Abstract: In one example, an implantable lead includes a substrate and an electrically conductive material disposed on the substrate to form a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit includes a proximal end adapted to electrically connect to an implantable processor, a distal portion adapted to stimulate a cochlear nerve, and a lead body extending from the proximal end to the distal portion, the lead body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of electrical traces adapted to carry electrical signals from the proximal end to the distal portion. A flag extension is formed in the substrate and extends laterally outward from the lead body longitudinal axis. A method for forming a cochlear lead with a flag extension is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions. Cochlear implant systems include a circuit board having electronic circuitry configured to generate one or more signals configured to direct electrical stimulation of one or more stimulation sites within a patient, an induction coil configured to transmit a telemetry signal by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between the induction coil and the circuit board.

Abstract: A cochlear lead includes a thermoformed circuit with a substrate with electrodes formed on the substrate and shaped to curve around a longitudinal axis of the cochlear lead. Traces are also formed on the substrate and connected to the electrodes. Intermediate sections between the electrodes may be curved about an axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Sound processor housings, sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming an implantable electrode (100) includes exposing a conductive surface of the electrode (100) with a first application of an excimer laser (215) and creating a first surface texture on a conductive surface with a second application of the excimer laser. In one example, a low impedance implantable electrode includes a conductive surface and a coating disposed over the conductive surface. The coating may have a lower contact impedance with biological tissue than the conductive surface. At least a portion of the coating has an excimer laser textured surface.

Abstract: Sound processors with light transmissive seals and systems including such sound processors are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a headpiece module configured to be affixed to a head of a patient and comprising a primary sound processor configured to generate stimulation parameters used to direct an auditory prosthesis implanted within the patient to apply electrical stimulation representative of one or more audio signals to the patient and 2) a sound processor module separate from the headpiece module and configured to be selectively and communicatively coupled to the headpiece module. The sound processor module includes a secondary sound processor configured to detect a communicative coupling of the sound processor module to the headpiece module and contribute to the generation of one or more of the stimulation parameters while the sound processor module is communicatively coupled to the headpiece module. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for stimulation of a patient's ipsilateral cochlea, having at least two spaced apart patient-worn microphones for providing first and second audio signals from ambient sound; a sound processor for generating an ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal in a plurality of output channels from at least one of the input audio signals; and a stimulation assembly for being implanted within the ipsilateral cochlea and having a plurality of stimulation channels for ipsilateral stimulation of the patient's hearing according to the ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal. The sound processor comprising a DOA unit for determining periodically a main direction of incidence of ambient sound from a sound source by analyzing the first and second audio signals, and a directional information coding unit for coding information concerning the determined main direction of incidence in the ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal in manner to enable the patient to localize the sound source.

Abstract: An exemplary method of enhancing pitch of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient includes 1) determining a frequency spectrum of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient, the frequency spectrum comprising a plurality of frequency bins that each contain spectral energy, 2) generating a modified spectral envelope of the frequency spectrum of the audio signal, 3) identifying each frequency bin included in the plurality of frequency bins that contains spectral energy above the modified spectral envelope and each frequency bin included in the plurality of frequency bins that contains spectral energy below the modified spectral envelope, 4) enhancing the spectral energy contained in each frequency bin identified as containing spectral energy above the modified spectral envelope, and 5) compressing the spectral energy contained in each frequency bin identified as containing spectral energy below the modified spectral envelope. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) device includes 1) a detection facility configured to detect audio content presented to a patient and included in an acoustic stimulation frequency range, 2) an acoustic stimulation management facility configured to direct a loud-speaker to apply acoustic stimulation representative of the audio content included in the acoustic stimulation frequency range to the patient, and 3) an electrical stimulation management facility configured to direct a cochlear implant implanted within the patient to apply sub-threshold electrical stimulation to the patient by way of one or more electrodes disposed within an apical region of a cochlea of the patient together with the application of the acoustic stimulation. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An at least partially implantable hearing aid has an input transducer (26) for capturing audio signals from ambient sound, an audio signal processing unit (32) for processing the captured audio signals, an actuator (20) for stimulating a patient's hearing, and a driver unit (44) for driving the actuator. The actuator has a rigid housing (64) closed on at least one side by a vibration diaphragm (66) that is driven by a piezoelectric transducer (68, 88). The housing is designed to float in the cochlea in direct contact with the cochlear liquids in order to couple vibration energy from the diaphragm directly into the cochlear liquids.

