Abstract: An exemplary sound processor included in a cochlear implant system comprises a control facility that represents a first frequency domain signal to a patient by 1) directing a cochlear implant included in the cochlear implant system to apply, during a first stimulation frame, a first monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a first temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the first stimulation frame, the first monophasic stimulation pulse having a first polarity, and 2) directing the cochlear implant to apply, during a second stimulation frame that is temporally subsequent to the first stimulation frame, a second monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a second temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the second stimulation frame, the second monophasic stimulation pulse configured to at least partially charge balance the first monophasic stimulation pulse and having a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus includes 1) an earhook interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts and that is configured to interchangeably connect to a microphone assembly and an EAS receiver assembly by way of the plurality of contacts, and 2) a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that is configured to selectively operate in an input mode or in an output mode. While operating in the input mode, the control module uses the plurality of contacts as input ports to receive one or more audio signals detected by the microphone assembly while the microphone assembly is connected to the earhook interface assembly. While operating in the output mode, the control module uses the plurality of contacts as output ports to output one or more EAS signals to the EAS receiver assembly while the EAS receiver assembly is connected to the earhook interface assembly.

Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a programming device configured to be located external to a cochlear implant patient and communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant system associated with the patient, 2) a programming interface device communicatively coupled to the programming device and configured to be located external to the patient, and 3) a receiver communicatively coupled directly to the programming interface device. The programming device directs at least one of the cochlear implant system and the receiver to apply stimulation to the patient, records an evoked response that occurs in response to the stimulation, and performs a predetermined action in accordance with the evoked response. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, and 3) a control module that detects a connection of a battery module to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, enables the first switchable current source while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, detects a logic level of the first data line while the first switchable current source is enabled and while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and identifies, based on the detected logic level of the first data line, a battery type associated with the battery module. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a programming device configured to be located external to a cochlear implant patient and communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant system associated with the patient, 2) a programming interface device communicatively coupled to the programming device and configured to be located external to the patient, and 3) a receiver communicatively coupled directly to the programming interface device. The programming device directs at least one of the cochlear implant system and the receiver to apply stimulation to the patient, records an evoked response that occurs in response to the stimulation, and performs a predetermined action in accordance with the evoked response. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.

Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) an electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) sound processor configured to be located external to a patient, 2) a cochlear implant communicatively coupled to the EAS sound processor and configured to be implanted within the patient, 3) an electrode array communicatively coupled to the cochlear implant and configured to be located within a cochlea of the patient, and 4) a receiver communicatively coupled to the EAS sound processor and configured to be in communication with an ear of the patient. The EAS sound processor directs at least one of the cochlear implant and the receiver to apply stimulation to the patient, records an evoked response that occurs in response to the stimulation, and performs a predetermined action in accordance with the evoked response. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor may include a stimulation management facility that 1) receives an audio signal presented to the patient during a normal operation of the cochlear implant system, and 2) directs a cochlear implant of the cochlear implant system to generate and apply an electrical stimulation pulse representative of the audio signal by way of an electrode included in a plurality of electrodes coupled to the cochlear implant. The sound processor may further include an impedance management facility that determines an impedance of the electrode by directing the cochlear implant to measure a voltage level associated with the electrode while the electrical stimulation pulse is being applied by way of the electrode. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary cochlear implant may include 1) a current source tied to a voltage supply and having an output that is electrically coupled to an electrode included in a plurality of electrodes, 2) a mirrored current source associated with the current source and that is commanded to output a commanded current, 3) a reference load coupled to an output of the mirrored current source and that forces the mirrored current source into an out-of-compliance state in which the mirrored current source outputs a peference current that is a predetermined percentage lower than the commanded current, the reference current resulting in a dynamic reference voltage at the output of the mirrored current source, and 4) a comparator that compares a voltage at the output of the current source with the dynamic reference voltage, and outputs a signal based on the comparison. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary system may include a sound processor that provides radio frequency (RF) power and a cochlear implant that operates in accordance with the RF power. The cochlear implant may include a positive current source and a negative current source that may be electrically coupled to an electrode by way of a common node. The sound processor may 1) direct the cochlear implant to concurrently enable the positive and negative current sources in order to generate a current that has a first predetermined current level and that flows though the positive and negative current sources from a positive voltage supply to a negative voltage supply without providing stimulation to the electrode in a manner perceptible to the patient, and 2) determine a power level of the RF power that is required to generate the current having the first predetermined current level. Corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary system may include a sound processor that is communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant implanted within a patient. The cochlear implant may include a current generation circuit (402) in series with a capacitor (418) and a voltage measurement circuit (422). The sound processor may 1) direct the cochlear implant to enable the current generation circuit for a time interval, causing a current to flow to the capacitor, 2) direct the cochlear implant to use the voltage measurement circuit to measure a voltage change across the capacitor that occurs during the time interval, and 3) determine a current level of the current that flows from the current generation circuit to the capacitor. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, 3) a differential transmitter having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, 4) a differential receiver having an input coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, and 5) a control module communicatively coupled to the first switchable current source, the differential transmitter, and the differential receiver and configured to selectively operate in a component type detection mode and in a programming mode. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, and 3) a control module that detects a connection of a battery module to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, enables the first switchable current source while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, detects a logic level of the first data line while the first switchable current source is enabled and while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and identifies, based on the detected logic level of the first data line, a battery type associated with the battery module. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts and that facilitates interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components to the sound processor apparatus, and 2) a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that interacts with each of the external components by overloading each contact included in the plurality of contacts with a plurality of functions. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor apparatus includes 1) an earhook interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts and that is configured to interchangeably connect to a microphone assembly and an EAS receiver assembly by way of the plurality of contacts, and 2) a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that is configured to selectively operate in an input mode or in an output mode. While operating in the input mode, the control module uses the plurality of contacts as input ports to receive one or more audio signals detected by the microphone assembly while the microphone assembly is connected to the earhook interface assembly. While operating in the output mode, the control module uses the plurality of contacts as output ports to output one or more EAS signals to the EAS receiver assembly while the EAS receiver assembly is connected to the earhook interface assembly.