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Across-frequency delays based on the cochlear traveling wave: enhanced speech presentation for cochlear implants
Daniel A Taft1, David B Grayden, Anthony N Burkitt
1Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. dtaft@bionicear.org
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|October 23, 2009
Summary
Desynchronizing frequency bands in cochlear implants may improve speech perception. This study found significant group improvements in quiet listening for cochlear implant users with the advanced combination encoder (ACE) strategy.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Speech Processing
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) use narrow-band filters to stimulate the auditory nerve.
- The normal cochlea exhibits frequency band desynchronization, which may enhance speech perception.
- The advanced combination encoder (ACE) is a common CI sound-processing strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To computationally investigate the effects of across-frequency delays on stimulation patterns in the ACE strategy.
- To assess the impact of across-frequency delays on speech perception in CI users employing the ACE strategy.
Main Methods:
- Computational modeling of ACE strategy with varying across-frequency delays.
- Speech perception tests (sentences in noise, words in quiet) with CI users (n=8) using the ACE strategy and across-frequency delays.
Main Results:
- Computational analysis showed reduced stimulus discarding for voiced speech with delays.
- Speech perception in noise: 3/8 subjects improved, 4/8 showed no change, 1/8 worsened.
- Speech perception in quiet: 4/8 subjects improved word recognition, 4/8 showed no change.
- A statistically significant group improvement (P < 0.05) was observed for speech in quiet.
Conclusions:
- Across-frequency delays show promise for enhancing speech perception in cochlear implant users, particularly in quiet conditions.
- These delays can be readily integrated into existing ACE sound-processing strategies.
- Further research may optimize across-frequency delays for improved CI outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
01:10Interference: Path Lengths
Consider two sources of sound, that may or may not be in phase, emitting waves at a single frequency, and consider the frequencies to be the same.
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...