"Two Ears Are Better Than One": Towards the Development of a Real-Time Crosstalk Cancellation System Based on Bone Conduction

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For those with ear issues unable to benefit from regular air conduction hearing aids, bone conduction-based hearing aids serve as a valuable alternative. However, when "crosstalk" occurs, sound intended for one ear inadvertently reaches the opposite ear through bone conduction (BC). This undesired sound transmission can limit the binaural advantages of using two such devices. Our project aims to develop a BC-based crosstalk cancellation system that improves binaural listening experiences. In 2022, we focused on the following aspects:(1) Identifying effective in-ear sensors for crosstalk cancellation: We assessed in-ear sensors contributing most to cochlear-level cancellation using pure-tone hearing thresholds, with and without crosstalk cancellation. Our findings revealed that using a probe microphone provided better results.(2) Examining sensor placements' impact on cancellation success: We explored the ear canal (probe microphone) and mastoid (accelerometer) locations. Sensor placement closer to the inner ear resulted in better perceived cancellation.(3) Determining optimal sound frequency range for cancellation: We targeted crosstalk cancellation at the sensor, not the cochlea, due to inaccessibility. The cancellation still reached the cochlea, but proved effective only at low frequencies.(4) Developing a real-time unilateral crosstalk cancellation prototype: We implemented our method on the Bela Mini Audio Platform, with a simple GUI enabling cancellation. Our system operated in real-time with low latency. A demo video is available online at https://youtu.be/D-Oy1AyythQ