Sensitive measurements in a hearing prosthesis

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to hearing prostheses, and more particularly, to measurements in a hearing prosthesis.

#2. Related Art

#Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cochlear implant system in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;

#FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the cochlear implant system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to taking measurements in a hearing prosthesis. In an embodiment, the power circuit, which may be a switched mode power circuit, is shut down during performance of the measurements to reduce interference. Then, power capacitively stored by the power circuit is used to power the hearing prosthesis during performance of the measurements. In an embodiment, the power circuit increases its voltage just prior to performance of the measurements. This serves to increase the amount of energy capacitively stored by the power circuit and thus extends the period of time during which the measurements may be taken while the power circuit is shut off.

#Embodiments of the present invention are described herein primarily in connection with one type of hearing prosthesis, namely a cochlear prostheses (commonly referred to as cochlear prosthetic devices, cochlear implant systems, cochlear implants, cochlear devices, and the like; simply “cochlea implant systems” herein.) Cochlear implant systems generally refer to hearing prostheses that deliver electrical stimulation to the cochlea of a recipient. As used herein, cochlear implant systems also include hearing prostheses that deliver electrical stimulation in combination with other types of stimulation, such as acoustic or mechanical stimulation. It would be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in any cochlear implant system or other hearing prosthesis now known or later developed, including auditory brain stimulators, or implantable hearing prostheses that acoustically and/or mechanically stimulate components of the recipient's middle or inner ear.

#FIG. 1 is perspective view of a cochlear implant system, referred to as cochlear implant system 100 implanted in a recipient. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of cochlear implant system 100. The recipient has an outer ear 101, a middle ear 105 and an inner ear 107. Components of outer ear 101, middle ear 105 and inner ear 107 are described below, followed by a description of cochlear implant system 100.