The University of Melbourne

Cochlear Limited

Blamey & Saunders Hearing Pty Ltd.

The Bionics Institute of Australia

Cochlear Pty. Ltd.

Hearworks Pty, Limited

The Bionic Ear Institute

Dynamic Hearing Pty Ltd

Peter John Blamey

Hugh Joseph McDermott

Brett Anthony Swanson

James Finlay Patrick

Graeme Milbourne Clark

Christopher John James

Lois Martin

Konrad Wildi

Peter M Seligman

Richard C Dowell

Bonar Dickson

Henry Carter Smith

David Wright

Christopher Edward Williams

Nicholas Campbell Sinclair

Collette McKay

Mohit Naresh Shivdasani

Hugh J Mcdermott

Benjamin John Smith

Kyle Damon Slater

Hugh Joseph Mcdermott

Systems and method for pre-fitting a sound processing device for a user in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In many embodiments, systems and methods can be executed by a computing device and include obtaining a hearing map representing the user's hearing, establishing a virtual signal processing path in the computing device which reflects a signal processing function of the sound processing device, updating parameters of the virtual signal processing path based on said hearing map, and passing an audio signal through the virtual signal processing path and playing back the processed audio signal to the user.

Automated fitting of hearing devices

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sound processing device with a binaural input and binaural output, where 'binaural input' means at least one microphone mounted in or near each ear of the device user, and 'binaural output' means at least one output signal directed to each ear. The device may be comprised of two parts connected by a wired or wireless link. The device comprises: at least one microphone in or near each ear for the transduction of the sound at each ear; a signal-to-noise estimation module to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio present at each ear; a comparison and selection module to compare the signal-to-noise ratios present at the two ears and select the ear with the greater signal-to-noise ratio; a noise reduction control module that uses the spectral and temporal information from the selected ear signal to control two identical noise reduction modules; two identical noise reduction modules that process the signals from the two ears, under the control of the control module; and two output modules that amplify the output signals from the noise reduction modules appropriately for each ear and present the amplified signals as sound or other signals to each ear of the device user. The device may be implemented in dedicated hardware embodiment or by software running on a microprocessor.

System and method for binaural noise reduction in a sound processing device

Visual prosthesis apparatus includes an image receiver, a processor coupled to the image receiver, a stimulation device coupled to the processor, and an eye monitoring device coupled to the processor. The image receiver receives a sequence of images and the processor produces a stimulation signal at least partially in accordance with the received images. The stimulation device receives the stimulation signal and stimulates visual neurons of a user accordingly to provide the user with a visual percept. The eye monitoring device monitors one or more ocular parameters at an eye region of the user, wherein one or more control functions are associated with the monitored ocular parameters. The processor controls the visual prosthesis apparatus in accordance with the monitored ocular parameters and the associated control functions. The one or more ocular parameters can include pupil size, state of closure of the user's eyelid and direction of eye gaze.

Visual prosthesis apparatus

Fitting a sound processing device for an individual is automated using a computer. Fitting and customization is carried out using natural sounds without specialized audiometric equipment or audiological expertise. Software for this purpose is downloaded from an internet portal. The computer plays back acoustic signals, and obtains user input reflecting the user's perceptions of the acoustic signals, from which a hearing map is derived, representing the user's hearing. An algorithm updates the device fitting based on the hearing map. Also provided is pre-sale virtual device fitting, whereby a virtual signal processing path is established in the computer, reflecting a signal processing function of a sound processing device of interest to the user. An algorithm updates parameters of the virtual processing path, based on the hearing map. Audio signals passed through the virtual processing path are played back to the user, giving the user an acoustic indication of future device performance.

A method and apparatus is described for electrically stimulating a patient's retina with an electrode array () implanted in the patient's eye, wherein one or more images are captured; at least one line and/or edge in the images is determined (), a line of electrodes in the electrode array corresponding to a detected line and/or edge is identified (); and electrical current is applied simultaneously to electrodes of the identified line of electrodes.

