Abstract: An external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, a protective case configured to have said speech processor module removably mounted therein; and an operational mode controller configured to determine when said speech processor module is mounted in said case and to place said speech processor module in said body-worn mode of operation when said module is mounted in said case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis for delivering stimuli to a hearing-impaired recipient is disclosed, the hearing prosthesis comprising: a sound transducer for converting received sound signals into electric audio signals; a sound processor for converting said electric audio signals into stimuli signals; a stimulator for delivering said stimuli to the recipient; a memory for storing data representative of sound signals; and a controller configured to cause selected sound data to be retrieved from said memory and processed by said sound processor.

Abstract: A stand-alone microphone test housing includes a housing adapted to receive a hearing device and a sound source, wherein the housing includes a sound channel to operatively direct sound from the sound source to at least one microphone such that the sound passes directly from the sound source to the at least one microphone via the sound channel, and wherein the housing is further adapted to do at least one of disposing the sound source at a repeatable distance from the hearing device and disposing the sound source in a repeatable orientation relative to the hearing device.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis for delivering stimuli to a hearing-impaired recipient is disclosed, the hearing prosthesis comprising: a sound transducer for converting received sound signals into electric audio signals; a sound processor for converting the electric audio signals into stimuli signals; a stimulator for delivering the stimuli to the recipient; a memory for storing data representative of sound signals; and a controller configured to cause selected sound data to be retrieved from the memory and processed by the sound processor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand-alone microphone test system for a hearing device, comprising a hearing device having at least one microphone, a sound source in communication with the hearing device, wherein, when in operation, the sound source receives a signal from the hearing device, and a mold oriented to hold the hearing device and the sound source such that output from the sound source may be directed to the at least one microphone. There is also provided a stand-alone microphone test method for a hearing device, comprising providing a test signal/sequence output to a sound source/receiver, providing a reference signal to a comparator, receiving output from the sound source/receiver in a microphone, transmitting the received signal to the comparator, comparing the received signal with the reference signal, and providing a test result.

Abstract: A method of processing audio signals for an auditory prosthesis is provided. The method includes a noise reduction step (22) and a later compression step (24). A gain control step is provided prior to the compression step (24). The gain control step operates so as to minimize the occurrence of signal compression in the compression step (24). An auditory prosthesis arranged to provide the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearing prosthesis is provided. A plurality of settings are provided, each setting providing a different operating functionality for the hearing prosthesis suitable for different situations. A signal analysis is executed on input signals to the hearing prosthesis. The signal analysis monitors characteristics of a current situation to detect any change and, in the case of detecting change, classifies the current situation into one of a plurality of predefined states. The suitability of the settings is compared with the determined state. One or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is identified for the current situation. The one or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is presented to a user. The user is then allowed to make a selection from the presented choice(s) of setting(s). If a selection is received from the user, the selected setting is executed. A hearing prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis, including receiver means for receiving a signal representative of a sound signal over a frequency range; a first filter bank, having a relatively higher resolution, adapted to process said received signal and produce a first set of channel outputs relating to a selected region or regions of said frequency range; and a second filter bank having a relatively lower resolution, adapted to process said received signal and produce a second set of channel outputs relating to at least the rest of said frequency range; combination means to combine the first and second sets of channel outputs, and processing means operative upon the combined outputs so as to produce a set of stimulation signals for said hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: An external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, a protective case configured to have said speech processor module removably mounted therein; and an operational mode controller configured to determine when said speech processor module is mounted in said case and to place said speech processor module in said body-worn mode of operation when said module is mounted in said case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis, including receiver means for receiving a signal representative of a signal over a frequency range; a first filter bank, having a relatively higher resolution, adapted to process said received signal and produce a first set of channel outputs relating to a selected region or regions of said frequency range; and a second filter bank having a relatively lower resolution, adapted to process said received signal and produce a second set of channel outputs relating to at least the rest of said frequency range; combination means to combine the first and second sets of channel outputs, and processing means operative upon the combined outputs so as to produce a set of stimulation signals for said hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.

Abstract: A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis for delivering stimuli to a hearing-impaired recipient is disclosed, the hearing prosthesis comprising: a sound transducer for converting received sound signals into electric audio signals; a sound processor for converting said electric audio signals into stimuli signals; a stimulator for delivering said stimuli to the recipient; a memory for storing data representative of sound signals; and a controller configured to cause selected sound data to be retrieved from said memory and processed by said sound processor.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis, including receiver means for receiving a signal representative of a signal over a frequency range; a first filter bank, having a relatively higher resolution, adapted to process said received signal and produce a first set of channel outputs relating to a selected region or regions of said frequency range; and a second filter bank having a relatively lower resolution, adapted to process said received signal and produce a second set of channel outputs relating to at least the rest of said frequency range; combination means to combine the first and second sets of channel outputs, and processing means operative upon the combined outputs so as to produce a set of stimulation signals for said hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand-alone microphone test system for a hearing device, comprising a hearing device having at least one microphone, a sound source in communication with the hearing device, wherein, when in operation, the sound source receives a signal from the hearing device, and a mold oriented to hold the hearing device and the sound source such that output from the sound source may be directed to the at least one microphone. There is also provided a stand-alone microphone test method for a hearing device, comprising providing a test signal/sequence output to a sound source/receiver, providing a reference signal to a comparator, receiving output from the Sound source/receiver in a microphone, transmitting the received signal to the comparator, comparing the received signal with the reference signal, and providing a test result.

Abstract: A software library for controlling tissue-stimulating prostheses is provided. A plurality of software modules are stored in the library, enabling users to input abstract, high-level commands, for example at a psychophysical level, which do not require detailed knowledge of system-level operating requirements of the prosthesis. Upon receipt of such commands, the software library is accessed in order to obtain software modules to carry out the commands, in order to generate a software command set. The software command set is communicated to the processor of the prosthesis, or directly to the prosthesis.