Systems and methods for detecting and using an electrical cochlear response ("ecr") in analyzing operation of a cochlear stimulation system

Abstract

Methods and systems for analyzing operation of a cochlear stimulation system. A sound stimulus signal is generated to excite the cochlear stimulation system to operate. During operation, the intracochlear electrodes generate signals into the auditory nerve system. The patient's nervous system's response may be measured as the Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”). The ECR can be detected and analyzed for fitting, calibration, performance evaluation and failure detection of the cochlear implant of the patient. Also example methods may be used to estimate the audiometric thresholds of the cochlear implant without the implanted patient's knowledge.

1 . A system for analyzing operation of a cochlear stimulation system implanted in a patient, the system comprising:
 a sound generating system for generating a sound stimulus signal to elicit operation of the cochlear stimulation system;   an electrical cochlear response (“ECR”) detection system to detect an ECR waveform in a plurality of electrical signal responses received from the patient using surface electrodes, the electrical signal responses being generated in response to the sound stimulus signal, and the ECR waveform being indicative of operation of the cochlear stimulation system.