Method and apparatus for stimulating retinal nerve cells

The sound processor and method uses a model of basilar membrane motion to select stimuli, based upon the predicted motion which the acoustic signal presented would produce in an acoustically excited normally hearing cochlea. The filter; used, in contrast to single channel per electrode approaches, cover multiple channels and overlap with each other. Consequently the stimuli presented produce a neural excitation pattern which approximates the spatio-temporal travelling wave observed on the basilar membrane in an acoustically excited normally hearing cochlea. Preferably, the predicted electrode stimuli are based upon the instantaneous predicted amplitude of the electrode location.

Sound processor for a cochlear implant

In one aspect of the invention, a cochlear implant constructed and arranged to successively generate stimulation signals each comprising at least one stimulus pulse such that said successive stimulation signals incrementally build a neural excitation pattern that accurately reflects a received sound. In one embodiment, each said successive stimulation signal is generated based on the cumulative effect of all previous stimulus pulses, thereby compensating for finite spatial spreading of individual stimulus pulses as well as for the temporal integration of the neural excitation pattern along the neural pathways.

Incremental stimulation sound processor

A method and apparatus for detecting an envelope of an audio signal, and a method and apparatus for enhancing the pitch cue of an audio signal perceived by a cochlear implant patient where the audio signal is processed and input to an implant device of the recipient. The methods and apparatuses use techniques such as filtering, rectifying, detecting peak values, sampling, resetting, comparing and multiplying various signals to detect the envelope or enhance the pitch cue of the audio signal.

Method and apparatus for envelope detection and enhancement of pitch cue of audio signals

In one embodiment, an apparatus for processing sound includes a means () for analyzing a sound signal into a number of frequency bands and a means () for applying variable gain to each frequency band independently. Gain in applied under control of a number of gain comparator means () each of which generates a number of statistical distribution estimates in respect of each signal and compares those estimates to predetermined hearing response parameters stored in memory (). The numerous gain compensated frequency bands are then combined () in order to generate a single sound signal. The apparatus may be implemented in dedicated hardware embodiment or by software running on a microprocessor.

Adaptive dynamic range optimization sound processor

In one embodiment, an apparatus for processing sound includes a means () for analysing a sound signal into a number of frequency bands and a means () for applying variable gain to each frequency band independently. Gain in applied under control of a number of gain comparator means () each of which generates a number ot statistical distribution estimates in respect of each signal and compares those estimates to predetermined hearing presponse parameters stored in memory (). The numerous gain compensated frequency bands are then combined () in order to generate a single sound signal. The apparatus may be implemented in dedicated hardware embodiment or by software running on a microprocessor.

The invention relates to oscillation detection and, more particularly, concerns a method and apparatus for identifying oscillation in a signal due to feedback, permitting appropriate action to be taken to suppress the oscillation. The method involves using an FFT device or similar to convert a signal at each of a series of successive time windows into the frequency domain, calculating, for each of a plurality of frequency bands, the change in signal phase from a time window to a subsequent time window, and comparing, for some or all of said frequency bands, the results of the calculation step to one or more defined criteria to provide a measure of whether oscillation due to feedback is present in the signal. For additional discrimination, the change in signal amplitude from a time window to a subsequent time window may also be calculated for each of the frequency bands, and the result compared with one or more further defined criteria. The invention has particular application in hearing aid devices.

Oscillation detection

A sound processing method for auditory prostheses, such as cochlear implants, which is adapted to improve the perception of loudness by users, and to improve speech perception. The overall contribution of stimuli to simulated loudness is compared with an estimate of acoustic loudness for a normally hearing listener based on the input sound signal. A weighting is applied to the filter channels to emphasize those frequencies which are most important to speech perception for normal hearing listeners when selecting channels as a basis for stimulation.

Sound-processing strategy for cochlear implants

In one embodiment an apparatus for processing sound includes a means ( ) for analyzing a sound signal into a number frequency bands and a means ( ) for applying variable gain to each frequency band independently. Gain is applied under control of a number of gain comparator means ( ) each of which generates a number of statistical estimates in respect of each signal and compares those estimates to predetermined hearing response parameters stored in memory ( ). The numerous gain compensated frequency bands are then combined ( ) in order to generate a single sound signal. The apparatus may be implemented in dedicated hardware embodiment or by software running on a microprocessor.

Growing community of inventors

South Yarra, Australia

Peter John Blamey