Method for the electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve and multichannel hearing prosthesis for carrying out the method

US4428377A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Manfred Zollner · Munich, DE
• Christian Hoffmann · Leonberg, DE
• Eberhard Zwicker · Icking, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 3, 1981
• Grant date: Jan 31, 1984
• Expiry date: Mar 3, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36038
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In the exemplary embodiments, the sound signals are converted into electrical signals, which are wirelessly transmitted to an implanted receiver, and from the latter, electric stimuli in electrode channels are brought to act on the auditory nerve. The transmission proceeds in the time division multiplex technique in such a manner that the electrical signals are subjected to a pulse modulation and are transmitted in an HF-channel. Thus, the receiver can be reduced with regard to the volume of its construction as well as with regard to its energy requirement. The disclosed method and hearing prostheses for its realization are particularly suited for attending to the needs of the extremely hard of hearing.