SBIR Phase I: Digital Hearing Aid with Computer Trainer

这个小企业创新研究的第一阶段项目涉及一种数字助听器，该助听器能够独立调整离散频率，并与训练计算机耦合。这种助听器将使用非线性自适应滤波器来消除不必要的噪声，并与计算机接口进行训练和反馈。这是一系列发展的第一步，使计算机能够“教”或帮助语言治疗师训练听力受损儿童更好的语言技能。第一步将是演示一个能够提供专门的频率选择放大的设备。然后，这个设备将与一台能够与儿童互动的计算机（和必要的硬件）一起实现，作为增强儿童缺失的特定声音的辅助。开发系列的第二步是与听力学家和语言治疗师合作开发一个实施训练计算机的程序。第三步是收集相关儿童的结果数据库，作为一种模式识别装置，以加快语言发展的过程。使用这种设备的听力残疾儿童的潜在商业市场估计每年有10000人。然而，真正的潜力在于提高孩子的生活、能力和机会，因为她能够像正常孩子一样说话。该奖项由小企业创新研究计划和刺激竞争研究实验计划（EPSCoR）支持。

This Small Business innovation Research Phase I project deals with a digital hearing aid with the ability to adjust a discrete number of frequencies independently and couple to a training computer. This hearing aid will use a non-linear adaptive filter to eliminate unwanted noise and interface to a computer for training and feedback. This is the first step in a development series to enable a computer to `teach`' or provide assistance to speech therapist in training hearing impaired children better language skills. The first step will be to demonstrate a device capable of providing the specialized frequency selective amplifications. This device will then be implemented with a computer (and necessary hardware) that is capable of interacting with a child as an aid to enhance specific sounds the child is missing. The second step in the development series is to work with audiologists and speech therapists developing a program implementing the training computer. The third step is to collect a data base of the results of the children involved as a pattern recognition device to speed up the process of language development. The potential commercial market for hearing disabled children using this device is estimated to be in the 10,000's every year. The true potential, however lies in the enhancement of a child's life, ability and opportunity because she is able to speak as normal children do. This award is supported by the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).