Cochlear Limited

Kyriaky Griffin

Michael Goorevich

Timothy Neal

Bastiaan Van Dijk

Ernst Ludwig Von Wallenberg

A method includes determining a first feature of a first audio signal at a first location in a signal processing path and determining, using the first feature, a first environmental classification of the first signal. Further, the method includes, based on the first environmental classification, enabling, modifying or disabling one or both of a first signal processing mode at the first location and a second signal processing mode at a second location in the signal processing path. The method also includes determining a second feature of a second audio signal at the second location and determining, using the second feature, a second environmental classification of the second signal. Further, the method includes, based on the second environmental classification, enabling, modifying or disabling one or both of the first signal processing mode at the first location and the second signal processing mode at the second location.

Hearing prosthesis processing modes based on environmental classifications

A method for operating a hearing prosthesis is provided. A plurality of settings are provided, each setting providing a different operating functionality for the hearing prosthesis suitable for different situations. A signal analysis is executed on input signals to the hearing prosthesis. The signal analysis monitors characteristics of a current situation to detect any change and, in the case of detecting change, classifies the current situation into one of a plurality of predefined states. The suitability of the settings is compared with the determined state. One or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is identified for the current situation. The one or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is presented to a user . The user is then allowed to make a selection from the presented choice(s) of setting(s). If a selection is received from the user, the selected setting is executed. A hearing prosthesis is also provided.

Optimizing operational control of a hearing prosthesis

Automated sound processor with audio signal feature determination and processing mode adjustment

A method of processing audio signals for an auditory prosthesis is provided. The method includes a noise reduction step and a later compression step. A gain control step is provided prior to the compression step. The gain control step operates so as to minimize the occurrence of signal compression in the compression step. An auditory prosthesis arranged to provide the method is also provided.

Noise reduction in auditory prostheses

A method for operating a hearing prosthesis is provided. A plurality of settings are provided, each setting providing a different operating functionality for the hearing prosthesis suitable for different situations. A signal analysis is executed on input signals to the hearing prosthesis. The signal analysis monitors characteristics of a current situation to detect any change and, in the case of detecting change, classifies the current situation into one of a plurality of predefined states. The suitability of the settings is compared with the determined state. One or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is identified for the current situation. The one or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is presented to a user. The user is then allowed to make a selection from the presented choice(s) of setting(s). If a selection is received from the user, the selected setting is executed. A hearing prosthesis is also provided.

A method of processing audio signals for an auditory prosthesis is provided. The method includes a noise reduction step () and a later compression step (). A gain control step is provided prior to the compression step (). The gain control step operates so as to minimize the occurrence of signal compression in the compression step (). An auditory prosthesis arranged to provide the method is also provided.

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for optimizing which sound processing modes are enabled in the sound processing pathway of a hearing prosthesis. A sound processor classifies in the input signal and enables a first sound processing mode based on the classification of the input signal. The sound processor transforms the input signal into a transformed signal based on the enabled sound processing mode. The processor further classifies the transformed signal and identifies a second classification. Based on the second classification, the processor enables a second sound processing mode. Sometimes, the second classification is a classification that is only apparent to the sound processor after the first sound processing mode has been enabled. The second processing mode transforms the transformed signal into an output signal based on the second enabled sound processing mode.

Automated sound processor

A cochlear implant implementing a directional sound processing system is provided. Specifically, the cochlear implants implementing the present invention comprise a plurality of audio sensors arranged in at least one external component of the cochlear implant to spatially receive ambient sound. At least one audio sensor is located in one of the external components of the cochlear implant, while one other audio sensor is located elsewhere, such as in a component other than the first component. The cochlear implant includes an directional sound processor comprising an array processor and a sound processor to convert the received sounds into a cochlea stimulation instruction signal.

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Kellyville, Australia

Kyriaky Griffin