Abstract: An exemplary sound processor included in a cochlear implant system used by a recipient is configured to generate a spectral input signal representative of spectral energy contained within a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of an audio input signal presented to the recipient. The sound processor further receives a predetermined system noise threshold that is determined prior to the audio input signal being presented to the recipient and that is based on a predicted or measured spectral energy level of system noise generated by a theoretical or test cochlear implant system associated with, but distinct from, the cochlear implant system. The sound processor determines whether a spectral energy level of the spectral input signal exceeds the system noise threshold and, based on this determination, performs an action that impacts stimulation provided to the recipient by the cochlear implant system. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus associated with a cochlear implant system used by a patient directs a cochlear implant included within the cochlear implant system and implanted within the patient to generate electrical stimulation current at a predetermined current level. The apparatus further directs the cochlear implant to apply the electrical stimulation current to the patient by way of an electrode coupled with the cochlear implant, and to measure a voltage level associated with the electrode while the electrical stimulation current is applied to the patient by way of the electrode. Based on the predetermined current level and the measured voltage level, the apparatus determines an impedance of the electrode. Based on the determined electrode impedance and in accordance with a predetermined stimulation parameter adjustment constraint, the apparatus automatically adjusts a stimulation parameter associated with the cochlear implant system. Additional apparatuses and corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes an electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) sound processor, a cochlear implant communicatively coupled to the EAS sound processor, an electrode array communicatively coupled to the cochlear implant, and a receiver communicatively coupled to the EAS sound processor and configured to be in communication with an ear of a patient. The EAS sound processor 1) directs, while in a self-fitting mode, the receiver to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient, 2) records, using at least one electrode included in the electrode array, an evoked response that occurs in response to the acoustic stimulation, 3) compares the evoked response to a baseline evoked response recorded by the EAS sound processor prior to recording the evoked response, and 4) performs a predetermined action based on the comparison between the evoked response and the baseline evoked response. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system (“system”) enhances and/or preserves interaural level differences between first and second signals. The system includes first and second audio detectors associated with first and second ears of a user, respectively. The audio detectors detect an audio signal presented to the user and generate the first and second signals to represent the audio signal as detected at the first and second ears, respectively. The system also includes a first sound processor that receives the first signal from the first audio detector and the second signal from a second sound processor via a communication link with the second sound processor. The first sound processor generates a directional signal representative of a spatial filtering of the audio signal detected at the first ear according to an end-fire directional polar pattern and presents an output signal representative of the directional signal to the user at the first ear.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system includes a binaural pair of microphones that are configured to be located, respectively, at a first ear and a second ear of a user. The system further includes an interconnected binaural pair of sound processors that are associated with the binaural pair of microphones. The sound processors are configured to preserve an interaural level difference (“ILD”) between a first signal generated by the first microphone and a second signal generated by the second microphone. The sound processors do this by performing a contralateral gain synchronization operation to a first degree with respect to the first and second signals at the first sound processor, and to a second degree with respect to the first and second signals at the second sound processor, where the first degree is distinct from the second degree or at least one of the first and second degrees is a partial degree.

