Patent ID: 8396224
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A method of automatic switching between an omnidirectional (OMNI) microphone mode and a directional (DIR) microphone mode in a binaural hearing aid comprising a first microphone system for provision of a first input signal, a second microphone system for provision of a second input signal, where the first microphone system is adapted to be placed in or at a first ear of a user, the second microphone system is adapted to be placed in or at a second ear of said user, the method comprising: obtaining spectral and temporal modulations of the first input signal and the second input signal; evaluating the spectral and temporal modulations of the first input signal and the second input signal, wherein the act of evaluating comprises calculating a first evaluation index of speech intelligibility for the first input signal, calculating a second evaluation index of speech intelligibility for the second input signal, comparing the first evaluation index for the first input signal with a first threshold value, and comparing the second evaluation index for the second input signal with the first threshold value; and setting the binaural hearing aid to the omnidirectional (OMNI) microphone mode or to the directional (DIR) microphone mode based on a result from the act of evaluating.