| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C523334/1 |
| Title: |
Multiplicative and fractal noise coding for cochlear implants |
| Principal Investigator: |
Stocks, Professor NG |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Warwick |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 2005 |
Ends: |
30 September 2008 |
Value (£): |
252,671
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biomaterials |
Digital Signal Processing |
| Med.Instrument.Device& Equip. |
Medical science & disease |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The neural response produced by acoustic stimulation in the normal ear has a random element (noise) that may be an essential part of normal hearing. We have previously proposed that this noise should be incorporated into cochlear implants, which are devices used to restore the hearing of profoundly deaf people by electrical stimulation of the cochlear nerve (the nerve of hearing.) We have shown that noise added to signals can increase the amount of information transmitted by models of the cochlear nerve. However, our initial studies have been limited to the use of additive white noise. There is now substantial evidence to suggest that the dominant source of noise present during the natural coding of acoustic stimuli is multiplicative and has a 1/f (fractal) spectrum. A pilot study (detailed in the Case for Support) indicates that these differences lead to a fundamental change in the neural coding mechanism and result in a marked improvement in the information transmitted to the higher auditory centres of the brain. It is the potential exploitation of this information gain to improve speech comprehension that forms the basis of this proposal.We propose to extend our pilot studies to study the benefit of multiplicative and fractal noise in more complete models of the electrically stimulated ear and to determine how to optimize the information transmission. This work will be carried out in collaboration with Advanced Bionics Ltd, St Thomas' Hospital (London), and the House Ear Institute (Los Angeles). Our coding strategy will be tested on with patients who use the Clarion cochlear implant.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.warwick.ac.uk |