Fast objective fitting measurements for cochlear implants

A method of fitting electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array implanted in a cochlea of an implanted patient, the method comprising:

• delivering to at least one of the electrode contacts a test stimulation sequence from a test stimulation generator at a variable charge level and a variable stimulation rate over time, wherein the charge level and stimulation rate are inversely related as a function of a defined loudness percept by the implanted patient to the test stimulation sequence, and wherein the test stimulation sequence is a charge sweep providing increasing charge levels at a maximum stimulus rate until reaching a selected charge level, whereupon the stimulus rate is decreased;
• obtaining objective response measurements in a response measurement module of auditory neural tissues of the implanted patient that are affected by the test stimulation sequence;
• and
• defining a patient-specific fit map for the electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array based on the objective response measurements.

A non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium having instructions thereon for fitting an implanted patient and a hearing implant system having an implanted electrode array with a plurality of electrode contacts, the instructions comprising:

• delivering to at least one of the electrode contacts a test stimulation sequence from a test stimulation generator at a variable charge level and a variable stimulation rate over time, wherein the charge level and stimulation rate are inversely related as a function of a defined loudness percept by the implanted patient to the test stimulation sequence, and wherein the test stimulation sequence is a charge sweep providing increasing charge levels at a maximum stimulus rate until reaching a selected charge level, whereupon the stimulus rate is decreased;
• obtaining objective response measurements in a response measurement module of auditory neural tissues of the implanted patient that are affected by the test stimulation sequence;
• and
• defining a patient-specific fit map for the electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array based on the objective response measurements.