Binaural beamforming and related digital processing for enhancement of signal-to-noise ratio in hearing aids
Christopher Schweitzer, Geetha Krishnan · Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery · 1996
Various digital signal processing techniques attempting to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of hearing aids have been explored recently. Beamforming is one approach among techniques employing microphone arrays. Hearing aids augmented with beamforming appear to provide highly directional listening. Such systems allow users to “steer” their hearing toward desirable signals and “deselect” undesirable noise. Based on binaural models, some beamforming approaches use rapid computations of phase and magnitude differences at the two ears to create areas of auditory “illumination” while attenuating other regions. Recent research suggests beamforming may provide hearing aid users with advantages in noisy environments.