Horizontal-plane localization with bilateral cochlear implants using the SAM strategy

Authors

  • Tamas Harczos Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany; Institute for Media Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany
  • Anja Chilian Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany; Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Automation, Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany
  • Andras Katai Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, Ilmenau, Germany

Abstract

Sound source localization capability of cochlear implant (CI) users has been a popular research topic over the past few years, because it has both social and safety implications. While it is widely accepted that unilateral implantation does not provide enough information for this task, conditions, algorithms and their parameterization for the best performance in the binaural case are still in the focus of the research. On ISAAR 2009, we presented a simulation study revealing the theoretical limits of localization performance using the widespread ACE strategy. We also gave an example of how left-right speech processor asynchrony may influence the perceived direction. In the present paper we give an outline of a novel, auditory model based CI speech processing strategy called SAM. Furthermore, using the framework from the previous study, we show how localization performance increases when using SAM instead of ACE. We present detailed comparisons to show how factors like pulse rate, signal to noise ratio, reverberation, etc. affect horizontal-plane localization. Finally, we give a simple explanation, why, unlike other strategies, spatial perception with SAM is robust against device asynchrony.

References

Drapal, M. and Marsalek, P. (2010). “Stochastic Model Shows How Cochlear Im- plants Process Azimuth in Real Auditory Space,” Chinese Journal of Physiology, 53, 439–446.

Grantham, D. W., Ashmead, D. H., Ricketts, T. A., Labadie, R. F., and Haynes, D. S. (2007). “Horizontal-Plane Localization of Noise and Speech Signals by Post-lingually Deafened Adults Fitted With Bilateral Cochlear Implants,” Ear and Hearing, 28, 524–541.

Harczos, T., Werner, S., Szepannek, G., and Brandenburg, K. (2010). “Evaluation of cues for horizontal-plane localization with bilateral cochlear implants,” in Proceedings of ISAAR 2009: Binaural Processing and Spatial Hearing. 2nd International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research. Elsinore, Denmark. Edited by J. M. Buchholz, T. Dau, J. Christensen-Dalsgaard, and T. Poulsen. ISBN: 87-990013-2-2. (The Danavox Jubilee Foundation, Copenhagen), 37–46.

Harczos, T., Chilian, A., and Husar, P. (2011). “SAM: a novel cochlear implant speech coding strategy based on an active cochlea model,” to be published. McGovern, S. G. (2009). “Fast image method for impulse response calculations of box-shaped rooms,” Applied Acoustics, 70, 182–189.

Seeber, B. U. and Fastl, H. (2004). “Localization cues with bilateral cochlear implants,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 123, 1030–1042.

Zue, V., Seneff, S., and Glass, J. (1990). “Speech database development at MIT: TIMIT and beyond,” Speech Communication, 9, 351-356.

Additional Files

Published

2011-12-15

How to Cite

Harczos, T., Chilian, A., & Katai, A. (2011). Horizontal-plane localization with bilateral cochlear implants using the SAM strategy. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 3, 339–345. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2011-39

Issue

Vol. 3 (2011): Speech Perception and Auditory Disorders

Section

2011/3. Models of speech processing and perception

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