Abstract: An exemplary method of minimizing an effect of channel interaction among a plurality of channels in a multi-channel cochlear implant system includes empirically generating an electrical spread matrix that is specific to a patient and representative of a channel interaction among a plurality of channels defined by a plurality of electrodes of electrodes of a multi-channel cochlear implant system associated with the patient, generating a model electrical spread matrix that approximates the empirically generated electrical spread matrix and that has a band inverse matrix, and using the band inverse matrix to determine a set of stimulation current levels to be applied by way of a corresponding set of electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes in order to produce desired stimulation current levels at a plurality of stimulation sites within the cochlea in the presence of the channel interaction. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a sound processor configured to identify one or more spectral peaks of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient and an implantable cochlear stimulator communicatively coupled to the sound processor and configured to apply electrical stimulation representative of the one or more spectral peaks to at least one stimulation site within the cochlear implant patient using a partial multipolar stimulation configuration and apply electrical stimulation representative of one or more other spectral components of the audio signal to at least one other stimulation site within the cochlear implant patient using a monopolar stimulation configuration. Corresponding systems methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes a linear regulator and a sound processing integrated circuit (“IC”). The linear regulator 1) receives a source voltage signal having a source voltage level and provided by an external power source, 2) drops the source voltage level to an intermediate voltage level, and 3) outputs an intermediate voltage signal having the intermediate voltage level. The sound processing IC 1) performs one or more sound processing operations with respect to an audio signal presented to a patient associated with the auditory prosthesis system, 2) receives the intermediate voltage signal having the intermediate voltage level, 3) converts the intermediate voltage level into one or more supply voltage levels, and 4) outputs one or more supply voltage signals having the one or more supply voltage levels.

Abstract: A microcircuit integrated cochlear electrode array and a process for the manufacture thereof, the electrode array comprising a multiconductor tail portion with longitudinally spaced outwardly exposed electrode receiving pads and a flat multiconductor head portion connected to the tail portion and having spaced outwardly exposed circuit attachment pads, the tail and head portions being laminated between a nonconductive film substrate and an insulating cover and the tail portion being helically wrapped into a helix with the electrode receiving circuit attachment pads exposed and carrying ring electrodes overmolded with a suitable polymeric material.

Abstract: 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. The telemetry flux guide is configured to direct magnetic flux of the telemetry magnetic field away from the circuit board.

Abstract: A cochlear implant includes a processor, an array of electrodes disposed along a flexible body and a lead body connecting the processor to the array of electrodes. The lead body includes a first tube having a first outside diameter, a second tube having a second outside diameter smaller than the first diameter, a portion of the second tube being disposed within the first tube, and wires passing through the first tube and the second tube, the wires comprising a helically coiled portion. A method for forming a lead body is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a cochlear electrode array with a plurality of electrodes which are spaced so as to stimulate sites within a cochlea includes shaping a sheet of electrically conductive material to form a support structure and a plurality of electrodes, in which the electrodes are tethered to the support structure at the spacing of the cochlear electrode array. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body that has frictional characteristics that vary about its circumference. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body with a first region and a second region with different surface textures. This generates differential sliding forces during insertion of the cochlear lead which influence a motion of the cochlear lead during insertion. The cochlear lead having an electrode array with varying stiffness along its length is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided an at least partially implantable device for picking up sound impinging onto a skin area of a person, comprising means for generating an audio signal corresponding to the change in time of the distance between a position of the device and the outer surface of the skin area, wherein the device position is adjacent to the skin area.

