Implementation and Tuning of Multi-rate Speech Processors for Cochlear Implants

已经考虑了各种方法来改善人工耳蜗植入者的语音识别 在过去的20年里。一种方法涉及使用实验数据来探测特定的 受试者的电刺激听觉系统，以调整传统的语音处理系统。另一个 该方法涉及研究新的语音处理方法和算法。的目标是 建议的研究是将这两种成功的研究方法联系起来，通过调查可行性和 通过根据被测对象具体调整算法来优化新的语音处理技术 与特定植入对象相关的心理物理参数。这个假设将会是 被调查的是编码语音中存在的频率信息的动态变化是否通过 具体地说，在可变电脉冲速率中编码该信息可以通过以下方式提高语音理解 人工耳蜗术受试者。在第一个特定目标中，一组有限的脉搏频率，每个脉搏频率都基于心理物理 从被测试对象收集的数据将用于对每个电极中的语音信息进行编码 频道。这与使用非调谐固定脉冲速率的传统语音处理技术不同 和最近提出的语音处理策略的不同之处在于离散数字 利率，而不是一个连续的整体，被利用。第二个具体目标将考虑编码的效用 虚拟通道中的语音，其中每个虚拟通道由电极和刺激率定义。 这两个目标将通过测试建议的语音处理算法在调整 基于测量的心理物理数据的算法参数。 仅在美国，就有2800万人听力损失，100-200万人完全失聪 个人。由于现代环境中噪音水平的增加，听力损失发生得更早 生活和进步更快，这表明这些数字将继续增长。这样做的目的是 研究是通过优化新颖的方法为这些人提供更好的语音识别性能 用于处理和编码语音信息的技术。

A variety of approaches have been considered to improve speech recognition by cochlear implant subjects over the last 20 years. One approach involves using experimental data that probes the status of a particular subjects' electrically stimulated auditory system to tune conventional speech processing systems. Another approach involves investigating new speech processing approaches and algorithms. The goal of the proposed research is to link these two successful research methodologies by investigating the feasibility and optimization of novel speech processing techniques by specifically tuning the algorithm to the measured psychophysical parameters associated with a particular implant subject. The hypothesis that will be investigated is whether encoding dynamic changes in the frequency information present in speech by specifically encoding this information in a variable electrical pulse rate can improve speech understanding by cochlear implant subjects. In the first Specific Aim, a finite set of pulse rates, each based on psychophysical data collected from the subject being tested, will be used to code speech information in each electrode channel. This differs from traditional speech processing techniques which use a non-tuned fixed pulse rate in each channel, and differs from recently presented speech processing strategies in that a discrete number of rates, as opposed to a continuum, are utilized. The second Specific Aim will consider the utility of coding speech in virtual channels, where each virtual channel is defined by an electrode and a stimulation rate. Both Aims will be addressed by testing the proposed speech processing algorithms after adjusting the parameters of the algorithms based on measured psychophysical data. In the United States alone, there are 28 million individuals with hearing loss, and 1-2 million completely deaf individuals. As a result of increasing levels of noise in the modern environment, hearing loss ocurs earlier in life and progresses more rapidly, suggesting that these numbers will continue to grow. The goal of this research is to provide improved speech recognition performance for such individuals by optimizing novel techniques for processing and coding speech information.