Multi-channel object-oriented audio bitstream processor for cochlear implants

• US 9,393,412 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Strahl, Stefan, Falch, Cornelia
• Primary Examiner(s): Alter, Alyssa M
• Application Number:
  US14/136,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20140128940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 607/57
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36039 fitting procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/505 using digital signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2420/03 Application of parametric coding in stereophonic audio systems

Abstract

An audio-cochlear implant processor device for a hearing impaired listener is described. An input signal decoder decodes an audio input data signal into a corresponding multi-channel audio signal representing multiple audio objects. An audio processor adjusts the multi-channel audio output based on user-specific hearing impairment characteristics to produce a processed audio output to a cochlear implant audio processor with auditory scene analysis (ASA) cues for the hearing impaired listener.

Claims

1. An audio-cochlear implant processor device for a hearing impaired listener, the device comprising:

an input signal decoder configured for decoding an audio input data signal into a corresponding multi-channel audio signal representing a plurality of audio objects; and

an audio processor configured for adjusting the multi-channel audio signal based on a computation of masking and distortion using known user-specific hearing impairment characteristics to suppress degrading effects of the masking and distortion and produce a processed audio output to a cochlear implant audio processor providing auditory scene analysis (ASA) cues for the hearing impaired listener.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the input signal decoder is configured to represent a mix of a plurality of audio objects in each channel of the multi-channel audio signal.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the input signal decoder is configured to include source separation demixing information for the audio objects in each channel of the multi-channel audio signal.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the input signal decoder is configured for decoding an audio input data signal that is based on an audio recording playback signal.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the input signal decoder is configured for decoding an audio input data signal that is based on real time audio sources.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the audio processor is configured for adjusting the multi-channel audio signal based on user-specific hearing impairment characteristics that include user audiogram data.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the audio processor is configured for adjusting the multi-channel audio signal based on user-specific hearing impairment characteristics that include user-specific processing fit data.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the audio processor is configured for adjusting the multi-channel audio signal based on user-specific hearing impairment characteristics that include a parameter control information feedback signal from the cochlear implant audio processor.

9. A computer-implemented method employing at least one hardware implemented computer processor for processing audio signals for a cochlear implant processor of a hearing impaired listener, the method comprising:

automatically decoding an audio input data signal into a corresponding multi-channel audio signal representing a plurality of audio objects; and

adjusting the multi-channel audio signal based on a computation of masking and distortion using known user-specific hearing impairment characteristics to suppress degrading effects of the masking and distortion and produce a processed audio output to the cochlear implant audio processor providing auditory scene analysis (ASA) cues for the hearing impaired listener.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein each channel of the multi-channel audio signal represents a mix of a plurality of audio objects.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the multi-channel audio signal includes source separation demixing information for the audio objects in each channel.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the audio input data signal is based on an audio recording playback signal.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the audio input data signal is based on real time audio sources.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the user-specific hearing impairment characteristics include user audiogram data.

15. A method according to claim 9, wherein the user-specific hearing impairment characteristics include user-specific processing fit data.

16. A method according to claim 9, wherein the user-specific hearing impairment characteristics include a parameter control information feedback signal from the cochlear implant audio processor.

17. A cochlear implant system using the method according to any of claims 9-16.