Patent ID: 8768475

Claim:
A system comprising: a sound processor configured to divide an audio signal 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; first electrical circuitry configured to generate electrical stimulation in accordance with information contained within each of a plurality of analysis channels; and second electrical circuitry configured to apply the electrical stimulation to at least one stimulation site within a patient via a plurality of stimulation channels, each of the stimulation channels corresponding to one of the analysis channels and configured to convey the information contained within the analysis channels to the patient; wherein a first stimulation channel included in the plurality of stimulation channels is configured to convey the fine structure information to the patient; and wherein the second electrical circuitry is further configured to at least partially isolate 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.