Patent ID: 8498714

Claim:
A method comprising: dividing, by a sound processor, an audio signal presented to a patient into a plurality of analysis channels, wherein each of the analysis channels contains information corresponding to a distinct frequency band of the audio signal, and wherein a first analysis channel included in the plurality of analysis channels contains fine structure information corresponding to the audio signal; determining, by the sound processor, that a first stimulation channel included in a plurality of stimulation channels made up by a plurality of electrodes implanted within the patient corresponds to the first analysis channel and is configured to convey the fine structure information to the patient; at least partially isolating, by the sound processor, the first stimulation channel from a rest of the stimulation channels by deactivating at least one stimulation channel included in the plurality of stimulation channels and adjacent to the first stimulation channel, reassigning frequencies associated with the deactivated at least one stimulation channel to one or more other stimulation channels included in the plurality of stimulation channels, and directing an implantable cochlear stimulator to apply electrical stimulation representative of the fine structure information to the patient by way of the first stimulation channel while the at least one stimulation channel is deactivated.