Audio signal processing for hearing impairment compensation with a hearing aid device and a speaker

1. An apparatus comprising:

a speaker proximate to a hearing aid device; and

a control unit to:

couple to at least one of the speaker and the hearing aid device;

access a hearing impaired profile associated with the hearing aid device;

determine a first audio signal is to be output by the apparatus;

in response to the determination:

muting the hearing aid device;

adjusting the first audio signal based on the hearing impaired profile; and

sending the adjusted first audio signal to the speaker, such that the first audio signal is output only from the speaker; and

determine a second audio signal is to be output by the hearing aid device, wherein the second audio signal comprises speech; and

in response to the determination that the second audio signal is to be output:

unmuting the hearing aid device;

adjusting the second audio signal based on the hearing impaired profile; and

sending the adjusted second audio signal to the hearing aid device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises at least one of: a smartphone, an armrest interface, a headrest interface, a wrist watch, a computer, a vehicle on-board system interface, a cell phone, a monitor, and any portable or vehicle-integrated computing device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hearing impaired profile includes at least one of: a manual adjustment and a learned audio adjustment.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein adjustment of the first or second audio signal corresponds to an application of asymmetric correction for a left and right ear of a user associated with the hearing impaired profile.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein adjustment of the first or second audio signal corresponds to an application of at least one of asymmetric correction for a left and right ear of a user associated with the hearing impaired profile, symmetric correction for the left and right ear of the user associated with the hearing impaired profile, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the speaker is a near-field speaker.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising another speaker, wherein the speaker and the other speaker comprise left-right headrest speakers that are included in at least one of: an automotive audio system, a theater audio system, a home audio system, an airline audio system, and an airport audio system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein adjustment of the first or second audio signal is associated with particular adjustment of a plurality of frequencies for each ear of a user.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a memory configured to store the hearing impaired profile.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the hearing impaired profile is based on user input.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the memory is included in the control unit, and wherein the control unit is associated with a vehicle on-board system configured to provide individualized adjustment of the first or second audio signal for each occupant of a vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein adjustment of the first audio signal corresponds to individualized attenuation or amplification of the first audio signal for each ear of a user.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the adjustment of the first audio signal further corresponds to application of cross-talk cancellation associated with the speaker.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to mute the hearing aid device based on at least one of a manually adjusted hearing configuration and a learned audio adjustment parameter.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a memory storing a hearing impaired profile associated with a hearing aid device;

a speaker proximate to the hearing aid device; and

a control unit to:

communicate with the memory, the speaker, and the hearing aid device;

determine a first audio signal is to be output by the apparatus;

in response to the determination:

muting the hearing aid device;

adjusting the first audio signal according to the hearing impaired profile; and

sending the adjusted first audio signal to the speaker, such that the first audio signal is output only from the speaker; and

determining a second audio signal is to be output by the hearing aid device, wherein the second audio signal comprises speech; and

in response to the determination that the second audio signal is to be output:

unmuting the hearing aid device;

adjusting the second audio signal based on the hearing impaired profile; and

sending the adjusted second audio signal to the hearing aid device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the hearing impaired profile is based on at least one of a manual audio adjustment and a learned audio adjustment parameter.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first audio signal is entertainment audio.

18. A method comprising:

coupling, by a control unit, a hearing aid device and a speaker proximate to the hearing aid device;

accessing a hearing impaired profile associated with the hearing aid device;

determining a first audio signal is to be output;

in response to the determination:

muting the hearing aid device;

adjusting the first audio signal according to a hearing impaired profile associated with the hearing aid device; and

sending the first audio signal to the speaker, such that the first audio signal is output only from the speaker; and

determining a second audio signal is to be output by the hearing aid device, wherein the second audio signal comprises speech; and;

in response to the determination that the second audio signal is to be output:

unmuting the hearing aid device;

adjusting the second audio signal based on the hearing impaired profile; and

sending the adjusted second audio signal to the hearing aid device.