer processor that performs the following:

recognizes an acoustic environment for the audio signal;

select a sound element in the received speech signal to process;

determines a signal processing strategy or technique for processing the sound element based on the acoustic environment;

applies the determined signal processing strategy or technique to the sound element;

output a processed speech signal comprising the processed sound element to the audio output device;

receives, from a signaling unit, user feedback in response to the output of the processed sound element; and

alters the signal processing strategy or technique based on the user feedback.

35. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the audio input device is a microphone.

36. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the audio input device, the at least one computer processor, and the audio output device are co-located within the same device.

37. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the audio output device and the at least one computer processor are separate.

38. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the sound element is a speech sound.

39. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the audio output device is a speaker.

40. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the signaling unit is a body-worn device.

41. The audio processing device of claim 34 , wherein the signaling unit is a handheld device.