Patent ID: 6572531
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: A61N,H04R

Abstract:
A system for enhancing a patient's hearing capability by mechanically stimulating ossicles in the middle ear of the patient using a cochlear implant device otherwise capable of electrical stimulation of neuro pathways in the cochlea of the patient, said system comprising:an actuator implantable in the patient's middle ear energizable to mechanically vibrate the patient's middle ear ossicles; a cochlear implant device having a plurality of output terminals configurable to drive a cochlear electrode array for electrical stimulation of neuro pathways in the cochlea of the patient wherein said cochlear implant device is instead configured for producing an output drive signal on at least one of said output terminals for energizing said actuator; a microphone for producing electric signals representative of sound energy incident thereon; and a sound processor responsive to said electric signals produced by said microphone for producing digital signals for application to said cochlear implant device.