Abstract: Systems for fitting an implantable cochlear stimulator to a patient include an interface unit configured to display a graphical representation of an implant fitting line as part of a graphical user interface. The implant fitting line has a slope and a horizontal position and represents a mapping relationship between a plurality of audio frequencies and a plurality of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient. The interface unit is further configured to facilitate adjustment of the slope and/or horizontal position of the fitting line.

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: 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: Systems and techniques for processing signals representative of sound for conveyance to the auditory system of a subject based on the identity of an input device. In one implementation, a method includes identifying an input element to an audiological system that conveys sound information directly to a subject's auditory system, automatically setting parameters for processing the signal based on the identity of the input element, and processing the signal in accordance with the processing parameters. The input element is configured to generate a signal representative of sound.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for processing signals representative of sound for conveyance to the auditory system of a subject based on the identity of an input device. In one implementation, a method includes identifying an input element to an audiological system that conveys sound information directly to a subject's auditory system, automatically setting parameters for processing the signal based on the identity of the input element, and processing the signal in accordance with the processing parameters. The input element is configured to generate a signal representative of sound.

Abstract: Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode.

Abstract: Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode.

Abstract: Methods of removing accumulated charge from one or more electrodes include applying a plurality of stimulation events to one or more stimulation sites within a patient via the one or more electrodes and globally shorting each of the electrodes during a plurality of global shorting periods interspersed among the plurality of stimulation events. Systems for removing accumulated charge from one or more electrodes include a stimulator electrically coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to apply a plurality of stimulation events to one or more stimulation sites within a patient via the one or more electrodes. The stimulator is further configured to globally short each of the electrodes during a plurality of global shorting periods interspersed among the plurality of stimulation events.

Abstract: An exemplary method of fitting a coeblear implant system to a patient includes establishing an implant fitting line having a slope and a position. The implant fitting line represents a relationship between a number of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient and a number of corresponding audio frequencies. That is, the implant fitting line defines which locations along the length of the cochlea, when stimulated, are perceived by the patient as specific tones or frequencies. The method further includes presenting a first audio signal having a number of audio frequencies to the patient and applying a stimulus current to one or more stimulation sites corresponding to the number of audio frequencies of the first audio signal. The method further includes adjusting the slope of the fitting line based on a response of the patient to the stimulus current.