Patent ID: 6754537
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A hybrid cochlear stimulator and hearing aid system comprising:a short cochlear electrode array, having a plurality of spaced apart electrodes thereon; adapted for insertion into the basal region of the scala tympani duct of a human cochlea; an implantable stimulator electrically connected to the electrodes on the short cochlear electrode array; microphone means for sensing acoustic sounds and converting the sensed acoustic sounds to electrical signals; and signal processing means for processing the electrical signals and generating high-frequency control signals therefrom representative of the higher frequency content of the sensed acoustic sounds; the implantable stimulator having means responsive to the high-frequency control signals generated by the signal processing means for selectively generating electrical stimuli and applying the electrical stimuli to the electrodes of the electrode array, whereby the basal region of the scala tympani duct is stimulated with electrical stimuli representative of the higher-frequency content of the sensed acoustic sounds.