Binaural multi-channel Wiener filtering for hearing aids: Preserving interaural time and level differences

This paper presents an extension of the binaural multi-channel Wiener filtering algorithm discussed in [1]. The goal of this paper is to preserve both the interaural time difference (ITD) and interaural level difference (ILD) of the speech and noise components. This is done by extending the cost function to incorporate terms for the interaural transfer functions (ITF) of the speech and noise components. Using weights, the emphasis on the preservation of the ITFs can be controlled in addition to the emphasis on noise reduction. Adapting these parameters allows one to preserve the ITFs of the speech and noise component, and therefore ITD and ILD cues, while enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio.