INTENSITY CODING IN ACOUSTIC AND ELECTRIC HEARING

描述（改编自申请人的摘要）：长期目标 这项研究是为了了解编码的生理机制， 动态范围的听觉和恢复或补偿减少 电听觉的动态范围。该提案侧重于两个方面 心理物理学和言语感知实验，目的是更好地说话 通过植入物感知。具体目标是优化电力 人工耳蜗植入用户的参数，并设计更好的编码 策略和语音处理器的拟合协议。实现目标一的途径 包括五个具体的实验。实验1研究了最佳编码 通过电参数和尝试部分恢复阈值 听神经在听觉中的分布。实验2使用噪音 和高速率调节器，以恢复自发活动和神经 电刺激神经的独立性。实验三考察 各种非线性幅度映射以恢复正常的响度增长。 实验4测量各种电极配置的激发模式 并试图恢复正常的兴奋传播。实验5表征了 电极相互作用，并评估新的电极配置以恢复 双音抑制效应。最后，一组平行的五个实验， 语音感知计划解决这些问题中的每一个。

DESCRIPTION(adapted from applicant's abstract): The long-term objectives of this research are to understand the physiological mechanisms for encoding the dynamic range of acoustic hearing and to restore or compensate for the reduced dynamic range in electrical hearing. This proposal focuses on both psychophysical and speech perception experiments with the goal of better speech perception through the implant. Specific aims are to optimize electric parameters in individual cochlear implant users and to design better coding strategies and fitting protocols for speech processors. The approach to aim one includes five specific experiments. Experiment 1 examines the optimal encoding of loudness by electric parameters and attempts to partially restore threshold distribution of the auditory nerve in acoustic hearing. Experiment 2 uses noise and high-rate conditioners to restore spontaneous activity and neural independence in the electrically stimulated nerve. Experiment 3 examines various nonlinear amplitude mappings to restore normal loudness growth. Experiment 4 measures excitation patterns of various electrode configurations and attempts to restore normal spread of excitation. Experiment 5 characterizes electrode interactions and evaluates a new electrode configuration to restore two-tone suppression effects. Finally, a parallel set of five experiments on speech perception is planned to address each of these issues.