IHSIM 1.0.1

Impaired Hearing Simulation (IHSIM): A Professional Review

The Impaired Hearing Simulation (IHSIM) app offers distinct functions for simulating both acoustic hearing loss and cochlear implant processing. It effectively processes audio input from iOS devices in real-time, making it a versatile tool in auditory perception research.

In the acoustic hearing loss simulation, users benefit from customizable spectral filtering tailored to an individual audiogram. The application provides six presets reflecting commonly encountered audiogram profiles. Additionally, a dynamic range compressor and a frequency smearing algorithm are incorporated to flatten the signal's spectrum while implementing minor pitch modulation.

The cochlear implant simulation employs a filterbank vocoder that allows users to choose the number of frequency bands and the type of carrier signal, which can be either noise or sine wave vocoder. Users can also select frequency divisions based on logarithmic or Greenwood functions, alongside comprehensive control over overall bandwidth. The app accurately models both electric-only and hybrid acoustic-electric cochlear implants, further accommodating various monaural and binaural stimulation options.

Headphones and Sennheiser Smart AMBEO Headset

Developed through the Sennheiser Developers Program, this app is optimized for use with the Smart AMBEO Headset, harnessing its augmented reality features to process stereo input signals. However, it remains fully functional with standard headphones featuring a mono microphone input. Users are strongly advised to utilize headphones for an enhanced experience.

For Research and Educational Purposes

IHSIM is primarily intended for auditory perception research and may serve additional educational roles pertaining to hearing loss. It is important to note that this application is not designed for medical purposes.

Information

Further resources related to the app can be accessed at: hackaudio.com