Speech enhancement algorithm for cochlear implants to suppress multi-directional speech noise

GONG Qin; RAO Cheng; ZHENG Shuo

doi:10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2019.21.022

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Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology) ›› 2020, Vol. 60 ›› Issue (2) : 181-188. DOI: 10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2019.21.022

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Speech enhancement algorithm for cochlear implants to suppress multi-directional speech noise

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Abstract

Cochlear implant users often cannot clearly hear sounds in complex sound environments, especially with competing talkers. This paper describes a speech enhancement algorithm based on closely-spaced microphones. The algorithm extracts a delay parameter and defines a mask matrix based on this parameter to distinguish sound sources having different orientations. The model uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to implement the algorithm. Tests indicate that the robust algorithm improves the signal-to-noise ratio. The algorithm has short single-frame run times and can be integrated with commonly used speech coding strategies, which are needed for real-time computing in cochlear implants.

Key words

cochlear implant / competitive speech noise / digital signal processing

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GONG Qin, RAO Cheng, ZHENG Shuo. Speech enhancement algorithm for cochlear implants to suppress multi-directional speech noise[J]. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology). 2020, 60(2): 181-188 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2019.21.022

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