Electro-acoustic Stimulation Fitting System Current Field Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro-acoustic stimulation systems for hearing loss patients with residual low-frequency hearing and severe high-frequency hearing loss face interactions between acoustic and electrical stimulation that can degrade the listening experience, with electrical stimulation sometimes suppressing acoustic stimulation, making it difficult to enhance speech understanding and music appreciation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for fitting electro-acoustic stimulation systems that determine the interactive effect of electrical stimulation on acoustic stimulation during a fitting session, and adjust the stimulation strategy to steer the current field away from or towards intracochlear acoustic responders based on whether the interaction is suppressive or enhancing, allowing for optimal delivery of both types of stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electrical stimulation is provided by an EAS system to patients with severe high-frequency hearing loss, then high frequency perception is improved, but acoustic stimulation in low frequencies is suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into distinct bands handled by different stimulation modes: acoustic stimulation for low frequencies and electrical stimulation for high frequencies. The fitting system separately evaluates interactive effects for different frequency regions and applies frequency-specific stimulation strategies, dividing the cochlea into apical (low frequency) and basal (high frequency) regions with different current field management approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different stimulation strategies to different regions of the cochlea. In the apical region where acoustic responders are located, the current field is steered away to prevent suppression. In the basal region for high frequency electrical stimulation, standard strategies are used. This localized approach allows each region to receive optimal stimulation without interfering with the other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If acoustic and electrical stimulation are combined in an EAS system, then both low and high frequency hearing are restored, but interactive effects between the two stimulation types degrade the listening experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the fitting system measures evoked responses to acoustic stimulation both with and without concurrent electrical stimulation. By comparing these responses, the system determines the interactive effect (suppressive or enhancing) and uses this feedback to select appropriate stimulation strategies, continuously optimizing the bimodal stimulation to minimize negative interactions and maximize listening experience quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the EAS system dynamic by allowing real-time adjustment of stimulation parameters based on measured interactive effects. The system can switch between different stimulation strategies (e.g., steering current fields away from or towards acoustic responders) depending on the observed interactions, enabling adaptive optimization of both acoustic and electrical stimulation delivery throughout the device lifecycle.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional hearing aid amplification is used for patients with severe high-frequency hearing loss, then low frequency residual hearing is utilized, but high frequency speech understanding cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of hearing aids and cochlear implants into a single EAS system. The device combines acoustic amplification for low frequencies (preserving residual hearing) with electrical stimulation for high frequencies (restoring severe hearing loss). This unified approach allows simultaneous utilization of low frequency acoustic pathways and high frequency electrical pathways, achieving both low frequency hearing utilization and high frequency speech understanding improvement that neither device could achieve alone.
4Reliability
If electrical stimulation current field is directed towards acoustic responders, then enhancing interactive effect is achieved, but suppressive interaction occurs when directed away
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively steering the electrical stimulation current field away from acoustic responders in the apical region before suppressive interactions can occur. During the fitting process, the system identifies the presence of acoustic responders and pre-configures the stimulation strategy to prevent suppression, rather than attempting to correct it after the fact. This preventive approach ensures optimal acoustic stimulation is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting electrical stimulation parameters (current field direction, intensity, frequency) based on the detected interactive effects. When suppressive interactions are detected, the system changes parameters to steer the current field away from acoustic responders. When enhancing effects are observed, parameters are adjusted to direct current towards responders, dynamically optimizing stimulation delivery through parameter modification.
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary fitting system 1) directs, during a fitting session, an EAS system to concurrently apply acoustic stimulation to a patient by way of a loudspeaker and electrical stimulation to the patient by way of an electrode located within a cochlea of the patient, 2) determines an interactive effect that the electrical stimulation has on the acoustic stimulation, 3) directs, if the determined interactive effect is suppressive, the EAS system to use, during a stimulation session, a first stimulation strategy that steers a current field produced by stimulation of the electrode away from intracochlear acoustic responders within the patient that are associated with the acoustic stimulation, and 4) directs, if the determined interactive effect is enhancing, the EAS system to use, during the stimulation session, a second stimulation strategy that steers the current field produced by the stimulation of the electrode towards the intracochlear acoustic responders.