Nonlinear Cochlear Filter for Treatment of Hearing Deficits

Abstract

A major problem with people who are deaf and receive cochlear implants is the perception of music. While speech is processed by cochlear implants in a fairly reasonable way, music sounds like horrific noisy traffic to someone with a cochlear implant. This is a major detriment to healthy living. Current research in the Portfors lab focuses on developing better sound processing algorithms that can be used in cochlear implants to provide a richer encoding of complex sounds such as music. This research is based on novel findings in the mouse auditory system that suggest that combinations of frequencies present in complex sounds create distortions on the cochlea that lead to much richer perceptions of sounds than if those individual frequencies were played in isolation. By understanding the dynamical nature of the real cochlea, we can develop methods to substantially improve the perception of complex sounds such as music in cochlea implant users.

Applications and Advantages

•Improved perception of music, natural sounds.

•Improved quality of life.

IP Status

Under Review