Abstract: Among other things, a stimulation strategy can be customized for a cochlear implant implanted in an individual by testing at least a pair of electrodes selected from an array of electrodes associated with the cochlear implant. Testing the at least a pair of electrodes includes applying a first stimulation to the at least a pair of electrodes using a first pair of pulse trains that are in phase, and applying a second stimulation to the at least a pair of electrodes using a second pair of pulse trains that are out of phase. A determination is made on whether the at least a pair of electrodes stimulate the same neural population based on a sensitivity of the individual to detect a perceived difference between the two pairs of pulse trains. The one or more electrodes of the array of electrodes are selectively stimulated based on the determination.

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 method includes 1) applying a main current to a first electrode disposed within a patient and associated with a first pitch, 2) concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the patient and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and 3) optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector system for Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing devices provides a means to detachably connect a variety of accessories to a sound processor, including batteries, earhooks, telecoils, auxiliary microphones, FM receivers, and input jacks for miscellaneous devices. The present invention provides an efficient and economical sealing connection, eliminating the introduction of sweat, body fluid and other contaminants into the connection area, which otherwise would result in corrosion and eventually disable the connected device. A wiping contact formed by a configuration of cam contacts and a flex circuit with a configuration of corresponding contacts is combined with a rotational engagement mechanism to create a vibration-resistant high contact density connector that is moisture proof when engaged.

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

Abstract: An exemplary method of fitting a bilateral cochlear implant patient includes a fitting subsystem directing a first cochlear implant associated with a right ear of a bilateral cochlear implant patient to present a first set of one or more stimulation pulses to the patient and a second cochlear implant associated with a left ear of the patient to present a second set of one or more stimulation pulses to the patient, presenting a first audible cue during the presentation of each stimulation pulse included in the first set of one or more stimulation pulses, and presenting a second audible cue having one or more different acoustic properties than the first audible cue during the presentation of each stimulation pulse included in the second set of one or more stimulation pulses. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processor 1) storing data representative of a reference spectral profile for a cochlear implant patient, 2) detecting an incoming audio signal presented to the cochlear implant patient, 3) determining a spectral profile of the incoming audio signal, 4) comparing the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal to the reference spectral profile, and 5) determining, based on the comparison, an adjusted spectral profile that more closely matches the reference spectral profile than does the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sound processors with light transmissive seals and systems including such sound processors are disclosed. A seal, formed in part from substantially translucent material and having at least a portion of the substantially translucent material associated with the housing exterior of the sound processor, transmits light from a light emitter carried within the housing to indicate an operational aspect of the sound processor.

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

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a fitting subsystem maintaining a plurality of patient data instances associated with a fitting of a cochlear implant system to a patient, displaying one or more of the patient data instances within one or more main views of a graphical user interface used to fit the cochlear implant system to the patient, receiving data representative of a request by a user to archive a patient data instance included in the plurality of patient data instances, and archiving, in response to the request, the patient data instance by preventing the patient data instance from being displayed within the one or more main views of the graphical user interface. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method of initializing a sound processor includes detecting a condition prompting an initialization of a sound processor for a cochlear implant patient, verifying, in response to the detecting, an integrity of program data stored by the sound processor, and performing, in response to the verifying, a quick initialization of the sound processor by selectively rewriting header information stored by the sound processor to associate the sound processor with the patient without rewriting the program data stored by the sound processor. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method of fitting a cochlear implant patient includes a fitting station detecting a user input associated with a sound processor of a cochlear implant system, wherein the sound processor is communicatively coupled to the cochlear implant fitting station by way of a communication path, and transmitting a signal to the sound processor by way of the communication path in response to the detecting of the user input, the signal configured to direct the sound processor to display a visual cue. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: A hearing instrument and a method of operating a hearing instrument are provided. The hearing instrument includes an electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical output transducer. When a low battery status of the hearing instrument is detected, a low power audio signal processing mode is selected to extend a lifetime of a battery. The low power audio signal processing mode includes reducing a gain at predefined frequencies; switching off an audio signal processing function for one or more audio frequencies; switching-off parts of a digital audio processor to reduce a duty cycle; and reducing power consumption of an audio signal preamplifier, an audio signal analog-to-digital converter or an audio signal digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: An exemplary method of managing cochlear implant fitting software includes a cochlear implant fitting subsystem maintaining data representative of a cochlear implant fitting software package comprising a plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, maintaining data representative of a plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponding to the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, and selectively enabling or disabling each cochlear implant fitting feature within the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features in accordance with the corresponding independent licensing heuristic. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing an acoustical front end customization are disclosed. The customization is implemented to optimize the sound level for each individual cochlear implant user. A known audio signal is generated using a sound source and captured by a microphone system. The captured sound signal is sampled at one or more locations along the signal processing pathway, and a spectrum is determined for the sampled signal and the known signal. A ratio of the two spectrums is related to the undesired transformation of the sampled signal, and a digital filter is designed based on the ratio to filter out the undesired transformation.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a sound processor configured to 1) divide an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels and 2) generate one or more tonality indices each representing a tonality of one of the analysis channels, and an implantable cochlear stimulator communicatively coupled to the sound processor and configured to 1) generate one or more stimulation pulses configured to represent the audio signal in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, and 2) adjust the one or more stimulation parameters based on at least one of the tonality indices.