Spectral content modification for robust feedback channel estimation

The invention relates to a listening device for processing an input sound to an output sound according to a user's needs. The invention further relates to a method of reducing acoustic feedback in a listening device and to the use of a listening device. The object of the present invention is to...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Jensen, Jesper, Elmedyb, Thomas Bo
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng ; fre ; ger
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The invention relates to a listening device for processing an input sound to an output sound according to a user's needs. The invention further relates to a method of reducing acoustic feedback in a listening device and to the use of a listening device. The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative scheme for feedback estimation in a listening device. The problem is solved in that the listening device comprises an input transducer for converting an input sound to an electric input signal, and an output transducer for converting a processed electric output signal to an output sound, a forward path being defined between the input transducer and the output transducer and comprising a signal processing unit adapted for processing an SPU-input signal originating from the electric input signal in a time-frequency representation comprising successive time frames each comprising a frequency spectrum of the signal in the time frame in question, the signal processing unit defining an input side and an output side of the forward path and comprising a spectral content modification unit adapted for modifying values of the signal of one or more regions of the frequency spectrum of a given time frame to provide that the modified values are less correlated to the corresponding time-frequency regions of the input signal than the unmodified output signal thereby providing an improved processed output signal, and a feedback loop from the output side to the input side comprising a feedback path estimation unit for estimating the effect of acoustic feedback from the output transducer to the input transducer, wherein the feedback path estimation unit is adapted to use the improved processed output signal in the estimation. This has the advantage of providing a better accuracy vs. tracking speed trade-off of the feedback path estimate. The invention may e.g. be used for listening devices prone to acoustic feedback, e.g. hearing aids, headsets or active earplugs.