Second Exam Flashcards
when was analog technology popular
until the end of the 1980s
how were adjustments made to the signal in analog technology
potentiometer trimmers (aka trim pots)
very basic what is analog signal processing
all physical signals are continuous in time and amplitude
digitally programmable analog (DPA)
- first generation of digital HAs (but did not digitize the signal)
- analog processing at the amplifier stage
- electroacoustic characteristics could be altered via computer programming
- –shaping freq response
- –limit HA output
- signal still stays analog (continuous time) throughout the entire process
digital signal processing at the level of the input signal
- DSP transforms an analog signal into a digital signal
- how?
- –HA must “sample” the input signal
- –input signal is sampled at discrete points in time
- –only these sampled points are used by the digital signal processor
- –the rest of the input signal is not considered
- –sampling of the signal takes place in the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter
digital signal processing after sampling
once the input signal has been sampled, quantization occurs
- turned into binary code
- the signal is either on (1) or off (0)
what are the specifications for digital signal processing (DSP)
- instructions/second (millions/second or MIPS)
- sampling rate
- number of bits
- current consumption
- processing delay
- physical size
what advanced signal processing does DSP allow for
- adaptive feedback control
- adaptive directional mics
- wind block
- echo block
advantages of analog over DSP
- established technology
* cost
disadvantages of analog over DSP
- limited signal processing
- no advanced features
- adjustments made with trim pots
- may not be able to find any for sale
advantages of DSP over analog
- miniturization
- low power consumption
- stability
- programmability
- complexity
disadvantages of
DSP over analog
- longer time delay b/t input and output signals than analog
* cost
what is an algorithm
- a process or set of rules to be followed
* basically, a set of instructions for how the DSP will manipulate the signal
what is the sequence HA uses to process sound in terms of algorithms
fitting algorithm
programming algorithm
sound-processing algorithm
fitting algorithm
- defines the parameters of amplification for each pt based on the audio
- manufacturer software will give recommendations for gain/output
- once pt data has been entered into software, “first fit” process will begin
programming algorithm
- set of instructions to download the fitting algorithm data to memory of HA
- must have temporary connection b/t HA and manufacturer’s software
sound processing algorithm
- defines how the HA will process the incoming signal
- how the HA actually manipulates the signal
- algorithm is completely downloaded inside the HA
the overall process of fitting
1) audio date from the pt is measured by fitting system
2) fitting algorithm= algorithm for specific pt
3) programming algorithm= programmer puts algorithm and data into HA memory
4) sound-processing algorithm= programmed DSP HAs
5) final fitting on pt
6) verification of correctness of fitting
what are the two goals of fitting HAs?
1) provide appropriate gain
2) increase SNR
how do we accomplish the two goals of fitting HAs?
1) we provide appropriate gain using gain and compression
2) we increase SNR by using directional mics and noise reduction algorithms
I/O function
a graph of input and output where input SPL is on the x-axis and output SPL is on the Y-axis
gain basic definition
the difference between input and output intensities
Maximum Power Output basic definition
(MPO)
*max SPL the hearing aid will produce
compression basic definition
gain of HA is varied based on the intensity of the incoming signal
what are the two static aspects of compression?
- compression threshold (CT)
- compression ratio
*static aspects of compression determine when and how much compression will be applied to the signal
what is the compression threshold (CT)
- the input SPL where compression begins
- sometimes referred to as:
- –kneepoint (KP)
- –threshold kneepoint (TK)
what is the compression ratio?
the change in input level needed to produce a 1 dB change in output level
*the amount of compression is provided by the hearing aid
input compression
- in analog aids: volume control (VC) placement dictates type of compression
- for input compression:
- aka Automatic Gain Control (input) (AGCi)
- VC located between amplifier and receiver
- VC affects both gain and MPO
- used in moderate-power HA’s
- signal reaches compressor before it reaches VC, therefore, it does not affect KP
output compression
for output compression:
- aka automatic gain control (output) (ACGo)
- VC located between mic and amplifier
- used in high power aids
- placement of VC only affects the gain, not MPO
- VC affects amount of input that reaches the compressor
clinical uses for input compression (ACGi)
- Mild-to-moderate SNHL
- Larger dynamic ranges
- Large fitting application
clincial uses for output compression (ACGo)
*Severe-to-profound SNHL
*Very small dynamic ranges
*Helps prevent damage to
residual hearing
*Often selected for children
MPO compression control
aka output limiting control
- typically used with output compression
- affects KP and MPO
- does not affect gain
Clinical uses:
- limits MPO
- protect residual hearing
threshold-Kneepoint “TK” control
- used with input compression
- –specifically with wide dynamic range compression
- affects KP and gain for soft and moderate inputs
- –,60dB SPL
- –noes not affect MPO
- clinic uses:
- –imitates function of OHC
output limiting compression (OLC)
*associated with output compression & MPO control
*high KP and high CR
—high KP of >60 dB SPL
—high CR is >4:1 to 10:1 (textbook definition)
—–clinically, >8:1 to 10:1
*Provides a strong degree of compression over a
narrow range of inputs = Super compression
*OLC with MPO control provides less distortion than
peak clipping
*Limits the output of HA to protect residual hearing &
avoid loudness discomfort with loud incoming sounds.
wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
- associated with input compression and TK control
- low KP and low CR
- –low KP < 60dB SPL
- –low CR is >1:1 to 4:1 (textbook definition)
- —-clinically <2:1
- provides a weak degree of compression over a wide range of input intensities
- “low-level” compression: active with low-moderate level inputs
- “medium-level” or “high-level” compression: active with higher level moderate inputs
expansion
- opposite of compression
- reduces the gain for very soft input sounds
- why do we need this?
- –reduces internal mic and amplifier noise
- –reduces low-level environmental noise
- examples of CR for expansion:
- —-1:5
- —-1:2
dynamic aspects of compression (2)
attack time
release time
*dynamic aspects of compression determine how fast or slow compression will begin and end
Attack Time (AT)
- the time taken for output to stabilize to within 3dB of its final level after the input to the HA has increased above the KP
- basically time taken for the compressor to react to an increase in signal level and reduce gain
release time (RT)
- the time taken for the output signal to increase to within 4dB of its final value following a decrease in input level below the KP
- basically the length of time taken for the HA to come out of compression and restore gain
what happens when the dynamic aspects of compression are too slow?
- loud sounds may be uncomfortably loud
- compression acts too slowly
- a sudden and loud transient will not be compressed fast enough
what happens when the dynamic aspects of compression are too fast?
- gain fluctuates rapidly
- may cause a “pumping” sensation
- may lead to distortion of a signal