A volume knob for ambient sound: seamless ambient sound adjustment in wireless headphones using hybrid active noise control

Merz P. A volume knob for ambient sound: seamless ambient sound adjustment in wireless headphones using hybrid active noise control. In: 2025 AES International Conference on Headphone Technology. Audio Engineering Society; 2025. Paper 9. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22935

@inproceedings{Merz2025_22935,
  author = {Merz, Philipp},
  title = {{A volume knob for ambient sound: seamless ambient sound adjustment in wireless headphones using hybrid active noise control}},
  booktitle = {2025 AES International Conference on Headphone Technology},
  note = {Paper 9},
  year = {2025},
  month = aug,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22935}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - A volume knob for ambient sound: seamless ambient sound adjustment in wireless headphones using hybrid active noise control
AU  - Merz, Philipp
T2  - 2025 AES International Conference on Headphone Technology
M1  - Paper 9
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/08/18
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22935
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - Current wireless head- and earphones typically offer "noise cancellation" and "transparency" modes, allowing users to choose between maximum attenuation and full awareness of ambient sound. This paper presents a novel method for introducing multiple intermediate steps between these extremes, enabling users to select their preferred level of ambient sound while maintaining consistent sound characteristics across all attenuation levels. Unlike previous approaches, this method ensures a uniform auditory experience akin to a volume knob for ambient sound. The paper details the simulation of active headphone attenuation and an approach to the design of feed forward filters to achieve the desired attenuation levels.
ER  -