Amplification of a speech signal in dependence on the input level

摘要

Hearing apparatuses, in particular hearing aids, have improved intelligibility. This is accomplished by a method for amplifying a speech signal for a hearing apparatus by detection of an input sound, determining an input level of the input sound and amplification of the input sound. A mean input level of the input sound is determined and it is established whether the input sound has a speech component. If not, the input signal is amplified in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined first amplification characteristic. However, if a speech component is found, the input signal is amplified in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined second amplification characteristic. The second amplification characteristic is formed in dependence on the mean input level such that amplification is increased with respect to first amplification characteristic in a predefined level interval below the mean input level.

主权项

1. A method for amplifying a speech signal for a hearing apparatus, which comprises the steps of:
detecting an input sound via the hearing apparatus; determining an input level of the input sound; amplifying the input sound via the hearing apparatus; determining a mean broadband input level of the input sound; determining if the input sound has a speech component; amplifying the input signal in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined first amplification characteristic if the speech component does not exist; and amplifying the input signal in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined second amplification characteristic if the speech component exists, the predefined second amplification characteristic being formed in dependence on the mean broadband input level such that amplification is increased with respect to the predefined first amplification characteristic in a predefined level interval below the mean broadband input level, wherein the predefined level interval is a mean interval between a vowel level and a consonant level and the predefined second amplification characteristic lies in a level range of a predefined breadth above the predefined first amplification characteristic.