US 4,289,935 AGranted

Method for generating acoustical voice signals for persons extremely hard of hearing and a device for implementing this method

AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsManfred Zollner, Christian Hoffmann, Eberhard Zwicker

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Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, the signals to be transmitted are converted into electric signals and resolved into a multiplicity of frequency bands by means of filters. The signals coming from the filters are then employed for the modulation of tone signals. Finally, original tones are supplied to the person hard of hearing together with the modulated tones as the auditory signal. To this end, the disclosure provides that the resolution ensues into at least three frequency bands and that the frequencies of the modulated tones are adapted to the residual frequency band of the person hard of hearing and that all of the signals to be transmitted are transmitted together with the modulated tones and that the ratio of the loudness of the original tones and that of the modulated tones is set at a ratio which is useful for the person hard of hearing. For transmission to the person hard of hearing, standard earpieces can be employed or implanted devices with direct electric transmission of the signals to the auditory nerves. Disclosed methods and devices are particularly employable as a hearing aid device for persons who are very hard of hearing or who have total hearing impairment.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A method for generating acoustical voice signals which are intelligible to persons extremely hard of hearing, but having a sensory response to frequencies in a given sensory spectrum, comprising:

(a) supplying an input signal in accordance with an acoustical voice signal to be made intelligible to an individual with a given sensory spectrum,
(b) dividing the input signal into a plurality of frequency bands to provide output signals of different frequency bands,
(c) modulating alternating waveform signals of different frequencies within the given sensory spectrum with the envelopes of the output signals of said different frequency bands, to provide modulated tone signals,
(d) combining the modulated tone signals with frequency components of the input signal, and supplying the resultant signal to the individual having said given sensory spectrum,
wherein the improvement comprises
(e) dividing the input signal in accordance with the acoustical voice signal, into at least three frequency bands to thereby provide output signals in a multiplicity of different frequency bands with respective mean frequencies (f.sub.m),
(f) modulating a multiplicity of alternating current waveforms of different frequencies (f.sub.G) within the given sensory spectrum with the envelopes of respective ones of said output signals in said multiplicity of different frequency bands, to provide a multiplicity of modulated tone signals,
(g) combining the multiplicity of modulated tone signals with the total spectrum of said input signal, and supplying the resultant total spectrum combined signal to the individual having said given sensory spectrum, and
(h) adjusting the ratio of the loudness of the multiplicity of modulated tone signals with respect to the loudness of said input signal, and also adjusting the loudness of the resultant total spectrum combined signal, both adjustments being made in relation to the specific sensory characteristics of the individual person having said given sensory spectrum.

6 more elements

A method for generating acoustical voice signals which are intelligible to persons extremely hard of hearing, but having a sensory response to frequencies in a given sensory spectrum, comprising:

(a) supplying an input signal in accordance with an acoustical voice signal to be made intelligible to an individual with a given sensory spectrum
(b) dividing the input signal into a plurality of frequency bands to provide output signals of different frequency bands,
(c) modulating alternating waveform signals of different frequencies within the given sensory spectrum with the envelopes of the output signals of said different frequency bands, to provide modulated tone signals,
(d) combining the modulated tone signals with frequency components of the input signal, and supplying the resultant signal to the individual having said given sensory spectrum,
wherein the improvement comprises
(e) dividing the input signal in accordance with the acoutical voice signal, into at least three frequency bands to thereby provide output signals in a multiplicity of different frequency bands with respective mean frequencies (f.sub.m),
(f) modulating a multiplicity of alternating current waveforms of different frequencies (f.sub.G) within the given sensory spectrum with the envelopes of respective ones of said output signals in said multiplicity of different frequency bands, to provide a multiplicity of modulated tone signals,
(g) selecting the different frequencies (f.sub.G) of the alternating current waveforms to be proportionate with respective frequencies of the input signal above a given low frequency limit, and
(h) combining with the multiplicity of modulated tone signals only one low pass component of the input signal.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.