Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMTEveryone has their own auditory perception, own sound preference and own sensation of loudness. From the age of fifty onwards, normal hearing ability also deteriorates in many people. The Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA develops signal processing methods to adapt the audio output of telephones and consumer electronics devices to individual hearing needs. By integrating methods from hearing aid technology, it is possible to selectively optimise the dynamic range of high- or low-frequency sounds for the individual user. Studies have shown that people suffering from hearing loss also benefit from the technology, which allows them to more easily understand telephone conversations even under conditions with background noise, for example. Together with end users, the scientists develop user interfaces for adaptation of the audio output.
Each person hears differently
The Fraunhofer researchers develop adaptation methods and user interfaces so that persons with both normal and impaired hearing can adjust the audio output to their personal hearing needs themselves at any time.
Hearing Assistance for Telephone and Consumer Electronics
Range of Services
- Integration of hearing assistance methods in telephone and consumer electronics applications
- Development and evaluation of adaptation methods and user interfaces
- Embedding signal processing in hardware systems (microprocessor and DSP)
- Adaptation for telephone systems (e.g. Asterisk) and internet telephony (Voice over IP)
- Integration of signal processing in mobile applications (apps)
- Evaluation studies