Switching Hearing Implant Coding Strategies

摘要

An input sound signal is processed to generate band pass signals. Band pass envelope signals are extracted that reflect time varying amplitude of the band pass signals. Stimulation timing signals are generated that reflect the temporal fine structure features of the band pass signals. A key feature value present in the input sound signal or the band pass signals is monitored. For one or more selected band pass signals, a stimulation coding strategy is selected from multiple possible stimulation coding strategies based on the key feature value. The multiple possible stimulation coding strategies including an envelope-based stimulation coding strategy based on the band pass envelope signals, and an event-based stimulation coding strategy based on the stimulation timing signals. The selected stimulation coding strategy is used to produce the electrode stimulation signals for the electrode contacts. The arrangement automatically switches between different selected stimulation coding strategies as a function of changes in the key feature value.

主权项

1. A computer based method implemented using at least one hardware implemented processor for generating electrode stimulation signals to electrode contacts in an implanted cochlear implant electrode array, the method comprising:
using the at least one hardware implemented processor to perform the steps of:
processing an input sound signal to generate a plurality of band pass signals, wherein each band pass signal represents a band pass channel defined by an associated range of audio frequencies, and wherein each band pass signal has a characteristic amplitude and temporal fine structure features;extracting band pass envelope signals reflecting time varying amplitude of the band pass signals;generating stimulation timing signals reflecting the temporal fine structure features of the band pass signals;monitoring a key feature value present in the input sound signal or the band pass signals;for one or more selected band pass signals and for a plurality of stimulation coding strategies, selecting a stimulation coding strategy based on the key feature value, wherein the plurality of stimulation coding strategies include:
i. an envelope-based stimulation coding strategy based on the band pass envelope signals, andii. an event-based stimulation coding strategy based on the stimulation timing signals;using the selected stimulation coding strategy to produce the electrode stimulation signals for the electrode contacts; andswitching between different selected stimulation coding strategies as a function of changes in the key feature value.