Systems and methods for detecting one or more central auditory potentials
View Patent ↗An exemplary signal processing unit includes 1) a microphone configured to detect one or more acoustic signals, 2) processing circuitry configured to process the one or more acoustic signals, and 3) a port configured to receive one or more electrodes that are configured to be placed on an outer surface of the head of a patient and to detect one or more central auditory potentials. The processing circuitry may be further configured to process the detected central auditory potentials.
1. A system comprising:
a behind-the-ear signal processing unit housed within a single casing and configured to be located external to a cochlear implant patient, the behind-the-ear signal processing unit comprising a port and further configured to generate one or more stimulation parameters defining a stimulation current applied to a cochlea of the cochlear implant patient via one or more implanted electrodes; and
one or more external electrodes configured to be removably coupled directly to the port of the behind-the-ear signal processing unit;
wherein the behind-the-ear signal processing unit is further configured to
use the one or more external electrodes removably coupled directly to the port of the behind-the-ear signal processing unit to detect one or more central auditory potentials generated in response to the stimulation current applied to the cochlea of the cochlear implant patient via the one or more implanted electrodes, and
process the detected one or more central auditory potentials.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable cochlear stimulator is configured to synchronize the generation of the stimulation current with the detection of the one or more central auditory potentials.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processing unit is further configured to adjust one or more of the stimulation parameters in accordance with the detected one or more central auditory potentials.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more external electrodes removably coupled directly to the port of the signal processing unit comprise:
a first external electrode configured to serve as a sensing electrode; and
a second external electrode configured to serve as a reference electrode.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processing unit comprises:
a microphone configured to detect one or more acoustic signals; and
circuitry configured to process the detected one or more acoustic signals;
wherein the circuitry is further configured to process the detected one or more central auditory potentials.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the circuitry comprises at least one of an amplifier and a processor.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processing unit comprises a hearing aid.