Method and apparatus for determining acoustic parameters of an auditory prosthesis using software model

Abstract

A software model (36) of the auditory characteristics of an auditory prosthesis (10) is stored independently of the actual auditory prosthesis (10) being fitted to determine the acoustic parameters (24) to be utilized. A transfer function of the auditory characteristics of the individual auditory prosthesis to be fitted, or of an exemplary model of such an auditory prosthesis, is created, transformed into a table, or other usable form, and stored in software usable by the automated fitting program (32). The automated fitting program (32) may then "test" or try by iterative process, the various settings for the acoustic parameters (24) of the auditory prosthesis (10) and determine accurately the results without actual resort the the physical auditory prosthesis (10) itself.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. For use with a auditory prothesis having acoustic parameters which at least in part determine at least one of the auditory characteristics of said auditory prosthesis, said acoustic parameters being adjustable, a method of determining said acoustic parameters of said auditory prosthesis which will provide a user of said auditory prosthesis with a target auditory response, comprising the steps of: determining said target auditory response of said user;   determining said auditory characteristics of said auditory prosthesis operating in conjunction with said user .Iadd.and based upon a software model.Iaddend.; and   optimizing said acoustic parameters of said auditory prosthesis by comparing the auditory response of said auditory characteristics with said target auditory response and by adjusting said acoustic parameters to minimize the error of said comparison.   
     
     
       2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said determining said .[.acoustic function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.step further comprises determining said .[.acoustic fitting function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.based upon a software lookup table. 
     
     
       3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said determining said .[.acoustic function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.steps further comprises determining said .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.based upon a set of mathematical equations to serve as said .[.acoustic fitting functions.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       4. A method as in claim 3 wherein said optimizing step further comprises solving said set of mathematical equations for said acoustic parameters based upon said target auditory response. 
     
     
       5. For use with an auditory prosthesis having acoustic parameters which at least in part determine the .[.acoustic fitting function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.of said auditory prosthesis, said acoustic parameters being adjustable, a method of determining said acoustic parameters of said auditory prosthesis which will provide a user of said auditory prosthesis with a target auditory response, comprising the steps of: determining said target auditory response of said user;   determining said .[.acoustic fitting function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.of said auditory prosthesis operating in conjunction with said user;   storing a software model of said .[.acoustic fitting function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics.Iaddend.;   optimizing said acoustic parameters of auditory prosthesis by comparing the auditory response of said software model with said target auditory response and by adjusting said acoustic parameters to minimize the error of said comparison.   
     
     
       6. A method as in claim 5 wherein said software model of said auditory characteristics comprises a software look-up .Iadd.table.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       7. A method as in claim 5 wherein said software model of said .[.acoustic fitting function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics .Iaddend.comprises a set of mathematical equations to serve as said .[.acoustic fitting function.]. .Iadd.auditory characteristics.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       8. A method as in claim 7 wherein said optimizing step further comprises solving said set of mathematical equations for said acoustic parameters based upon said target auditory response. .Iadd. 
     
     
       9.  For use with an auditory prosthesis having acoustic parameters which at least in part determine at least one of the auditory characteristics of said auditory prosthesis, said acoustic parameters being adjustable, a method of determining said acoustic parameters of said auditory prosthesis which will provide a user of said auditory prosthesis with a target auditory response, comprising the steps of: determining said target auditory response of said user;   determining said auditory characteristics of said auditory prosthesis based upon a software model; and   optimizing said acoustic parameters of said auditory prosthesis by comparing the auditory response of said auditory characteristics with said target auditory response and by adjusting said acoustic parameters to minimize the error of said comparison. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  A method as in claim 9 wherein said determining said auditory characteristics step further comprises determining said auditory characteristics based upon a software look-up table. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A method as in claim 9 wherein said determining said auditory characteristics step further comprises determining said auditory characteristics based upon a set of mathematical equations to serve as 
     
     
        said auditory characteristics. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  A method as in claim 11 wherein said optimizing step further comprises solving said set of mathematical equations for said acoustic parameters based upon said target 
     
     
        auditory response. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  For use with an auditory prosthesis having acoustic parameters which at least in part determine the auditory characteristics of said auditory prosthesis, said acoustic parameters being adjustable, a method of determining said acoustic parameters of said auditory prosthesis which will provide a user of said auditory prosthesis with a target auditory response, comprising the steps of: determining said target auditory response of said user;   determining said auditory characteristics of said auditory prosthesis;   storing a software model of said auditory characteristics;   optimizing said acoustic parameters of auditory prosthesis by comparing the auditory response of said software model with said target auditory response and by adjusting said acoustic parameters to minimize the error of said comparison. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A method as in claim 13 wherein said software model of said auditory characteristics comprises a software look-up table. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A method as in claim 13 wherein said software model of said auditory characteristics comprises a set of mathematical equations to serve as said auditory characteristics.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  A method as in claim 15 wherein said optimizing step further comprises solving said set of mathematical equations for said acoustic parameters based upon said target auditory response. .Iaddend.