Developing an audio device that caters to the individual sound preferences of users is a daunting task. Each person has their own listening preferences, which depend on various factors such as age and hearing ability. Therefore, factory settings for audio solutions cannot equally appeal to all listeners. The usual adjustment options also have limitations.
However, the Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speech, and Audio Technology HSA of the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT has developed adaptive algorithms as well as intuitive methods for adjusting personal sound. Together with a customer, this technology has now been successfully integrated in headphones as well.
A Simple and Intuitive Adjustment of Sound Preferences
The Oldenburg Branch HSA of Fraunhofer IDMT has developed a method and algorithms to enable a simple and intuitive adjustment of sound preferences without complex and rigid equalizers. On an intuitive user interface, users select their favorite sound along the instrumentation of a demo song in a playful manner. In just a few steps, a virtual assistant inquires about sound preferences for normal and quiet sound volumes of different instruments. Once set, the sound profile has a positive effect on the overall sound.
This technology can be integrated in devices with sound reproduction such as TVs, smart phones, soundbars or infotainment systems in cars as well as on streaming or media platforms. Fraunhofer researchers have paid special attention to a user-friendly application of the technology in developing sound personalization.
Overcoming Obstacles to Sound Personalization
“Each person has a personal sound preference. The usual sound adjustment options do not take into account how individual loudness perception affects these preferences—or users are discouraged by the complexity of the options and do not use them. Our technology reduces these obstacles because it can be used without knowledge of levels and frequencies and aims to create the individually best sound for every audio volume,” notes Dr. Jan Rennies-Hochmuth, Head of Personalized Hearing Systems at Fraunhofer IDMT.
“We are happy to have implemented this technology, which we call YourSound, in the headphone product category, thereby making it available to a wider community of users. In the past, we were able to successfully adapt this technological concept for fast and individual sound adjustment to multimedia systems in cars,” summarizes Dr. Jens-E. Appell, Head of Department, Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speed and Audio Technology HSA.
Implementation in Sennheiser Consumer Headphones
The technology for personalizing sound has been successfully implemented in Sennheiser consumer headphones together with Sonova Holding AG. This integration will allow consumers to easily adjust their sound preferences without the need for complex settings. This will result in an optimum sound experience for all users, regardless of their individual preferences.
The development of this technology is a significant breakthrough in the field of sound personalization. The intuitive and user-friendly interface will enable users to easily adjust their sound preferences, resulting in an optimum sound experience for all users. The integration of this technology in Sennheiser consumer headphones will allow a wider community of users to benefit from this revolutionary technology.
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