Wind noise in hearing aids with directional and omnidirectional microphones: Polar characteristics of custom-made hearing aids

2010 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 2529-2542 ◽  
Author(s):  
King Chung ◽  
Nicholas McKibben ◽  
Luc Mongeau
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Wind Noise ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Omnidirectional Microphones

Wind noise in hearing aids

1980 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Neame ◽  
W. C. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Wind Noise

scholarly journals Vent Configurations on Subjective and Objective Occlusion Effect

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (09) ◽  
pp. 747-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Kuk ◽  
Denise Keenan ◽  
Chi-Chuen Lau
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Response Variability ◽  
Subjective Rating ◽  
Systematic Change ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Occlusion Effect

The current study reexamined the effect of vent diameters on objective and subjective occlusion effect (OE) while minimizing two possible sources of variability. Nine hearing-impaired participants with primarily a high-frequency hearing loss were evaluated. Laser shell-making technology was used to make ear inserts of completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids for the study. This was to minimize any potential slit leakage from the inserts. The vent dimensions were systematically altered during the study. Participants sustained /i/ for 5 sec, and the real-ear occluded response was measured with a custom-made program that performed frequency averaging to reduce response variability. Participants also repeated the phrase "Baby Jeannie is teeny tiny" and rated their own voice. The results showed a systematic change in the objective OE and subjective ratings of OE as the vent diameter was modified. Furthermore, a significant correlation was seen between subjective rating and objective occlusion effect.

scholarly journals Wind Noise Management in Hearing Aids

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (03) ◽  
pp. 248-259
Author(s):  
Petri Korhonen
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Wind Noise ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Signal Processing Algorithms ◽  
Turbulent Airflow ◽  
Processing Algorithms ◽  
Noise Management

AbstractMany hearing aid users are negatively impacted by wind noise when spending time outdoors. Turbulent airflow around hearing aid microphones caused by the obstruction of wind can result in noise that is not only perceived as annoying but may also mask desirable sounds in the listening environment, such as speech. To mitigate the adverse effects of wind noise, hearing aid developers have introduced several technological solutions to reduce the amount of wind noise at the hearing aid output. Some solutions are based on mechanical modifications; more recently, sophisticated signal processing algorithms have also been introduced. By offering solutions to the wind noise problem, these signal processing algorithms can promote more optimal use of hearing aids during outdoor activities. This article reviews how wind noise is generated in hearing aids, outlines the technological challenges in wind noise management, and summarizes the technological solutions that have been proposed and/or implemented in modern hearing aids.

Evaluation of a Wind Noise Attenuation Algorithm on Subjective Annoyance and Speech-in-Wind Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (01) ◽  
pp. 046-057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petri Korhonen ◽  
Francis Kuk ◽  
Eric Seper ◽  
Martin Mørkebjerg ◽  
Majken Roikjer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Subjective Rating ◽  
Noise Attenuation ◽  
Wind Noise ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Phoneme Identification

AbstractWind noise is a common problem reported by hearing aid wearers. The MarkeTrak VIII reported that 42% of hearing aid wearers are not satisfied with the performance of their hearing aids in situations where wind is present.The current study investigated the effect of a new wind noise attenuation (WNA) algorithm on subjective annoyance and speech recognition in the presence of wind.A single-blinded, repeated measures design was used.Fifteen experienced hearing aid wearers with bilaterally symmetrical (≤10 dB) mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study.Subjective rating for wind noise annoyance was measured for wind presented alone from 0° and 290° at wind speeds of 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 m/sec. Phoneme identification performance was measured using Widex Office of Clinical Amplification Nonsense Syllable Test presented at 60, 65, 70, and 75 dB SPL from 270° in the presence of wind originating from 0° at a speed of 5 m/sec.The subjective annoyance from wind noise was reduced for wind originating from 0° at wind speeds from 4 to 7 m/sec. The largest improvement in phoneme identification with the WNA algorithm was 48.2% when speech was presented from 270° at 65 dB SPL and the wind originated from 0° azimuth at 5 m/sec.The WNA algorithm used in this study reduced subjective annoyance for wind speeds ranging from 4 to 7 m/sec. The algorithm was effective in improving speech identification in the presence of wind originating from 0° at 5 m/sec. These results suggest that the WNA algorithm used in the current study could expand the range of real-life situations where a hearing-impaired person can use the hearing aid optimally.

scholarly journals The Effect of Hearing Aid Technologies on Listening in an Automobile

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (06) ◽  
pp. 474-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsiang Wu ◽  
Elizabeth Stangl ◽  
Ruth A. Bentler ◽  
Rachel W. Stanziola
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Road Noise ◽  
Processing Scheme ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Directional Microphone ◽  
Omnidirectional Microphones

