Analysis of two generic Wiener filtering concepts for binaural speech enhancement in hearing aids

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis for two generic single-channel Wiener filtering concepts for binaural hearing aids, namely, a dual-channel filter approach (individual filters for individual channels) and a single filter approach (one filter applied to both channels). After a general description of the concept, this scheme is thoroughly discussed for a two-source scenario and especially the influence of a common noise estimate on the two different concepts is analyzed in detail. Moreover, by evaluating the interaural transfer function (ITF) comprising the interaural level differences (ILDs) as well as interaural phase/time differences (IPDs/ITDs), the influence of both Wiener filter approaches on these binaural cues is analyzed. The theoretical findings are confirmed by experimental results.