Real-time digital speech processing strategies for the hearing impaired

This paper deals with digital processing of speech as it pertains to the hearing impaired. The issues described in this paper deal with the development of a true real-time digital hearing aid. The system (based on Texas Instruments TMS320C3X) implements frequency shaping, noise reduction, interaural time delay, amplitude compression and various timing options. It also provides a testbed for future development. The device is referred to as the DIgital Programmable Hearing Aid (DIPHA). DIPHA uses a wide bandwidth (up to 16 kHz). DIPHA is a fully programmable device that permits us to program various speech processing algorithms and test them on hearing impaired subjects in the real world as well as in the laboratory.