The experiments presented in this application examine techniques to better enable users of cochlear implants to enjoy music and to understand speech when there are competing sounds. The difficulty of implantees in these situations is at least partially related to the poor or misleading information about the fundamental frequency of complex sounds which is transmitted by current speech processors. I plan to use amplitude modulation as a cue the fine temporal information that is missing from the output of current processing strategies. I will examine the ability of amplitude modulation to convey pitch and fundamental frequency information on a single electrode, and in-phase across multiple electrodes. Additionally, I will look at the ability of decorrolated phase differences on corresponding electrodes of binaural implants to convey vowel information. Successfully confirmed hypothesis will lead to new processing strategies that will improve music and speech perception.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DC006774-03X1
Application #
7212799
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2004-01-05
Project End
2007-01-04
Budget Start
2006-01-05
Budget End
2007-01-04
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$7,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Melbourne
Department
Type
DUNS #
753575117
City
Melbourne
State
Country
Australia
Zip Code
3010