Howling prevention algorithm for hearing aids

A method of preventing feedback in a hearing device, the method comprising:

• providing a first audio signal based on a substantially unity gain value;
• receiving a microphone signal from an inward-facing microphone;
• estimating an acoustic feedback signal based on the first audio signal;
• determining an indicator of instability based on the microphone signal and the acoustic feedback signal;
• providing, in response to determining the indicator of instability exceeds a howling prevention threshold, a sound control gain at a substantially zero gain value to prevent feedback howling;
• and
• providing a second audio signal based on the sound control gain at the substantially zero gain value.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a hearing device, cause the one or more processors to perform operations for preventing feedback, the operations comprising:

• providing a first audio signal based on a substantially unity gain value;
• receiving a microphone signal from an inward-facing microphone;
• estimating an acoustic feedback signal based on the first audio signal;
• determining an indicator of instability based on the microphone signal and the acoustic feedback signal;
• providing, in response to determining the indicator of instability exceeds a howling prevention threshold, a sound control gain at a substantially zero gain value to prevent feedback howling;
• and
• providing a second audio signal based on the sound control gain at the substantially zero gain value.