Cochlear Limited

About: Cochlear Limited is a company organization based out in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cochlear implant & Hearing loss. The organization has 1290 authors who have published 1479 publications receiving 33109 citations. The organization is also known as: кохлеарные Americas & COCHLEAR LIMITED.

Use of the event-related P300 potential in cochlear implant subjects for the study of strategy-dependent speech processing.

Abstract: The present overview is a compilation of the results of several event-related potential (ERP) studies on auditory cortical processing, performed in the Evoked Potential Laboratory of the University Medical Centre of Nijmegen. To study speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) subjects, ERPs were obtained from subjects with poor and moderate performance. The present report describes the relationships between speech-coding strategies, the presentation of speech by the CI processor, the P300 potential as a measure of speech discrimination, time effects in the long term and speech recognition in relation to ERPs.

A Stereo Music Preprocessing Scheme for Cochlear Implant Users

Abstract: Objective : Listening to music is still one of the more challenging aspects of using a cochlear implant (CI) for most users. Simple musical structures, a clear rhythm/beat, and lyrics that are easy to follow are among the top factors contributing to music appreciation for CI users. Modifying the audio mix of complex music potentially improves music enjoyment in CI users. Methods: A stereo music preprocessing scheme is described in which vocals, drums, and bass are emphasized based on the representation of the harmonic and the percussive components in the input spectrogram, combined with the spatial allocation of instruments in typical stereo recordings. The scheme is assessed with postlingually deafened CI subjects ( N = 7) using pop/rock music excerpts with different complexity levels. Results: The scheme is capable of modifying relative instrument level settings, with the aim of improving music appreciation in CI users, and allows individual preference adjustments. The assessment with CI subjects confirms the preference for more emphasis on vocals, drums, and bass as offered by the preprocessing scheme, especially for songs with higher complexity. Conclusion: The stereo music preprocessing scheme has the potential to improve music enjoyment in CI users by modifying the audio mix in widespread (stereo) music recordings. Significance: Since music enjoyment in CI users is generally poor, this scheme can assist the music listening experience of CI users as a training or rehabilitation tool.

Implantable sound sensor for hearing prostheses

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis is disclosed, the hearing prosthesis comprising an implantable sound sensor comprising: a hermetically sealed biocompatible housing with a membrane on the surface thereof; a coupling mechanism for coupling the membrane to a structure of a recipient's ear that vibrates in response to sound received by the recipient's ear; a vibrational sensor disposed in the housing to detect vibrations of the membrane, and to generate signals representative of the detected vibrations; and a transmitter configured to externally provide the generated signals.

Alpha EEG Frontal Asymmetries during Audiovisual Perception in Cochlear Implant Users. A Study with Bilateral and Unilateral Young Users.

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate the variations of the electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha rhythm in order to measure the appreciation of bilateral and unilateral young cochlear implant users during the observation of a musical cartoon. The cartoon has been modified for the generation of three experimental conditions: one with the original audio, another one with a distorted sound and, finally, a mute version. Methods: The EEG data have been recorded during the observation of the cartoons in the three experimental conditions. The frontal alpha EEG imbalance has been calculated as a measure of motivation and pleasantness to be compared across experimental populations and conditions. Results: The EEG frontal imbalance of the alpha rhythm showed significant variations during the perception of the different cartoons. In particular, the pattern of activation of normal-hearing children is very similar to the one elicited by the bilateral implanted patients. On the other hand, results related to the unilateral subjects do not present significant variations of the imbalance index across the three cartoons. Conclusion: The presented results suggest that the unilateral patients could not appreciate the difference in the audio format as well as bilaterally implanted and normal hearing subjects. The frontal alpha EEG imbalance is a useful tool to detect the differences in the appreciation of audiovisual stimuli in cochlear implant patients.

Cochlear implants: response to therapeutic irradiation.

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the response of cochlear implants (“bionic ears”) to therapeutic irradiation. Methods and Materials: A patient with a cochlear implant was referred for palliative cranial irradiation. As there were no published or manufacturer’s data available regarding the response to radiation, implants were tested for functional changes following irradiation. Cochlear implants were supplied by Cochlear Ltd. Two units each of models CI22M, CI22M (with the second generation integrated circuit) and CI24M were irradiated with 4 MV X-rays, and an unirradiated unit of each model was used as a control. The implants were irradiated initially with 25 daily fractions to 50 Gy. To determine the response at higher doses, 10 Gy fractions were delivered to the same implants to 100 Gy, followed by a final fraction of 50 Gy (total dose 150 Gy). The implants were tested after each 10 Gy, up to 100 Gy, and at 150 Gy. Several indicators of functionality were assessed, including RF (radio frequency) link range, and stimulator output current. The radiation shielding effect of the implants was also assessed. Results: Within the dose range ≤ 50 Gy, the stimulator output current of the CI22M units was the only parameter to change. At higher doses (to 150 Gy), changes in current output continued, and gradual loss of RF link range occurred in the CI22M units. The CI24M units showed changes in output current to 100 Gy, and large changes at 150 Gy. Dose attenuation by the implants was measured at 6% for ipsilateral single field 4 MV X-rays. Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients with these cochlear implants can receive cranial irradiation with a low risk of implant failure. Changes in stimulator output current can be compensated simply by re-programming the speech map after the course of radiation treatment.