Noise reduction in modern hearing aids – long-term average gain measurements using speech

Authors

  • Karolina Smeds Widex A/S, ORCA Europe, Maria Bangata 4, SE-118 63, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Niklas Bergman Widex A/S, ORCA Europe, Maria Bangata 4, SE-118 63, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Sofia Hertzman Widex A/S, ORCA Europe, Maria Bangata 4, SE-118 63, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Torbjörn Nyman Widex A/S, ORCA Europe, Maria Bangata 4, SE-118 63, Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

The current study aims at showing how noise reduction algorithms of contemporary hearing aids function for real speech in noise. Twelve modern hearing aids were used. Coupler gain measurements were performed in an acoustic test chamber using a real speech signal in stationary speech-weighted noise. Recordings of the input to and output from the hearing aids, with the noise reduction switched on and off, were used to calculate long-term average gain reduction due to the noise reduction. The results, presented as contour plots, show large differences among the various noise reduction algorithms. The hearing aid manufacturers have obviously chosen to design their noise reduction algorithms based on completely different principles.

References

Dreschler, W. A., Verschuure, H., Ludvigsen, C., and Westermann, S. (2001). “ICRA noises: arti cial noise signals with speech-like spectral and temporal properties for hearing instrument assessment,” Audiology 40, 148-157.

EHIMA (2007). “Testing hearing aids with a speech-like signal,” Draft, Version 4.2c.

Hoetink, A. E., Körössy, L., and Dreschler, W. A. (2009). “Classi cation of steady state gain reduction produced by amplitude modulation based noise reduction in digital hearing aids,” Int J Audiol 48, 444-455.

Leijon, A., and Nordqvist, P. (1999). “Acoustical speci cation of non-linear hearing instruments,” in Auditory models and non-linear hearing instruments (18th Danavox Symposium) edited by A. N. Rasmussen, P. A. Osterhammel, T. Andersen and T. Poulsen (Scantryk A/S, Copenhagen), pp. 275-308.

Nordqvist, P., and Leijon, A. (2002). “Characterising the dynamic behaviour of advanced hearing instruments in real-life environments (poster presentation),” International hearing aid research conference (IHCON).

Additional Files

Published

2009-12-15

How to Cite

Smeds, K., Bergman, N., Hertzman, S., & Nyman, T. (2009). Noise reduction in modern hearing aids – long-term average gain measurements using speech. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 2, 445–452. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2009-45

Issue

Vol. 2 (2009): Binaural Processing and Spatial Hearing

Section

2009/4. Recent concepts in binaural cochlear-implant and hearing-aid processing

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