Psychophysics of speech processor modifications in cochlear implants

描述(由申请人提供)：为了衡量新技术对人工耳蜗性能的改善，需要良好的结果衡量标准。通常，语音识别任务被用作人工耳蜗研究中的临床结果衡量标准，但它们并不是比较不同声音处理策略之间性能的理想工具，因为语音感知能力随着时间的推移而变化。此外，语音测量并不总是反映信号处理的潜在优势或劣势。为了解决这些问题，我们建议使用心理物理测量作为人工耳蜗声处理策略的工程化开发工具。我们假设，通过声音处理器的心理物理测量比语音或音乐结果测量对信号处理更敏感。为了验证我们的假设，我们建议使用四种不同的信号处理策略，包括Fidelity120、高分辨率、ACE(高级组合编码器)和MP3000。将运行三种心理物理测量，包括频谱涟漪辨别测试、调制检测测试和施罗德相位辨别测试，以确定每种声音处理策略的时间和频谱敏感性。将进行三种不同的临床结果测量，包括安静和噪声中的语音识别和音乐感知。此外，我们还提出了单通道施罗德相位测试作为通道内时间精细结构灵敏度的测试。如果单通道施罗德相位测试对不同的声音处理策略的变化敏感，并且其中任何一种策略改善了通道内的时间精细结构编码，我们假设单通道施罗德相位测试将显示这一点。为了验证这一假设，我们将使用两种不同的声音处理策略，包括连续交错采样(CIS)和同时模拟刺激(SAS)。从本研究中获得的知识可能会简化对临床声音处理器如何以及为什么可以改善听力的分析。通过拟议的研究，这个问题可以分解为评估声音处理对几个临床相关声学元素的影响，省去了听觉语音、噪音中的语音或音乐的复杂性，并提供了对声音处理器传递声学信息的更详细的理解。这项拟议的研究的主要目的是解决声音处理器对人工耳蜗使用者听到与其临床成功相关的声学变化的能力的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In order to measure improvement in cochlear implant performance due to new technologies, good outcome measures are required. Typically, speech recognition tasks have been used as a clinical outcome measure in cochlear implant research, but they are not ideal tool for comparing performance among different sound processing strategies because speech perception ability changes over time with experience. In addition, a speech measure does not always reflect the underlying advantage or disadvantage of the signal processing. To solve those problems, we propose to use psychophysical measures as an engineering development tool for cochlear implant sound processing strategies. We hypothesize that psychophysical measures through the sound processors are more sensitive than speech or music outcome measures to signal processing manipulations. In order to test our hypothesis, we propose to use four different signal processing strategies including Fidelity120, HiResolution, ACE (Advanced combination encoder), and MP3000. Three psychophysical measures including a spectral-ripple discrimination test, modulation detection test, and Schroeder-phase discrimination test will be run to determine the temporal and spectral sensitivity of each sound processing strategy. Three different clinical outcome measures including speech recognition in quiet and noise, and music perception will be conducted. In addition, we propose a single-channel Schroeder-phase test as a test of within-channel temporal fine structure sensitivity. If the single-channel Schroeder-phase test is sensitive to changes with the different sound processing strategies and if any of strategies improves within-channel temporal fine structure encoding, we hypothesize that the single-channel Schroeder-phase test will show it. To test this hypothesis, we will use two different sound processing strategies including CIS (continuous interleaved sampling) and SAS (simultaneous analog stimulation). The knowledge gained from the present study might simplify the analysis of how and why clinical sound processor do or do not improve hearing. Through the proposed study, the problem can be broken down into evaluating the effect of sound processing on several clinically relevant acoustic elements, saving from the complexities of hearing speech, speech in noise or music, and providing a more detailed understanding of how well a sound processor can deliver acoustic information. The main point of the proposed study is to address the effect of sound processors on the ability of cochlear implant users to hear acoustic changes that are relevant to their clinical success.