Multiband Audio Compression Enhancement Using Adaptive Filtering for Moderate Sensorineural Hearing Impairment

A smart hearing aid is designed to enhance sound perception for individuals with hearing impairments. Since the introduction of the first hearing aid, which utilized a vacuum tube in the 1800s, significant advancements have been made, particularly in the past few decades [1]. The processing of input sound relies on various algorithms, including filtering and compression. The compressor plays a crucial role in adjusting the dynamic range of the input signal to match the hearing-impaired (HI) individual’s dynamic range. Its parameters are fine-tuned based on the patient’s audiogram and sound discomfort level, with a multi-band compressor employed for this purpose.Filtering, on the other hand, is a key technique that directly influences the compressor’s performance and responds differently to varying noise levels. An adaptive filter is used to ensure noise reduction is appropriately adjusted according to the type of interference. The integrated system begins by filtering the input audio before applying multi-band compression. Experimental results demonstrated significant improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and overall sound perception.