Auditory stimulation using CW and pulsed signals

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
An auditory stimulating system comprising sound processing means for generating analog and pulsatile signals in response to audio signals, transmission means for transmitting at least one analog signal indicative of audio sounds and at least one pulsatile signal indicative of features of audio sounds, receiver means for receiving said at least one analog signal and at least one pulsatile signal, a multi-electrode prosthesis for stimulating the cochlea of a patient, and means interconnecting said receiver means and said multi-electrode prosthesis whereby said analog signal and said pulsatile signal concurrently stimulate the auditory nerve.
2.
An auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 1 wherein said analog signal is transmitted to at least one prosthesis electrode selected to provide best speech understanding to the patient.
3.
The auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 2 wherein said multi-electrode prosthesis is adapted to be inserted into the cochlea, said electrodes corresponding to different audio frequency ranges.
4.
The auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 1 wherein said multi-electrode prosthesis comprises electrodes adapted for placement outside of the cochlea for stimulating the auditory nerve.
5.
The auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 1 wherein said at least one analog signal and said at least one pulsatile signal are transmitted via separate transmission channels.
6.
The auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 1 wherein said sound processing means generates a digitized analog signal, the digitized signal and said pulsatile signal being transmitted as a multiplexed composite signal.
7.
The auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 1 wherein said sound processing means generates a pulsatile signal that has a pulse rate corresponding to a formant frequency of a speech input.
8.
The auditory stimulation system as defined by claim 1 wherein said sound processing means generates a pulsatile signal that has a pulse rate derived from pitch frequency of a speech input