Abstract: An exemplary cochlear implant system includes a cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a patient and a sound processor. The sound processor is configured to receive, from a fitting system during a fitting session, a command that sets an M level to an initial value and a target value for the M level; gradually adjust, subsequent to the fitting session, the M level from the initial value towards the target value in accordance with an adaption time course; and direct the cochlear implant to apply stimulation having the gradually adjusted M level to the patient. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor included in a cochlear implant system associated with a patient 1) receives, from a fitting system while the sound processor is communicatively coupled to the fitting system, a command that sets a control parameter associated with the cochlear implant system to an initial value and data representative of a target value associated with the control parameter, 2) detects a decoupling of the sound processor from the fitting system, the decoupling resulting in the sound processor being in a non-fitting state, and 3) gradually adjusts, while the sound processor is in the non-fitting state, the control parameter from the initial value towards the target value in accordance with an adaption time course associated with the control parameter. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system (“system”) enhances and/or preserves interaural level differences between first and second signals. The system includes first and second audio detectors associated with first and second ears of a user, respectively. The audio detectors detect an audio signal presented to the user and generate the first and second signals to represent the audio signal as detected at the first and second ears, respectively. The system also includes a first sound processor that receives the first signal from the first audio detector and the second signal from a second sound processor via a communication link with the second sound processor. The first sound processor generates a directional signal representative of a spatial filtering of the audio signal detected at the first ear according to an end-fire directional polar pattern and presents an output signal representative of the directional signal to the user at the first ear.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor included in a cochlear implant system used by a patient generates a spectral input signal representative of spectral energy contained within a frequency band of an audio signal presented to the patient. The sound processor determines whether a spectral energy level of the spectral input signal exceeds a predetermined system noise threshold that is based on a characterization of system noise generated by the cochlear implant system within the frequency band. The sound processer then generates a spectral output signal by 1) including the spectral input signal in the spectral output signal if the spectral energy level exceeds the predetermined system noise threshold, and 2) excluding the spectral input signal from the spectral output signal if the spectral energy level does not exceed the predetermined system noise threshold. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A binaural cochlear implant system (system) includes first and second microphones associated with first and second ears of a patient, respectively. The microphones detect an audio signal presented to the patient and output first and second signals representative of the audio signal as detected at the first and second ears, respectively. The system also includes a first sound processor that receives the first signal from the first microphone and the second signal from a second sound processor by way of a communiation link with the second sound processors. The first sound processor generates first and second fine structure signals representative of fine structure information of the first and second fine structure signals, respectively, and generates a timing pulse signal based on the first and second fine structure signals. The first sound processor uses the timing pulse signal to represent to the patient an interaural time difference between the first and second signals.

Abstract: An exemplary behavioral audiogram generation system 1) determines a noise floor within the cochlea of a patient, 2) presents, by way of a loudspeaker, acoustic stimulation having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude to the patient, 3) detects an evoked response that occurs in response to the acoustic stimulation, 4) determines an amplitude of the evoked response that occurs in response to the acoustic stimulation, and 5) determines, based on the amplitude of the evoked response, on the predetermined amplitude of the acoustic stimulation, and on the noise floor, a behavioral audiogram value for the patient that corresponds to the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system includes a binaural pair of microphones that are configured to be located, respectively, at a first ear and a second ear of a user. The system further includes an interconnected binaural pair of sound processors that are associated with the binaural pair of microphones. The binaural pair of sound processors are configured to preserve, to a partial degree for each of the first and second ears of the user, an interaural level difference (“ILD”) between a first signal generated by the first microphone and a second signal generated by the second microphone. The sound processors do this by performing a contralateral gain synchronization operation to a first partial degree with respect to the first and second signals at the first sound processor, and to a second partial degree with respect to the first and second signals at the second sound processor.

Abstract: An exemplary monitoring system 1) monitors evoked responses that occur in response to acoustic stimulation during an insertion procedure in which a lead that is communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant is inserted into a cochlea of a patient, the monitoring comprising using an intracochlear electrode disposed on the lead to measure a first and a second evoked response at a first and a second insertion depth within the cochlea, the second insertion depth nearer to an apex of the cochlea than the first insertion depth, 2) determines that a change between the first evoked response measured at the first insertion depth and the second evoked response measured at the second insertion depth is greater than a predetermined threshold, and 3) determines, based on the determination that the change is greater than the predetermined threshold, that cochlear trauma has likely occurred at the second insertion depth.

