A Two-Microphone Noise Reduction System for Cochlear Implant Users with Nearby Microphones—Part I: Signal Processing Algorithm Design and Development. (8th June 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kompis Kompis, Martin Martin; Bertram Bertram, Matthias Matthias; François François, Jacques Jacques; Pelizzone Pelizzone, Marco Marco
• Other Names: Chang Chang Chein-I Chein-I Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: EURASIP journal on advances in signal processing. Volume 2008(2008)
• Publication Date: 2008-06-08
• Subjects: Signal processing -- Periodicals; Traitement du signal; Signal processing; Periodicals; 621.3822
• DOI: 10.1155/2008/647502
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-6172

Abstract

Abstract : Users of cochlear implant systems, that is, of auditory aids which stimulate the auditory nerve at the cochlea electrically, often complain about poor speech understanding in noisy environments. Despite the proven advantages of multimicrophone directional noise reduction systems for conventional hearing aids, only one major manufacturer has so far implemented such a system in a product, presumably because of the added power consumption and size. We present a physically small (intermicrophone distance 7 mm) and computationally inexpensive adaptive noise reduction system suitable for behind-the-ear cochlear implant speech processors. Supporting algorithms, which allow the adjustment of the opening angle and the maximum noise suppression, are proposed and evaluated. A portable real-time device for test in real acoustic environments is presented.