Patent ID: 6108431
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
A method for limiting a signal transmitted to a human ear in dependence on an incoming acoustical signal, comprising the steps of:providing a limiting hearing apparatus, said apparatus generating, from an input acoustical signal (S), a signal (A) transmitted to the human ear with a controllable transfer characteristic;storing a threshold value (MAL) in said apparatus;generating a signal dependent on loudness of said transmitted signal (L(S,P); L.sub.I (S,P.sub.I)) in said apparatus;reducing loudness of said transmitted signal (A) by adjusting parameters of said transfer characteristic which determine the loudness (L; L.sub.I) of said signal (A) transmitted to the ear as soon as said signal dependent on loudness (L; L.sub.I) of said transmitted signal (A) reaches said threshold value (MAL)calculating loudness (L.sub.N (S,P.sub.N) as perceived by a standard on an acoustical signal (S) input to said apparatus;calculating loudness (L.sub.I (S,P.sub.I)) as perceived by an individual on said acoustical signal and dependent on loudness of said transmitted signal (A);calculating a desired hearing aid transfer characteristic from said calculated loudnesses of standard and individual;adjusting said transfer characteristic (T) of said hearing apparatus according to said desired transfer characteristic;performing said limiting by additionally adjusting said desired transfer characteristic in dependence on said loudness of said transmitted signal (A) and said threshold value (MAL).