Patent attributes
In a howling detection circuit, an audio signal voltage generator generates an audio signal voltage based on a level of an input audio signal. A capacitor is chargeable and dischargeable by the audio signal voltage and develops a monitor voltage. An indication circuit is activated depending on the monitor voltage to provide an alert indicating that a howling noise is contained in the input audio signal. A discharging element discharges the capacitor according to a first time constant when the audio signal voltage is lower the monitor voltage, thereby lowering the monitor voltage. A charging element charges the capacitor according to a second time constant being set greater than the first time constant when the audio signal voltage is higher than the monitor voltage, thereby raising the monitor voltage so as to activate the indication circuit.