Hearing Impaired Get Help for Internet Phone Calls
By Borgobello, Bridget; Gizmag,Publication Date: August 17, 2010
Article describes a new technology that helps hearing impaired users of telephones working through the Internet. When telephone conversations are conducted via computer networks using the Internet Protocol, ambient noise and acoustic echoes often impede the conversation, which is especially problematic for people with hearing loss. A digital solution has been developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology in Germany. The Speech-Improved Telephony project utilizes algorithms typically used for hearing aids to detect background noise and reduce it to a minimum. The system can be individually programmed for each call to deliver a consistently audible sound by pressing on icons in the shape of flowers on the telephone’s touch screen representing two audio signals. Fraunhofer’s system can be applied to most audio devices and scientists have already installed them on an iPod Touch, a telephone system, a video conferencing system, and a television.
Published by: Gizmag Pty Ltd (Website:http://www.gizmag.com/)
Link to text: http://www.gizmag.com/hearing-impaired-get-help-for-internet-phone-calls/16044/
