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

已经考虑了多种方法来改善人工耳蜗受试者的语音识别 在过去的20年里。一种方法涉及使用实验数据来探测特定 受试者的电刺激听觉系统来调整传统的语音处理系统。另一 方法涉及研究新的语音处理方法和算法。的目标 建议的研究是通过调查可行性和 通过将算法具体调整到所测量的语音质量， 与特定植入主体相关联的心理物理参数。这个假设 研究的是是否编码动态变化的频率信息存在于语音中， 以可变电脉冲速率对该信息进行具体编码可以通过 人工耳蜗植入者在第一个特定目标中，一组有限的脉搏率，每个都基于心理物理学 从受试者收集的数据将用于编码每个电极中的语音信息 频道这不同于使用非调谐固定脉冲速率的传统语音处理技术 在每个通道中，并且与最近提出的语音处理策略的不同之处在于， 的速率，而不是一个连续的，是利用。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速率限定。 这两个目标将通过调整后测试提出的语音处理算法来解决， 基于测量的心理物理数据的算法的参数。 仅在美国，就有2800万人听力损失，1-2百万人完全失聪 个体由于现代环境中噪音水平的增加，听力损失在早期就出现了。 生活和进步更快，这表明这些数字将继续增长。这个目标 研究是通过优化新颖的语音识别技术， 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.