A Psychophysics experimental software to evaluate electrical pitch discrimination in Nucleus cochlear implanted patients

6th Young Researcher Meeting, L'Aquila 2015

Pérez Zaballos, M.T.^1 ; Ramos De Miguel, A.^2 ; Killian, M.^3 ; Ramos Macías, A.^1

Departamento de Ciencias Clìnicas y Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain^1

Departamento de Aplicaciones Numéricas y Sistemas Inteligentes, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain^2

Cochlear Technological Centre, Mechelen, Belgium^3

关键词: Alternative forced choice;    Electrical pulse;    Electrode arrays;    Graphical interface;    Multichannel electrodes;    Neural element;    Psychophysical;    Stimulus threshold;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/689/1/012030/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/689/1/012030

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Multichannel electrode array design in cochlear implants has evolved into two major categories: straight and perimodiolar electrodes. When implanted, the former lies along the outer wall of the scala tympani, while the later are located closer to the modiolus, where the neural ends are. Therefore, a perimodiolar position of the electrode array could be expected to result in reduced stimulus thresholds and stimulating currents, increased dynamic range, and more localized stimulation of the neural elements. However, their advantage for pitch discrimination has not been conclusively stated. Therefore, in order to study electrode independence, a psychophysical software has been developed, making use of Nucleus Implant Communicator tools provided by Cochlear company under a research agreement. The application comprises a graphical interface to facilitate its use, since previous software has always required some type of computer language skills. It allows for customization of electrical pulse parameters, measurement of threshold and comfort levels, loudness balancing and alternative forced choice experiments to determine electrode discrimination in Nucleus users.