Noise reduction in audio signals based on the perceptual coding approach

Abstract

A new concept for the reduction of noise affecting audio signals transmitted in telecommunication channels is proposed. This concept is exploiting some features of the human auditory system. A strong subjective effect of noise suppression in noisy audio can be obtained by uplifting the masking thresholds above the estimated level of the noisy components or by reducing this level in such a way that the components be maintained just below the masking thresholds. The foundations of the engineered method together with the appropriate algorithms are described. A discussion on the results of experiments carried out and some conclusions are also included. The main focus is put on the perceptual foundations of the noise reduction method.