The long-term objectives of this research are to understand the physiological mechanisms for encoding the dynamic range of acoustic hearing and to restore or compensate for the reduced dynamic range in electrical hearing. This proposal focuses on both psychophysical and speech perception experiments with the goal of better speech perception through the implant.
Specific aims are to optimize electric parameters in individual cochlear implant users and to design better coding strategies and fitting protocols for speech processors. The approach to aim one includes five specific experiments. Experiment 1 examines the optimal encoding of loudness by electric parameters and attempts to partially restore threshold distribution of the auditory nerve in acoustic hearing. Experiment 2 uses noise and high-rate conditioners to restore spontaneous activity and neural independence in the electrically stimulated nerve. Experiment 3 examines various nonlinear amplitude mappings to restore normal loudness growth. Experiment 4 measures excitation patterns of various electrode configurations and attempts to restore normal spread of excitation. Experiment 5 characterizes electrode interactions and evaluates a new electrode configuration to restore two-tone suppression effects. Finally, a parallel set of five experiments on speech perception is planned to address each of these issues.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DC002267-07
Application #
6262561
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-8 (03))
Program Officer
Donahue, Amy
Project Start
1995-01-01
Project End
2005-12-31
Budget Start
2001-01-01
Budget End
2001-12-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$342,160
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
Chung, King; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2009) Using hearing aid adaptive directional microphones to enhance cochlear implant performance. Hear Res 250:27-37
Singh, Sonya; Kong, Ying-Yee; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2009) Cochlear implant melody recognition as a function of melody frequency range, harmonicity, and number of electrodes. Ear Hear 30:160-8
Desai, Sheetal; Stickney, Ginger; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2008) Auditory-visual speech perception in normal-hearing and cochlear-implant listeners. J Acoust Soc Am 123:428-40
Carroll, Jeff; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2007) Fundamental frequency discrimination and speech perception in noise in cochlear implant simulations. Hear Res 231:42-53
Wei, Chaogang; Cao, Keli; Jin, Xin et al. (2007) Psychophysical performance and Mandarin tone recognition in noise by cochlear implant users. Ear Hear 28:62S-65S
Stickney, Ginger S; Assmann, Peter F; Chang, Janice et al. (2007) Effects of cochlear implant processing and fundamental frequency on the intelligibility of competing sentences. J Acoust Soc Am 122:1069-78
Bhattacharya, Aparajita; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2007) Companding to improve cochlear-implant speech recognition in speech-shaped noise. J Acoust Soc Am 122:1079-89
Nie, Kaibao; Barco, Amy; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2006) Spectral and temporal cues in cochlear implant speech perception. Ear Hear 27:208-17
Liu, Sheng; Zeng, Fan-Gang (2006) Temporal properties in clear speech perception. J Acoust Soc Am 120:424-32
Zeng, Fan-Gang; Liu, Sheng (2006) Speech perception in individuals with auditory neuropathy. J Speech Lang Hear Res 49:367-80

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