Background: Communication while traveling in an automobile often is very difficult for hearing aid users. This is because the automobile/road noise level is usually high, and listeners/drivers often do not have access to visual cues. Since the talker of interest usually is not located in front of the listener/driver, conventional directional processing that places the directivity beam toward the listener's front may not be helpful and, in fact, could have a negative impact on speech recognition (when compared to omnidirectional processing). Recently, technologies have become available in commercial hearing aids that are designed to improve speech recognition and/or listening effort in noisy conditions where talkers are located behind or beside the listener. These technologies include (1) a directional microphone system that uses a backward-facing directivity pattern (Back-DIR processing), (2) a technology that transmits audio signals from the ear with the better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to the ear with the poorer SNR (Side-Transmission processing), and (3) a signal processing scheme that suppresses the noise at the ear with the poorer SNR (Side-Suppression processing). Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of (1) conventional directional microphones and (2) newer signal processing schemes (Back-DIR, Side-Transmission, and Side-Suppression) on listener's speech recognition performance and preference for communication in a traveling automobile. Research Design: A single-blinded, repeated-measures design was used. Study Sample: Twenty-five adults with bilateral symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss aged 44 through 84 yr participated in the study. Data Collection and Analysis: The automobile/road noise and sentences of the Connected Speech Test (CST) were recorded through hearing aids in a standard van moving at a speed of 70 mph on a paved highway. The hearing aids were programmed to omnidirectional microphone, conventional adaptive directional microphone, and the three newer schemes. CST sentences were presented from the side and back of the hearing aids, which were placed on the ears of a manikin. The recorded stimuli were presented to listeners via earphones in a sound-treated booth to assess speech recognition performance and preference with each programmed condition. Results: Compared to omnidirectional microphones, conventional adaptive directional processing had a detrimental effect on speech recognition when speech was presented from the back or side of the listener. Back-DIR and Side-Transmission processing improved speech recognition performance (relative to both omnidirectional and adaptive directional processing) when speech was from the back and side, respectively. The performance with Side-Suppression processing was better than with adaptive directional processing when speech was from the side. The participants' preferences for a given processing scheme were generally consistent with speech recognition results. Conclusions: The finding that performance with adaptive directional processing was poorer than with omnidirectional microphones demonstrates the importance of selecting the correct microphone technology for different listening situations. The results also suggest the feasibility of using hearing aid technologies to provide a better listening experience for hearing aid users in automobiles.

Use of Silicone Hearing Aid Mold Material in Laryngotracheal Reconstruction

2005 ◽  
Vol 114 (10) ◽  
pp. 739-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda D. Heman-Ackah ◽  
Robert T. Sataloff
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Relapsing Polychondritis ◽  
Mold Material ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Patent Airway ◽  
Laryngotracheal Reconstruction ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Silicone Stent

Objectives: Endolaryngeal stenting in patients with irregularly shaped larynges can be challenging. In such cases, the use of a moldable yet reasonably rigid endolaryngeal stent is desirable. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with silicone hearing aid material as a moldable endolaryngeal stent in a patient with an atypically shaped larynx. Methods: A patient with relapsing polychondritis that resulted in complete stenosis of the subglottic airway underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction. Moldable silicone, commonly used to prepare ear canal molds for hearing aids, was molded into the neo-endolarynx to serve as a custom-made endolaryngeal stent. Results: The patient tolerated the moldable silicone stent well and had a patent airway with epithelialization 8 months after removal. Conclusions: Silicone mold material is a suitable substance for endolaryngeal stenting. It conforms to the configuration of the individual's airway, is tolerated well, can be removed relatively easily, and is a useful alternative to prefabricated stents in laryngotracheal reconstruction.

Effect of Canal Depth on Sound Pressure Level Distribution in Human Bilateral Ears

2011 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Jen Fang Yu ◽  
Wei De Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Stimulus Frequency ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Ear Canals ◽  
The Right

This study was to measure the sound pressure level distribution by ear canal resonance in the human left and right external auditory canals (EAC). The gain for different stimulus frequencies was analyzed at four different measuring depths (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm and 2.0 cm) from the entrance of the ear canal bilaterally. Comparative evaluation showed that the gain for different stimulus frequencies at a depth of 2.0 cm was consistent with the results of Dillon’s study. In addition, the gain for the right EAC at 4000 Hz was larger than that of the left EAC by 1.2 dB at 0.5 cm, 1.8 dB at 1.0 cm, and 0.8 dB at 1.5 cm. This seems to suggest that gain at 4000 Hz is more affected by depth in the right EAC than in the left EAC. This study further found that the gain at the stimulus frequency of 4000 Hz was more affected by the depth than at 2000 Hz for the bilateral ear canals respectively. These gain differences between the right and left ears were statistically significant (p<0.05) at any of four measuring depths. The findings of this study may have an understanding of gain distribution to have implications for microphone placement of custom-made bilateral hearing aids (i.e. ITC or CIC) as these are placed at different depths within the ear canal. Keywords: Sound pressure level; Canal depth; Ear canal resonance; Real ear measurement; External auditory canal

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