Scientists have developed AI-powered noise-canceling headphones that focus on a single voice, blocking out all other sounds, even if the target moves.
Main Points:
- AI technology called “Target Speech Hearing” focuses on one voice in noisy environments.
- Uses a small computer embedded in commercial headphones to identify and isolate the target voice.
- Potential applications include aiding people with hearing impairments.
Summary:
A new advancement in noise-canceling technology involves AI-powered headphones capable of isolating a specific voice from a noisy environment. The system, called “Target Speech Hearing” (TSH), employs a small computer embedded in consumer headphones to lock onto a chosen voice, blocking out all other noises. This technology is designed to enhance auditory perception, especially in crowded spaces, by allowing the wearer to focus on a single speaker even if they move or turn away.
Developed by researchers at the University of Washington, TSH aims to assist those with hearing impairments and improve overall audio experiences. The headphones use machine learning algorithms to register and maintain the target voice, even amidst similar volume distractions. This innovative approach builds on previous work in “semantic hearing,” where users could select preset sounds to hear while canceling others. The future goal is to integrate this technology into everyday devices like earbuds and hearing aids.
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