Patent ID: 7171272
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: A61N,G10L

Abstract:
1. A method of processing sound signals to generate electrical stimuli for an auditory prosthesis, comprising: determining the amplitude within various frequency components of the sound signals within a predefined sample period; and outputting a set of amplitude values for use in determining a set of stimuli to be applied in said prosthesis; wherein the set of amplitude values are further processed to determine a value for acoustic overall loudness as perceived by a normal hearing listener, and the set of stimuli are processed to determine the perceived overall loudness as perceived by an electric hearing user if the set of stimuli is applied, the set of stimuli being modified if the acoustic overall loudness and the perceived overall loudness do not meet a predefined relationship; and wherein the prosthesis includes an electrode array having multiple electrodes for delivering said stimuli, said stimuli being delivered in discrete stimulation periods, wherein the perceived overall loudness as perceived by an electric hearing listener is determined by a model which assumes that the spatial separation between the electrodes selected for delivering said stimuli does not have a substantial effect upon the perceived overall loudness, and that the loudness contribution of each stimuli can be treated independently when estimating the perceived overall loudness.