Vestibular Stimulation for Cochlear Implant Frequency Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlear implants face challenges in resolving fundamental frequency information due to low spectral resolution, particularly in differentiating between male and female voices, as they struggle to accurately convey low frequency acoustic information, which is essential for speaker identification.
Innovation Solution
The technology stimulates the vestibular tissue to enhance auditory percepts by using vestibular stimulation, targeting residual vestibular function with low frequency components of sound signals, thereby complementing cochlear implant functionality and improving sound source identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cochlear implants use traditional cochlear stimulation only, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to resolve fundamental frequency information and identify sound sources is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cochlear stimulation and vestibular stimulation into a single integrated implantable device. The sound processor generates both cochlear stimulation signals and vestibular stimulation signals from the same acoustic input, merging two stimulation functions into one device to improve spectral resolution without requiring multiple separate implants
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both cochlear stimulation for hearing and vestibular stimulation for balance and spatial orientation. This multi-functionality allows the device to resolve fundamental frequency information through vestibular cues while maintaining a single device structure
2Loss of information
If cochlear implants focus on high frequency stimulation, then cochlear tissue stimulation is effective, but low frequency acoustic information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The vestibular system serves as an intermediary pathway to convey low frequency acoustic information. Since the vestibular system is sensitive to low frequency vibrations, it acts as a mediator to transmit fundamental frequency information that would otherwise be lost in traditional cochlear implant stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed examples include technology to use residual vestibular function or residual vestibular nerve function of a recipient to provide low frequency information to enhance auditory percepts caused by auditory prostheses. An example can include adding a low frequency actuator to a cochlear implant for placement close to the vestibule of the ear. In addition or instead, one or more electrodes can be disposed proximate the vestibule of the ear to electrically stimulate residual vestibular function provided by, for example, the utricle and saccule. The stimulation provided by these components can be optimized for delivery to the vestibular system.