Perceptual effects of mixed channel configurations in cochlear implants

描述(申请人提供)：拟议研究的长期目标是更好地了解电极配置在人工耳蜗术(CI)中的感知效果。在CI设备中可以有多种电极配置(即刺激模式)，例如单极(MP)、双极(BP)等。目前，固定的刺激模式(通常为MP)用于临床拟合。初步研究表明，不同的刺激模式可以产生不同的声音感知，这可能是由于刺激的传播方式不同，这表明MP或BP模式提供的感知频谱模式可能有很大不同。通过提供在仅MP模式中不可用的信息，组合MP和BP刺激(即，“组合模式”)可以提供比固定的、单一的刺激模式更好的优点。在拟议的研究中，我们将研究组合模式处理器是否可以改善CI用户的语音识别(也将研究新MAP的扩展练习的效果)，并确定组合模式呈现是否改善了声源分离(在心理物理学和多语音背景下)。此外，还将在听觉流分离实验中客观地评估MP和BP刺激之间的基音关系。综上所述，建议的实验结果可能会导致改进的语音处理策略，而不需要对现有系统进行实质性修改，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数量的感知通道，从而使当前和未来的CI用户都大大受益。综上所述，建议的实验结果可以改善CI用户的听力，而不需要对现有系统进行重大修改，并使当前和未来的CI用户受益。 与公共健康相关：这项拟议的研究调查了接受人工耳蜗术的聋人患者如何利用设备中的电流感知地组织一种或多种声音。通过研究一种在人工耳蜗植入系统中构建电流通道的新方法，以促进对声音的良好听力和理解，该设备将在未来带来更多好处。

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.