Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a method of assessing the hearing of a patient using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The method comprises receiving at least one response signal from an optode placed on a scalp of the patient, the response signal comprising fNIRS data generated by the optode and relating to an aural stimulation received by the patient; comparing at least one parameter of the at least one response signal to a predetermined parameter value; and determining an auditory response of a patient based on the at least one parameter of the at least one response signal.

Abstract: A sound processing method for auditory prostheses, such as cochlear implants, which is adapted to improve the perception of loudness by users, and to improve speech perception. The overall contribution of stimuli to simulated loudness is compared with an estimate of acoustic loudness for a normally hearing listener based on the input sound signal. A weighting is applied to the filter channels to emphasize those frequencies which are most important to speech perception for normal hearing listeners when selecting channels as a basis for stimulation.