Abstract: An exemplary speech processor configured to be used in a cochlear implant system includes signal processing circuitry that 1) separates an incoming audio signal into a plurality of channels, wherein each channel included in the plurality of channels includes a channel signal included in a plurality of channel signals and representing a portion of the audio signal, 2) selects one or more channel signals from the plurality of channel signals that have a spectral power that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the selected one or more channel signals corresponding to one or more channels included in the plurality of channels, and 3) designates only the one or more channels that correspond to the selected one or more channel signals to be used for stimulation representative of the incoming audio signal.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a storage facility configured to maintain data representative of a cochlear implant fitting software package comprising a plurality of cochlear implant fitting features and maintain data representative of a plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponding to the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, wherein each independent licensing heuristic within the plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponds to a different cochlear implant fitting feature within the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, and 2) a feature control facility configured to selectively enable or disable each cochlear implant fitting feature in accordance with the corresponding independent licensing heuristic. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: A partially implantable hearing aid is provided, comprising an external audio signal unit to be worn at least in part in a user's ear canal, an implantable unit and external means for transmitting power transcutaneously to the implantable unit via an inductive link, the external audio signal unit comprising audio signal processing means for producing processed audio signals from input audio signals and means for transmitting the processed audio signals via an optical link through an ear drum to an optical receiver of the implantable unit, the implantable unit comprising an actuator for stimulating the user's hearing, a power receiving means and a driver unit for transforming the received audio signals into an input signal to the actuator.

Abstract: Errors in pitch allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. The disclosure provides a tool for determining the implant fitting curve for cochlear implant system to correct pitch warping. The method presents familiar musical tunes to determine the implant fitting slope (relative alignment). In addition, in one embodiment, speech sounds may be used to determine the offset of the fitting line (absolute alignment). The use of music and speech to determine the implant fitting curve (line) and the slope is facilitated by using techniques to implement virtual electrodes to more precisely direct stimuli to the location or “place” on the cochlea.

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: An exemplary system includes an electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) subsystem and a volume control subsystem communicatively coupled to the EAS subsystem. The EAS subsystem is configured to direct a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representative of audio content included in a first frequency band to a patient and to direct a receiver to apply acoustic stimulation representative of audio content included in a second frequency band to the patient. The volume control subsystem is configured to facilitate independent control of a volume associated with the electrical stimulation and a volume associated with the acoustic stimulation. Corresponding systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are 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: A method for forming a wire construct includes forming a groove in a polymer having a mouth that is narrower than a width of a deeper portion of the groove and placing a substantial length of wire in the groove, the wire having a larger cross-sectional dimension than the mouth of the groove. Encapsulant is placed over the polymer. The wire construct is to be used for implantable stimulation leads, such as a cochlear stimulation lead or a neurostimulation lead. Two wire constructs can be assembled to form a multilayer wire construct.

Abstract: There is provided a system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in the middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea, comprising: a hydrophone for being inserted into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the hydrophone in order to evaluate the actuator performance.

Abstract: There is provided an implantable actuator for direct stimulation of a patient's cochlea comprising a frame to be fluid-tightly fixed within the patient's oval window in a manner to replace the stapes footplate and having an oval shape conforming to the shape of the oval window, a rigid vibration element for acting on the perilymph fluid, which vibration element is guided within the frame, an elastic holding element fixed both at the frame and at the vibration element and extending laterally between the frame and the vibration element for allowing axial movement of the vibration element relative to the frame but preventing lateral movement of the vibration element relative to the frame, and a rod having a first end to be driven by the tympanic membrane, an ossicle or a driver of an at least partially implantable hearing aid and a second end connected to the vibration element for causing reciprocating movement of the vibration element within the frame.

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: 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: 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 system for mechanically assisted insertion of an electrode includes: an insertion tool configured to insert the electrode into biological tissues; and a controller configured to control the insertion tool, in which the controller is further configured to select operating parameters comprising a maximum allowable force profile from a library of operating parameters, in which the maximum allowable force profile is generated from data recorded during a number of previous successful operations. Also, a method for insertion of a cochlear lead, includes: selecting operating parameters comprising a maximum allowable force profile from a library of operating parameters; inserting the cochlear lead while sensing real time force and position; and continuing the insertion while the real time force is below the maximum allowable force profile, in which the maximum allowable force profile is generated from data recorded during a number of previous successful operations.

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: An exemplary auditory prosthesis system includes a sound processor module configured to process an audio signal and operate in accordance with a plurality of control parameters and an accessory header module configured to be selectively coupled to the sound processor module and facilitate external adjustment of one or more control parameters included in the plurality of control parameters while coupled to the sound processor module. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

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

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: 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.