Hearing-Aid Noise Reduction Circuitry With Neural Feedback To Improve Speech Comprehension

摘要

A hearing prosthetic has microphones configured to receive audio with signal processing circuitry for reducing noise; apparatus configured to receive a signal derived from a neural interface, and to determine an interest signal when the user is interested in processed audio; and a transducer for providing processed audio to a user. The signal processing circuitry is controlled by the interest signal. In particular embodiments, the neural interface is electroencephalographic electrodes processed to detect a P300 interest signal, in other embodiments the interest signal is derived from a sensorimotor rhythm signal. In embodiments, the signal processing circuitry reduces noise by receiving sound from along a direction of focus, while rejecting sound from other directions; the direction of focus being set according to timing of the interest signal. In other embodiments, a sensorimotor rhythm signal is determined and binned, with direction of audio focus set according to amplitude.

主权项

1. A hearing prosthetic comprising:
at least two microphones configured to receive audio; apparatus configured to receive a signal derived from a neural interface, and signal processing circuitry to determine an interest signal when the user is interested in processed audio; the signal processing circuitry being further configured to produce processed audio by reducing noise in received audio, the signal processing circuitry controlled by the interest signal; and transducer apparatus configured to present processed audio to a user.