Method and apparatus for reduction of musical noise during speech enhancement

A method comprising:

• determining a speech-presence-uncertainty metric based on input representing audio information;
• and
• performing smoothing during noise suppression of the input information based on the determined speech-presence-uncertainty metric to produce output representing audio information with enhanced speech and reduced musical noise.

A system comprising:

• a noise suppressor system that receives input representing audio information and generates filter coefficients;
• and
• a back-end smoothing system that receives the input information and the filter coefficients, determines a speech-presence-uncertainty metric based on the input information and the filter coefficients, and performs smoothing during noise suppression of the input information based on the determined speech-presence-uncertainty metric to produce output representing audio information with enhanced speech and reduced musical noise.

An apparatus comprising:

• speech presence uncertainty assessment circuitry coupled to receive input representing audio information and noise reduction filter coefficients, wherein the speech presence uncertainty assessment circuitry determines a speech-presence-uncertainty metric based on the input audio information and the noise reduction filter coefficients;
• and
• smoothing circuitry comprising a filter and a multiplier unit, the filter coupled to receive the noise reduction filter coefficients, and the multiplier unit coupled to receive the input audio information and output smoothed filter coefficients from the filter.

A system comprising:

• means for suppressing noise in input representing audio information based on filter coefficients;
• and
• speech-presence-uncertainty-assessment means for driving smoothing of the filter coefficients used by the means for suppressing noise to reduce musical noise and enhance speech.