Real-time automatic switching between noise suppression algorithms for deployment in cochlear implants

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2010:2010:863-6. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2010.5628049.

Abstract

Cochlear implant patients often complain about their difficulty in understanding speech in noisy environments. Currently a fixed noise suppression algorithm is used in cochlear implants regardless of the characteristics of the speech or noise environment. Access to an intelligent mechanism to determine the noise environment on-the-fly in order to automatically switch between different noise suppression algorithms in real-time can enhance patients experience with cochlear implants. In this paper, we report the first prototype system implementing such a real-time switching mechanism for automatic selection between two noise suppression algorithms designed for two commonly encountered noisy environments. The results obtained indicate the feasibility of this on-the-fly switching for actual deployment in cochlear implants.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Artifacts*
  • Cochlear Implants*
  • Computer Systems
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Noise / prevention & control*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Sound Spectrography / instrumentation*
  • Sound Spectrography / methods*