The history and future of neural modeling for cochlear implants

ABSTRACT

This special issue of Network: Computation in Neural Systems on the topic of “Computational models of the electrically stimulated auditory system” incorporates review articles spanning a wide range of approaches to modeling cochlear implant stimulation of the auditory system. The purpose of this overview paper is to provide a historical context for the different modeling endeavors and to point toward how computational modeling could play a key role in the understanding, evaluation, and improvement of cochlear implants in the future.

KEYWORDS:

• Auditory system
• binaural hearing
• cochlear implant
• computational model
• current spread
• hearing
• neural response
• temporal fine structure

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Marko Takanen for comments on an earlier version of the article.

Funding

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF 01 GQ 1004B) through the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich and by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant 261736).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF 01 GQ 1004B) through the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich and by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant 261736).