Psychophysical studies evaluating the feasibility of a speech processing strategy for a multiple-channel cochlear implant

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Abstract
Psychophysical studies were reported on a multiple-channel cochlear implant patient evaluating the feasibility of a speech processing strategy which converts the acoustic fundamental frequency to electric repetition rate, the 2nd-formant frequency to electrode position, and the acoustic amplitude to current level. The first 4 studies evaluated the use of a special pulse pattern to minimize the loudness variation with electric repetition rate. The chosen pulse pattern consisted of multiple pulses occurring in the 1st half of each repetitive period (MPP) in contrast to the more conventional pattern with a single pulse/period (SPP). MPP approximately equalized the loudness variation with repetition rate. The dynamic range of current, the pitch variation with repetition rate, and the difference limens for repetition rate were found to be similar for MPP and SPP. Two other studies investigated interaction between electrode position and repetition rate (RR). The first of these showed that the patient could make use of information provided by rising or falling RR trajectories superimposed on individual electrodes or electrode trajectories as an indicator of the direction of intonation variation. The 2nd of these studies showed that the dissimilarities among the hearing sensations produced by steady-state stimuli differing in electrode position and repetition rate were characterized by 2 perceptual components, relating to the 2 electric parameters, respectively.

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