An application of mapping neural networks and a digital signal processor for cochlear neuroprostheses

Cochlear neuroprostheses strive to restore the sensation of hearing to patients with a profound sensorineural deafness. They exhibit a stimulation of the surviving auditory nerve neurons by electrical currents delivered through electrodes placed on or within the cochlea. The present article describes a new method for an efficient derivation of the required information from the incoming speech signal necessary for the implant stimulation. Also some realization aspects of the new approach are addressed. In the new strategy, a multilayer neural network is employed in the formant frequency estimation having some suitable speech signal descriptors as particular input signals. The proposed method allows us a fast formant frequency estimation necessary for the implant stimulation. With the developed strategy, the prosthesis can be adjusted to the environment which the patient is supposed to live in. Moreover, the neural network concept offers us an alternative for dealing with the areas of neural loss or "holes" in the frequency map of the patient's ear.