Encoding Place-of-Articulation in Frequency-Lowered Speech for Hearing Devices
- Technology Benefits
- The system:ΓÇóAllows for a conditional frequency lowering, avoiding frequency lowering of non-targeted signals as observed with conventional techniquesΓÇóImproves recognition of fricative and affricate consonantsΓÇóEnables enhancement of spectral separation among different fricative consonantsΓÇóEnables distinction of different places of articulation among fricative consonants, without compromising the recognition of other consonants (nasals, semivowels, etc.)ΓÇóAllows for improved speech recognition and intelligibility for individuals with hearing impairmentΓÇóEnables development of signal processing algorithms for hearing devices at a commercial scale
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- *Abstract
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Use of frequency lowering mechanisms to improve speech recognition in case of hearing impaired individuals (especially the ones with high frequency hearing loss) has been known since long. Some of the key approaches used for this purpose are channel vocoding, slow playback, transposition, and frequency shift using frequency compressions. However, these techniques are associated with several limitations such as unnatural sound quality, frequency lowering of non-targeted signals, and use of same acoustic cues for different phonemes. This novel frequency lowering system effectively allows for a place of articulation in frequency lowered speech for hearing devices, thereby overcoming prior art limitation
- *Principal Investigator
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Name: Ying Yee Kong
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
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