Perceptual effects of mixed channel configurations in cochlear implants

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议研究的长期目标是更好地理解人工耳蜗（CIs）中电极配置的感知效应。各种电极配置（即刺激模式）在CI设备中是可能的，例如，单极（MP），双极（BP）等。目前临床拟合采用固定刺激模式（一般为MP）。初步研究表明，不同的刺激模式可以引起不同的声音感知，这可能是由于刺激传播的差异，这表明MP和BP模式提供的感知频谱模式可能有很大不同。与固定的单一增产模式相比，mps和BP联合增产（即“联合模式”）可以提供仅MP模式无法获得的信息，因此具有优势。在本研究中，我们将研究组合模式处理器是否可以提高CI用户的语音识别能力（也将研究使用新地图进行扩展练习的效果），并确定组合模式表示是否可以改善声源隔离（在心理物理学和多种语音的背景下）。此外，中压刺激和BP刺激之间的音高关系将在听觉流分离实验中客观评估。综上所述，所提出的实验结果可能会导致语音处理策略的改进，而不需要对当前系统进行实质性的修改，因为组合模式处理器可以在固定数量的植入电极内提供更多的感知通道，从而大大有利于当前和未来的CI用户。综上所述，所提出的实验结果可以在不需要对当前系统进行实质性修改的情况下改善CI用户的听力，并使当前和未来的CI用户受益。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of the proposed research is to better understand the perceptual effects of electrode configuration in cochlear implants (CIs). Various electrode configurations (i.e., stimulation modes) are possible in CI devices, e.g., monopolar (MP), bipolar (BP), etc. Currently, a fixed stimulation mode (commonly MP) is used for clinical fitting. Preliminary studies show that different stimulation modes can elicit distinct sound percepts, possibly due to the differences in the spread of excitation, suggesting that perceptual spectral patterns provided by MP or BP modes may be quite different. Combined MP and BP stimulation (i.e., "combined-mode") may provide an advantage over a fixed, single stimulation mode by providing information that is not available in an MP-only mode. In the proposed study, we will examine whether a combined-mode processor can improve CI users' speech recognition (effects of extended practice with the new map will also be studied), and determine if sound source segregation is improved with combined-mode presentation (in the context of psychophysics and multiple speech sounds). In addition, pitch relations between MP and BP stimulation will be objectively assessed in an auditory stream segregation experiment. Taken together, the results of the proposed experiments may lead to improved speech processing strategies without requiring substantial modifications to current systems, as combined-mode processors may provide a greater number of perceptual channels within the fixed number of implanted electrodes, and thus greatly benefit both current and future CI users. Taken together, the results of the proposed experiments could lead to improved hearing in CI users without requiring substantial modifications to current systems and benefit both current and future CI users. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed study examines how deaf patients who have received cochlear implants perceptually organize one sound or multiple sounds with the electrical currents from the device. By investigating a new method of constructing current channels in a cochlear implant system that facilitates a good hearing and understanding of sounds, more benefits from the device will be expected in the future.