Method For Fitting A Cochlear Implant With Patient Feedback

• US 20100145411A1
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Spitzer, Philipp
• Granted Patent: US 8,565,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36039 fitting procedures
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36132 using patient feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A method is described for fitting to a patient user an audio prostheses having a set of operating parameters. An audio stimulation pattern is initiated to the audio prosthesis. A fit adjustment process is performed during the audio stimulation pattern, which includes: changing a set of selected operating parameter values. Patient feedback is received that indicates a subjective performance evaluation of operation of the audio prosthesis. The process is repeated (e.g., continuously) to collect performance evaluation data related to the operating parameter values. Then the operating parameters are set based on the performance evaluation data.

Claims

1. A method of fitting to a patient an audio prosthesis having a set of operating parameters, the method comprising:

initiating an audio stimulation pattern to the audio prosthesis;

performing a fit adjustment process during the audio stimulation pattern, the process including;

i. changing a set of selected operating parameter values of the audio prosthesis,

ii. receiving patient feedback indicating a subjective performance evaluation of operation of the audio prosthesis, and

iii. repeating the process to collect performance evaluation data related to the operating parameter values; and

setting the operating parameter values based on the performance evaluation data.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter values are changed continuously and the patient feedback is received continuously.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter values are changed in discrete steps after receiving the patient feedback.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter values are changed sequentially.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter values are changed simultaneously.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter values are changed by the patient.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter values are changed by fit adjustment software.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the operating parameter values are changed based on a Levenberg Marquardt Algorithm.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the patient feedback is received continuously.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the subjective performance evaluation is based on a comparison to operation of the audio prosthesis according to a set of reference operating parameter values.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the audio prosthesis is a cochlear implant.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the audio prosthesis is a digitally programmed hearing aid.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the audio prosthesis is a hybrid acoustic-electrical stimulation system.

14. A system for fitting to a patient an audio prosthesis having a set of operating parameters, the system comprising:

means for initiating an audio stimulation pattern to the audio prosthesis;

means for performing a fit adjustment process during the audio stimulation pattern, the process including;

i. changing a set of selected operating parameter values of the audio prosthesis,

ii. receiving patient feedback indicating a subjective performance evaluation of operation of the audio prosthesis, and

iii. repeating the process to collect performance evaluation data related to the operating parameter values; and

means for setting the operating parameter values based on the performance evaluation data.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the operating parameter values are changed continuously and the patient feedback is received continuously.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein the operating parameter values are changed in discrete steps after receiving the patient feedback.

17. A system according to claim 14, wherein the operating parameter values are changed sequentially.

18. A system according to claim 14, wherein the operating parameter values are changed simultaneously.

19. A system according to claim 14, wherein the operating parameter values are changed by the patient.

20. A system according to claim 14, wherein the operating parameter values are changed by fit adjustment software.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the operating parameter values are changed based on a Levenberg Marquardt Algorithm.

22. A system according to claim 14, wherein the subjective performance evaluation is based on a comparison to operation of the audio prosthesis according to a set of reference operating parameter values.

23. A system according to claim 14, wherein the audio prosthesis is a cochlear implant.

24. A system according to claim 14, wherein the audio prosthesis is a digitally programmed hearing aid.

25. A system according to claim 14, wherein the audio prosthesis is a hybrid acoustic-electrical stimulation system.

26. A computer program product in a computer readable storage medium for fitting to a patient an audio prosthesis having a set of operating parameters, the product comprising:

program code for initiating an audio stimulation pattern to the audio prosthesis;

program code for performing a fit adjustment process during the audio stimulation pattern, the process including;

i. changing a set of selected operating parameter values,

ii. receiving patient feedback indicating a subjective performance evaluation of operation of the audio prosthesis, and

iii. repeating the process to collect performance evaluation data related to the operating parameter values; and

program code for setting the operating parameter values based on the performance evaluation data.

27. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the operating parameter values are changed continuously and the patient feedback is received continuously.

28. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the operating parameter values are changed in discrete steps after receiving the patient feedback.

29. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the operating parameter values are changed sequentially.

30. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the operating parameter values are changed simultaneously.

31. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the operating parameter values are changed by the patient.

32. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the operating parameter values are changed by fit adjustment software.

33. A computer program product according to claim 32, wherein the operating parameter values are changed based on a Levenberg Marquardt Algorithm.

34. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the subjective performance evaluation is based on a comparison to operation of the audio prosthesis according to a set of reference operating parameter values.

35. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the audio prosthesis is a cochlear implant.

36. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the audio prosthesis is a digitally programmed hearing aid.

37. A computer program product according to claim 26, wherein the audio prosthesis is a hybrid acoustic-electrical stimulation system.