• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.79-82
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• 1997

In this paper, a body-worn type digital hearing aid (DHA) based on a dedicated DSP chip is developed. A fitting software running on a PC supported by the Win95 OS is also developed. The fitting protocol is based on the NAL-R procedure applied to eight frequency bands, but it is designed to support a curvilinear fitting to cope with the nonlinear perception of hearing-impaired listeners. Preliminary subjective tests regarding the speech intelligibility and perceived quality revealed that the new DHA could be of benefit to hearing aid users.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.12-21
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• 2000

In this paper, we propose a novel hearing aid algorithm for sensorinural hearing loss restoration with multi-channel(band) dynamic range compression and psychoacoustics. In this way, we can present a normal perception condition to the impaired listener. The proposed algorithm make loudness scaling function achieve proper loudness level, and analysis masking property for the signal will be perceived to impaired listener, and then, restore normal spectral contrast using SMR(signal-to-masking ratio) defined by distance between the level of each frequency and masking threshold.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.102-110
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• 2017

In this paper, we have implemented an real-time adaptive feedback cancellation(AFC) algorithm that can be applied to multi-channel digital hearing aid. Multichannel digital hearing aid typically use the FFT filterbank based Wide Dynamic Range Compression(WDRC) algorithm to compensate for hearing loss. The implemented real-time acoustic feedback cancellation algorithm has one integrated structure using the same FFT filter bank with WDRC, which can be beneficial in terms of computation affecting the hearing aid battery life. In addition, when the AFC fails to operate due to nonlinear input and output, the reduction gain is applied to improve robustness in practical environment. The implemented algorithm can be further improved by adding various signal processing algorithm such as speech enhancement.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2004.08c
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• pp.755-758
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• 2004

A hearing aid performs the role of fitting in order to provide those with a hearing problem with a better hearing ability in ordinary circumstances. The existing Fitting system in the hearing aid is consisted somewhat complex, and simply performs the role of Fitting without any supervisions of those with a hearing problem. Such is these methods makes it unable to establish an organized supervision, and shows a problem in making high efficiency. In order to solve this problem mentioned as above, the based thesis have connected the Fitting program and the patient-management database program for the easy use by the user.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2017

In this paper, the realization of a directional digital hearing aid was considered. Conventional time domain time delay method was replaced with digital filters in order to make any general-purposed DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chip to produce the similar directivity pattern. Both the time delay algorithm and the digital filter algorithm were initially evaluated by Matlab (Matrix laboratory) for comparison, and it was confirmed by CSR 8675 Bluetooth DSP IC (Digital Signal Processing Integrated Circuit) chip firmware realization. Some remote control features by a smart phone was added to the smart hearing aid for user interface easiness.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2013

Persons with sensorineural hearing impairment have troubles in hearing at noisy environments because of their deteriorated hearing levels and low-spectral resolution of the auditory system and therefore, they use hearing aids to compensate weakened hearing abilities. Various algorithms for hearing loss compensation and environmental noise reduction have been implemented in the hearing aid; however, the performance of these algorithms vary in accordance with external sound situations and therefore, it is important to tune the operation of the hearing aid appropriately in accordance with a wide variety of sound situations. In this study, a sound classification algorithm that can be applied to the hearing aid was suggested. The proposed algorithm can classify the different types of speech situations into four categories: 1) speech-only, 2) noise-only, 3) speech-in-noise, and 4) music-only. The proposed classification algorithm consists of two sub-parts: a feature extractor and a speech situation classifier. The former extracts seven characteristic features - short time energy and zero crossing rate in the time domain; spectral centroid, spectral flux and spectral roll-off in the frequency domain; mel frequency cepstral coefficients and power values of mel bands - from the recent input signals of two microphones, and the latter classifies the current speech situation. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm could classify the kinds of speech situations with an accuracy of over 94.4%. Based on these results, we believe that the proposed algorithm can be applied to the hearing aid to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2013

Data from Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled(4th year, 187 workers) was used for analyzing the difference between hearing aid users and nonusers for their job satisfaction and daily life satisfaction. The analyses result shows that there are no significant differences in both job satisfaction and daily life satisfaction between hearing aid users and nonusers. However, job satisfaction of hearing aid users has a positive role in daily life satisfaction. Although hearing aids to the hearing impaired played very important role, it was thought to be resulted that some influence factors such as the increase of using IT devices and the expansion of communication support services weren't applied because of the nature of the panel data. These limitations of the study and implications are presented at the conclusion.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The relationship between hearing aid (HA) use and improvement in cognitive function is not fully known. This study aimed to determine whether HAs could recover temporal resolution or hearing in noise functions. Materials and Methods: We designed a prospective study with two groups: HA users and controls. Patients older than 45 years, with a pure tone average threshold of worse than 40 dB and a speech discrimination score better than 60% in both ears were eligible. Central auditory processing tests and hearing in noise tests (HINTs) were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the use of a monaural HA in the HA group compared to the control group. The changes in the evaluation parameters were statistically analyzed using the linear mixed model. Results: A total of 26 participants (13 in the HA and 13 in the control group) were included in this study. The frequency (p<0.01) and duration test (p=0.02) scores showed significant improvements in the HA group after 1 year, while the HINT scores showed no significant change. Conclusions: After using an HA for one year, patients performed better on temporal resolution tests. No improvement was documented with regard to hearing in noise.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.72-79
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The speech-in-noise test is typically performed using an audiometer. The results of the digit-in-noise recognition (DIN) test may be influenced by the flat frequency response of free-field audiometry and frequency of the hearing aid fit based on fitting rationale. This study aims to investigate the DIN test in unaided and aided conditions. Subjects and Methods: Thirty four adults with moderate and severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) participated in the study. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for 50% of the DIN test was obtained in the following two conditions: 1) the unaided condition, performed using an audiometer in a free field; and 2) aided condition, performed using a hearing aid with an unvented individual earmold that was fitted based on NAL-NL2. Results: There was a statistically significant elevation in the mean SNR for the severe SNHL group in both test conditions when compared with that of the moderate SNHL group. In both groups, the SNR for the aided condition was significantly lower than that of the unaided condition. Conclusions: Speech recognition in hearing-impaired patients can be realized by fitting hearing aids based on evidence-based fitting rationale rather than by measuring it using free-field audiometry measurement that is utilized in a routine clinic setup.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The relationship between hearing aid (HA) use and improvement in cognitive function is not fully known. This study aimed to determine whether HAs could recover temporal resolution or hearing in noise functions. Materials and Methods: We designed a prospective study with two groups: HA users and controls. Patients older than 45 years, with a pure tone average threshold of worse than 40 dB and a speech discrimination score better than 60% in both ears were eligible. Central auditory processing tests and hearing in noise tests (HINTs) were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the use of a monaural HA in the HA group compared to the control group. The changes in the evaluation parameters were statistically analyzed using the linear mixed model. Results: A total of 26 participants (13 in the HA and 13 in the control group) were included in this study. The frequency (p<0.01) and duration test (p=0.02) scores showed significant improvements in the HA group after 1 year, while the HINT scores showed no significant change. Conclusions: After using an HA for one year, patients performed better on temporal resolution tests. No improvement was documented with regard to hearing in noise.