
GA3222 Preliminary Data Sheet
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February 2006
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7.2 Adaptive Directional Microphone
Adaptive directional microphones offer flexibility over fixed directional microphones
as noise from any direction can be optimally rejected. The architecture of this
particular adaptive directional microphone combines the input from two
microphones to achieve the desired response. The inherently flat frequency
response of the adaptive directional microphone eliminates the need for a separate
frequency compensation algorithm.
An adjustable threshold criterion also allows the Adaptive Directional Microphone
to automatically adapt to an omni-directional response when the environment is
relatively quiet. In situations where a directional response is noisy (e.g. wind) an
omni-directional response is also automatically used. In the case of a diffuse sound
field, the adaptive directional microphone adapts to a super-cardioid polar pattern,
which is optimal for this situation.
7.2.1 Threshold Criterion
The recommended threshold for the adaptive directional microphone is
65-70dBSPL. This threshold ensures that in quiet environments an
omni-directional response is adopted, and that in a moderately noisy environment
the appropriate directional response is used.
7.3 Noise Reduction
The internal noise reduction system is a single-channel expansion scheme
operating to reduce the broad-band noise generated internally in the hearing aid –
particularly in the microphone.
The intensity of both the noise and signal after the front microphone pre-amp is
shaped with an approximately A-weighted filter designed to more accurately reflect
the sensitivity of the human ear. This weighting means that the INR threshold is at
a fairly constant sensation level across frequency, as opposed to a constant
intensity. The aggressiveness of the noise reduction algorithm is adjustable.
7.3.1 Expansion Threshold
Test box measures show that the speech intelligibility index of soft speech
(55dBSPL LTASS) is not compromised with an expansion threshold of 50 - 55
dBSPL.
The recommended expansion threshold setting for the fixed directional
microphone is 50 - 55 dBSPL .
7.3.2 Expansion Ratio
The recommended expansion ratio is 0.7 to minimize audible effect when the
hearing aid moves in and out of expansion. Ratios less than 0.6 are not
recommended.