This paper evaluates speech enhancement in binaural multimicrophone hearing aids by noise reduction algorithms based on the multichannel Wiener filter (MWF) and the MWF with partial noise estimate (MWF-N). Both algorithms are specifically developed to combine noise reduction with the preservation of binaural cues. Objective and perceptual evaluations were performed with different speech-in-mult...

Bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) have provided some success in improving spatial hearing abilities to patients, but with large variability in performance. One reason for the variability is that there may be a mismatch in the place-of-stimulation arising from electrode arrays being inserted at different depths in each cochlea. Goupell et al. [(2013b). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 133(4), 2272-2287] show...

Studies have demonstrated that conventional hearing protectors interfere with sound localization. This research examines possible benefits from advanced communications devices. Horizontal plane sound localization was compared in normal-hearing males with the ears unoccluded and fitted with Peltor H10A passive attenuation earmuffs, Racal Slimgard II communications muffs in active noise reduction...

Bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) greatly improve spatial hearing acuity for CI users, but substantial gaps still exist compared to normal-hearing listeners. For example, users have poorer localization skills, little or no binaural unmasking, and reduced release from masking. Multiple factors been identified that limit with CIs. These include degradation of cues due the various sound processing...

HYPOTHESIS To refine and extend the knowledge on cortical plasticity in single-sided deafness (SSD) by assessing magnetoencephalographic imaging in a well-defined group of subjects. BACKGROUND SSD causes difficulties with directional hearing, signal extraction in noise, and multispeaker identification and separation. In SSD, the ipsilateral auditory cortex is never powerfully driven by sound,...