Developing a Flexible SPEAR3-Based Psychophysical Research Platform for Testing Cochlear Implant Users
Year: 2008
Type: report
Abstract: An experimental psychophysical interface has been developed using Hearworks Pty Ltd’s SPEAR3 research sound processor,\nwhich is compatible with Cochlear Corporation’s Nucleus CI22 and CI24 implants. Modifications to the assembly code program\nfile that resides in the SPEAR3 allow the parameters of a given stimulus to be updated on a trial-by-trial basis due to the responses\ngiven by a cochlear implant subject through a Visual Basic graphical user interface. Using a single program for the digital signal\nprocessor, this graphical user interface may be tailored to perform both traditional and original psychophysical experiments. The\nresearch sound processor also allows implementations of novel sound processing algorithms. Threshold and maximum comfort\nlevels were measured with the SPEAR3, and one subject’s levels were compared to those measured with the commercially available\nNucleus Implant Communicator (NIC v2). No significant difference was found. Three cochlear implant subjects performed a rate\ndiscrimination task using the SPEAR3-based experimental interface, and the trends found in the resulting data imply that the\nSPEAR3-based experimental interface is functioning properly and may be used in the future for other psychophysical investigations.
Source: DukeSpace (Duke University)
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W178914358