Abstract: A waterproof enclosure for a cochlear implant system or other hearing assistance device includes an outer housing, an inner support in the interior of the outer housing, an acoustic element supported by the inner support, and water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane sealing the interior of the outer housing against water ingress. A hearing device such as a cochlear implant sound processor, a headpiece, an earhook, or a hearing aid comprises an outer housing, an inner support in the interior of the outer housing, a microphone supported by the inner support, and a water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane sealing the interior of the outer housing against water ingress.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processing subsystem 1) dividing an audio signal presented to an auditory prosthesis patient into a plurality of signals each representative of a distinct frequency portion of the audio signal and each contained within a distinct analysis channel included in a plurality of analysis channels, 2) determining a sound level of each signal included in the plurality of signals, and 3) setting an amount of noise reduction applied to each signal included in the plurality of signals in accordance with the determined sound level of each signal included in the plurality of signals. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member includes a loading tool and a straightening member. An exemplary loading tool may include a body and first and second flexible arms each having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end. The first and second flexible arms may define a straightening channel configured to constrain a pre-curved electrode array in a straightened configuration. The first and second flexible arms may be further configured to flex away from each other to receive the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel. The straightening member is configured to be inserted into the pre-curved electrode array while the pre-curved electrode array is in the straightened configuration and retain the pre-curved electrode array in the straightened configuration after the pre-curved electrode array is removed from the loading tool. Corresponding methods are also described.

Abstract: A microcircuit cochlear electrode array and process for the manufacture thereof, the electrode array comprising first and second flat microcircuits comprising a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending electrical conductors and longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads extending laterally from the conductors, the first flat microcircuit being helically wrapped in a first direction along an axis with its longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads exposed on an end of an outer surface hereof and the second flat microcircuit helically being wrapped in an opposite direction on and along an outer surface of the first helically wrapped microcircuit with its longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads exposed on an outer surface thereof adjacent the exposed longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads of the first microcircuit, and ring electrodes around and electrically secured to the electrode receiving pads of the first and second microcircuits.

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

Abstract: An exemplary system includes an implantable cochlear stimulator implanted within a patient, a short electrode array coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator and having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, and a sound processor communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator. The sound processor may direct the implantable cochlear stimulator to apply a main current to a first electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a first pitch, direct the implantable cochlear stimulator to concurrently apply, during the application of the main current, a compensation current to a second electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a second pitch, and optimize 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.

Abstract: An impact resistant implantable antenna coil assembly comprising a flat antenna coil having a plurality of laterally separated turns of wire encapsulated with a non-orthogonal force absorbing coil reinforcement in a flexible biocompatible polymer and axially anchored with the reinforcement to a feedthrough case. Thus configured, non-orthogonal impact forces applied to the antenna coil assembly are absorbed and lateral components thereof that would otherwise be reflected as tensile forces in the plane of the coil are prevented from forming or from fracturing wire within the antenna coil.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a sound processor configured to process one or more audio signals and an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to apply stimulation representative of the one or more audio signals to a patient via a plurality of electrodes. In some embodiments, the sound processor directs the implantable cochlear stimulator to 1) apply a main current to a first electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a first pitch, 2) concurrently apply, during the application of the main current, a compensation current to a second electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a second pitch that is lower than the first pitch, and 3) adjust the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient, the target pitch being higher than the first pitch.

Abstract: An exemplary method of restoring a past configuration to a sound processor includes a fitting subsystem maintaining a configuration history including data representative of one or more past configurations of a sound processor, displaying a graphical depiction of the configuration history in a graphical user interface, receiving user input requesting that a past configuration within the one or more past configurations of the sound processor be restored to the sound processor, and utilizing data representative of the past configuration in the configuration history to restore the past configuration to the sound processor. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: Information can be stored in a cochlear stimulation system by determining an item of patient specific information, transferring the item of patient specific information to an implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system, and permanently storing the item of patient specific information in the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. The item of patient specific information can comprise a parameter for use in generating a stimulation current. The implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system also can be configured to permanently store one or more items of patient specific information in an alterable fashion. Further, an item of patient specific information can be retrieved from the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. Additionally, an item of non-patient specific information for use in processing a received acoustic signal can be determined and permanently stored in an external portion of the cochlear stimulation system.

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.

Abstract: An implantable device includes an exterior gold surface and a thin film disposed on the exterior gold surface and forming a barrier between the exterior gold surface and an implanted environment, in which the thin film includes molecules with a head portion, the head portion attached to the exterior gold surface.