David Kerry Money

Auditory prosthesis with automated voice muting using the stapedius muscle reflex

An auditory prosthesis includes a sound sensor that senses both ambient sounds and sounds uttered by the patient. The prosthesis includes a monitor that senses a physiological parameter indicative of the intensity of the sounds as perceived by the patient and/or the onset of a prospective speech episode during which the patient utters sounds. For example, the monitor may detect the activity of the stapedius muscle. This muscle contracts in the presence of subjectively perceived high level sounds or just prior to and during a speech episode. This parameter is used dynamically by the prosthesis to process the received sounds, for example, by changing the amplification level of these sounds dependent on the activity.

Cochlear prosthesis test system

A test system for a sealed, sterile package containing a cochlear prosthesis electrode. A light-emitting diode has its two leads in contact with at least two different conducting bands on the electrode. The prosthesis, which is externally-powered, is operated so as to supply a stimulus current between the two bands. If the light-emitting diode is illuminated, proper operation of the prosthesis can be verified without unsealing the package.

The Nucleus Multi-channel Implantable Hearing Prosthesis

The Nucleus Multi-channel Implantable Hearing Prosthesis was developed in conjunction with the University of Melbourne. A 22 channel flexible electrode array is inserted into the cochlea through a round window opening. A cable leads from the electrode array to a demountable connector mounted on the Receiver-Stimulator unit (RSU). A custom CMOS integrated circuit is mounted inside the hermetically sealed titanium and ceramic RSU which is encased in silicone rubber and measures 34.5 mm diameter and 10.5 mm thick. Biphasic current pulse stimuli can be delivered to any selected electrode pairs at rates in excess of 1 kHz. A pocket-sized speech processor extracts spectral information from the incoming acoustic signal, and encodes stimulus information onto the single RF power/data signal transmitted to the RSU through the skin. The Speech Processor includes electronic memory circuits which are programmed with the information mapping acoustic parameters to stimulation parameters for each electrode for each patient. This MAP is established as a result of psychophysical experiments performed by the audiologist using the Diagnostic and Programming System based on a customized microcomputer.