Estimating the range between an acoustic source and a microphone is a central problem in microphone-array processing. Although many approaches have been proposed in the literature, these tend to require knowledge of the relative microphone positions. We propose a range estimation method, for use in reverberant environments and where the relative positioning of the elements of a microphone-array...

We propose a novel information-theoretic approach for evaluating microphone arrays that relies on the array physics and geometry rather than the underlying beamforming algorithm. The analogy between Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless communication channel and the acoustic channel of microphone arrays is exploited to define information measures of microphone arrays, which provide upp...

This paper presents a general method for the integration of distributed microphone arrays for localization of a sound source. The recently proposed sound localization technique, known as SRP-PHAT, is shown to be a special case of themore general microphone array integrationmechanism presented here. The proposed technique utilizes spatial likelihood functions (SLFs) produced by each microphone a...

Automatic directionality algorithms currently implemented in hearing aids assume that hearing-impaired persons with similar hearing losses will prefer the same microphone processing mode in a specific everyday listening environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the robustness of microphone preferences in everyday listening. Two hearing-impaired persons made microphone preference ju...

Although cochlear implant (CI) users have enjoyed good speech recognition in quiet, they still have difficulties understanding speech in noise. We conducted three experiments to determine whether a directional microphone and an adaptive multichannel noise reduction algorithm could enhance CI performance in noise and whether Speech Transmission Index (STI) can be used to predict CI performance i...

The relative fundamental frequency (RFF) surrounding the production of a voiceless consonant has previously been estimated using unprocessed and low-pass filtered microphone signals, but it can also be estimated using a neck-placed accelerometer signal that is less affected by vocal tract formants. Determining the effects of signal type on RFF will allow for comparisons across studies and aid i...

Flexible microphone and earphone prototypes for wearable applications were developed by using ElectroMechanical Film (EMFi). A suitable application for the developed headset can be, for instance, as accessory of rescue services or sport enthusiasts. Due its versatile properties, EMFi can be used both as microphone and earphone material. The sensor operation is based on thickness changes caused ...