Abstract: An exemplary intraneural stimulation system may include an auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted within a patient, an intracochlear electrode array communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis and configured to be inserted into a cochlea of the patient, and an intraneural electrode array communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis and configured to be inserted into an auditory nerve of the patient. In this configuration, the auditory prosthesis may stimulate the auditory nerve by applying electrical stimulation by way of the intracochlear electrode array and/or the intraneural electrode array.

Abstract: An exemplary stapedius reflex measurement safety system includes a stimulation management facility configured to direct a cochlear implant system to apply an electrical stimulus to an auditory pathway of a patient and a detection facility configured to determine that a change in acoustic immittance that occurs as the electrical stimulus is being applied by the cochlear implant system is likely representative of a rise time phase associated with an occurrence of a stapedius reflex within the patient. The stimulation management facility is further configured to direct, in response to the determination, the cochlear implant system to cease applying the electrical stimulus.

Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid system with right and left ear microphone arrangements; right and left ear ambient sound signal processing units, right and left ear bone conduction output transducers for stimulating the user's right and left ear cochlea, respectively; a right and left ear cross-talk compensation filter units for generating right and left ear crosstalk compensation signals, respectively, from the processed audio signals of the respective signal processing unit according to an estimated transcranial transfer function; and means for subtracting the left ear cross-talk compensation signal from the processed audio signals of the right ear signal processing unit to generate the right ear output audio signals, and means for subtracting the right ear cross-talk compensation signal from the processed audio signals of the left ear signal processing unit to generate the left ear output audio signals.

Abstract: A thin profile impact resistant cochlear implant includes a single piece machined case having a bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface is concave and a single piece machined cover configured to be joined to the case, the cover comprising a convex upper surface. A method for forming thin profile cochlear implant is also provided.

Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.

Abstract: Among other things, enhancing spectral contrast for a cochlear implant listener includes detecting a time domain signal. A first transformation is applied to the detected time domain signal to convert the time domain signal to a frequency domain signal. A second transformation is applied to the frequency domain signal to express the frequency domain signal as a sum of two or more components. A sensitivity of the cochlear implant listener to detect modulation of each component is obtained.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a sound detector configured to detect an audio signal, 2) an implantable stimulator configured to be implanted within a user, and 3) a sound processor communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator and the sound detector. The sound processor is configured to determine that a level of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined threshold and direct, in response to the determination that the level of the audio signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, the implantable stimulator to elicit a stapedial reflex within the user by applying electrical stimulation to one or more stimulation sites within the user. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The stimulation provided in the electrically stimulated cochlea is modulated in accordance with the amplitude of a received acoustic signal and the onset of a sound in a received acoustic signal to provide increased sound perception. An onset time that corresponds to the onset of a sound is detected in an acoustic signal associated with a frequency band. A forcing voltage and a transmitting factor are determined, wherein the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor are associated with the frequency band at the detected onset time. The acoustic signal is modulated as a function of the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor to generate an output signal. The generated output signal can be used to stimulate the cochlea. The modulation strategy can be used in conjunction with sound processing strategies that employ frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, or a combination of frequency and amplitude modulation.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, 3) a differential transmitter having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, 4) a differential receiver having an input coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, and 5) a control module communicatively coupled to the first switchable current source, the differential transmitter, and the differential receiver and configured to selectively operate in a component type detection mode and in a programming mode. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.