Tonality-based optimization of sound sensation for a cochlear implant patient

1. A method comprising:

dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels each corresponding to a particular electrode included in a plurality of electrodes implanted in a patient;

generating tonality indices for each of said analysis channels in said plurality of analysis channels, said tonality indices each representing a tonality associated with one of said analysis channels;

generating one or more stimulation pulses configured to represent said audio signal in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters; and

adjusting at least one of said stimulation parameters based on at least one of said tonality indices.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying said stimulation pulses to a stimulation site within a patient.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said stimulation site comprises a location within a cochlea of said patient.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said adjusting comprises adjusting an electrode configuration through which said stimulation pulses are applied to a stimulation site.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said adjusting of said electrode configuration comprises focusing an excitation field produced by at least one of said stimulation pulses.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising increasing said focusing of said excitation field in response to an increase in at least one of said tonality indices.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising decreasing said focusing of said excitation field in response to a decrease in at least one of said tonality indices.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein said adjusting of said electrode configuration comprises adjusting an amount of current steering corresponding to at least one of said stimulation pulses.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said adjusting comprises adjusting a stimulation rate of said stimulation pulses.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising decreasing said stimulation rate in response to an increase in at least one of said tonality indices.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

generating one or more peak estimates for one or more of said analysis channels; and

adjusting said stimulation parameters based on at least one of said peak estimates.

12. A method comprising:

dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels each corresponding to a particular electrode included in a plurality of electrodes implanted in a patient;

generating tonality indices for each of said analysis channels in said plurality of analysis channels, said tonality indices each representing a tonality associated with one of said analysis channels;

generating one or more stimulation pulses configured to represent said audio signal in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

applying said stimulation pulses to a stimulation site within a patient via at least one electrode; and

dynamically adjusting at least one of an electrode configuration of said at least one electrode and a stimulation rate of said stimulation pulses in response to a change in at least one of said tonality indices.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said adjusting of said electrode configuration comprises focusing an excitation field produced by said at least one electrode.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising increasing said focusing of said excitation field in response to an increase in at least one of said tonality indices.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein said adjusting of said electrode configuration comprises adjusting an amount of current steering corresponding to at least one of said stimulation pulses.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising decreasing said stimulation rate in response to an increase in at least one of said tonality indices.