Abstract: An exemplary monitoring system 1) receives a user input command to begin monitoring evoked responses that occur in response to acoustic stimulation during an insertion procedure in which a lead that is communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant is inserted into a cochlea of a patient, the lead having an array of intracochlear electrodes and an extracochlear electrode, the extracochlear electrode physically and communicatively coupled to a probe that is also communicatively coupled to the monitoring system, 2) directs, in response to the user input command, the cochlear implant to short an intracochlear electrode with the extracochlear electrode, 3) presents the acoustic stimulation to the patient, and 4) records the evoked responses that occur in response to the acoustic stimulation by using the intracochlear electrode to detect signals representative of the evoked responses and receiving the detected signals by way of the extracochlear electrode and the probe.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system (“system”) preserves and/or enhances interaural level differences (“ILDs”) between first and second signals. The system includes audio detectors each associated with an ear of a user. The audio detectors detect an audio signal presented to the user and generate the first and second signals to represent the audio signal as detected at each ear. The system also includes sound processors associated with each ear that each receive the first and second signals from the audio detectors directly and/or by way of a communication link from the other sound processor. The sound processors each perform operations with respect to the first and second signals to preserve and/or enhance the ILDs between the signals. In so doing, the sound processors perform a contralateral gain synchronization operation to a first degree at the first sound processor and to a distinct second degree at the second sound processor.

Abstract: A stapedius reflex threshold determination system is communicatively coupled with a loudspeaker and a cochlear implant implanted within a patient. The system identifies a baseline evoked response level associated with a baseline acoustic stimulation level too low to trigger a stapedius reflex within the patient. The system directs an electro-acoustic stimulation event to be applied to the patient, including electrical stimulation applied by the cochlear implant at a particular electrical stimulation level and acoustic stimulation applied by the loudspeaker at the baseline acoustic stimulation level. The system determines an evoked response level associated with the applied acoustic stimulation and detects that the stapedius reflex is triggered by determining that the evoked response level is at least a predetermined threshold amount lower than the baseline evoked response level.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor may 1) divide an audio signal into M analysis channels, 2) select only N analysis channels included in the M analysis channels for presentation to a patient during a stimulation frame, wherein N is less than M, 3) increase a probability that a particular analysis channel will be included in the N analysis channels selected for presentation to the patient during the stimulation frame if the particular analysis channel was not selected for presentation to the patient during one or more stimulation frames that temporally precede the stimulation frame, and 4) decrease the probability that the particular analysis channel will be included in the N analysis channels selected for presentation to the patient during the stimulation frame if the particular analysis channel was selected for presentation to the patient during the one or more stimulation frames that temporally precede the stimulation frame.

Abstract: A binaural cochlear implant system (system) includes first and second microphones associated with first and second ears of a patient, respectively. The microphones detect an audio signal presented to the patient and output first and second signals representative of the audio signal as detected at the first and second ears, respectively. The system also includes a first sound processor that receives the first signal from the first microphone and the second signal from a second sound processor by way of a communiation link with the second sound processors. The first sound processor generates first and second fine structure signals representative of fine structure information of the first and second fine structure signals. The first sound processor uses the timing pulse signal to represent to the patient an interaural time difference between the first and second signals.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system (“system”) preserves and/or enhances interaural level differences (“ILDs”) between first and second signals. The system includes audio detectors each associated with an ear of a user. The audio detectors detect an audio signal presented to the user and generate the first and second signals to represent the audio signal as detected at each ear. The system also includes sound processors associated with each ear that each receive the first and second signals from the audio detectors directly and/or by way of a communication link from the other sound processor. The sound processors each perform operations with respect to the first and second signals to preserve and/or enhance the ILDs between the signals. In so doing, the sound processors perform a contralateral gain synchronization operation to a first degree at the first sound processor and to a distinct second degree at the second sound processor.

Abstract: An exemplary fitting system 1) directs an EAS system to concurrently apply acoustic stimulation to a patient by way of a loudspeaker and electrical stimulation to the patient by way of an electrode located within a cochlea of the patient, 2) determines an interactive effect that the electrical stimulation has on the acoustic stimulation, 3) directs, if the fitting facility determines that the interactive effect is suppressive, the EAS system to use a first stimulation strategy that steers a current field produced by stimulation of the electrode away from intracochlear acoustic responders within the patient that are associated with the acoustic stimulation, and 4) directs, if the fitting facility does not determine that the interactive effect is suppressive, the EAS system to use a second stimulation strategy that steers the current field produced by the stimulation of the electrode towards the intracochlear acoustic responders.