Cochlear Limited

Bernd Waldmann

Hans Leysieffer

Tiago Rocha Felix

Hans Dr-Ing Leysieffer

Presented herein are directed to techniques for using objective measurements to determine a combined efficiency of an implantable actuator and a mechanical coupling of the implantable actuator to an auditory structure of an ear of a recipient. In particular, the implantable actuator is activated so as to deliver, via the mechanical coupling, mechanical stimulation to the auditory structure to effect a pressure change in an inner ear of the recipient. At least one stimulation device, that is separate from the implantable actuator, is configured to deliver secondary stimulation to the recipient to also effect a pressure change in the inner ear of the recipient. Objective measurements are performed to intra-operatively capture auditory evoked responses of the recipient in response to the mechanical stimulation and in response to the secondary stimulation. These auditory evoked responses are analyzed to determine a vibratory coupling efficiency.

Intra-operative determination of vibratory coupling efficiency

A system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder which comprises at least one acoustic sensor for picking up an acoustic signal and converting it into an electrical audio signal, an electronic signal processing unit for audio signal processing and amplification, an electrical power supply unit which supplies individual components of the system with current, and an actuator arrangement which is provided with one or more electroacoustic, electromechanical or purely electrical output-side actuators or any combination of these actuators for stimulation of damaged hearing, wherein the signal processing unit has a speech analysis and recognition module and a speech synthesis module.

System for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder

In order to substantially realistically pre-operatively demonstrate to patients having an impaired hearing the effect and sound impression of an least partially implantable hearing system including a first electronic audio signal processing unit, a demonstration device is provided which comprises an electromechanical transducer adapted for being non-invasively coupled from the side of the external auditory canal to at least approximately the center of the tympanic membrane and thus to the end point of the manubrium mallei for producing mechanical vibrations of the tympanic membrane, an electronic audio signal generator unit, and a second electronic audio signal processing unit connected between the audio signal generator unit and the electromechanical transducer for driving the electromechanical transducer, wherein the second audio signal processing unit corresponds to or simulates the first electronic audio signal processing unit. A further aspect of the invention is a process for preoperatively demonstrating the effect and sound impression of an at least partially implantable hearing system intended to be implanted.

Device for pre-operative demonstration of implantable hearing systems

An at least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder with at least one sensor for picking up an acoustic signal and converting the acoustic signal into corresponding electrical signals, an electronic signal processing unit for audio signal processing and amplification, an electrical power supply unit which supplies energy to individual components of the system, and an output-side electromechanical transducer arrangement which consists of at least two independent and spatially separate transducers for stimulation of the inner ear. In conformity with the invention, the output-side electromechanical transducers are designed for stimulation of the fluid-filled inner ear spaces of the damaged inner ear and the signal processing unit comprises driving signal processing electronics which electrically controls each of the transducers such that a traveling wave configuration is formed on the basilar membrane of the damaged inner ear. The traveling wave configuration approximates the formation of a traveling wave of a healthy, undamaged inner ear.

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Munich, Germany

Bernd Waldmann