Systems and methods for gradually adjusting a control parameter associated with a cochlear implant system

A system comprising:

• a cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a patient;
• and
• a sound processor configured to control the cochlear implant;
• and
• a fitting system configured to
• transmit, during a fitting session,
• a command that sets a most comfortable level (“M level”) to an initial value, the initial value of the M level representing a first stimulation current level required for the cochlear implant to produce a sensed perception of sound that is comfortably loud for the patient during the fitting session,
• a target value for the M level, the target value for the M level representing a second stimulation current level that is greater than the first stimulation current level and that is required for the cochlear implant to produce a sensed perception of sound that is comfortably loud for the patient at a time subsequent to the fitting session, and
• an adaption time course that specifies a plurality of time increments and a series of values between the initial value and the target value;
• wherein the sound processor is configured to
• receive the command, the target value, and the adaption time course from the fitting system,
• detect a decoupling of the sound processor from the fitting system,
• gradually adjust, subsequent to being decoupled from the fitting system and subsequent to the fitting session, the M level from the initial value towards the target value in accordance with the adaption time, and
• direct the cochlear implant to apply stimulation having the gradually adjusted M level to the patient;
• wherein the sound processor is configured to gradually adjust the M level from the initial value towards the target value by:
• tracking an elapsing of time beginning with the decoupling of the sound processor from the fitting system;
• and
• incrementally adjusting the M level to a next different value included in the series of values in response to an occurrence, within the elapsing of time, of each time increment included in the plurality of time increments.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a sound processor during a fitting session with a fitting system,
• a command that sets a most comfortable level (“M level”) to an initial value, the initial value of the M level representing a first stimulation current level required for a cochlear implant to produce a sensed perception of sound that is comfortably loud for the patient during the fitting session, and
• a target value for the M level, the target value of the M level representing a second stimulation current level that is greater than the first stimulation current level and that is required for the cochlear implant to produce a sensed perception of sound that is comfortably loud for the patient at a time subsequent to the fitting session;
• storing, by the sound processor, an adaption time course that specifies a plurality of time increments and a series of values between the initial value and the target value;
• detecting, by the sound processor, a decoupling of the sound processor from the fitting system, the decoupling resulting in the sound processor being in a non-fitting state;
• gradually adjusting, by the sound processor while the sound processor is in the non-fitting state and subsequent to the fitting session, the M level from the initial value towards the target value in accordance with the adaption time course;
• and
• directing the cochlear implant to apply stimulation having the gradually adjusted M level to the patient;
• wherein the gradual adjusting comprises:
• tracking an elapsing of time beginning with the decoupling of the sound processor from the fitting system;
• and
• incrementally adjusting the M level to a next different value included in the series of values in response to an occurrence, within the elapsing of time, of each time increment included in the plurality of time increments.