Analysis of the Influence of Sound Source Position and Electrode Placement on the Stimulation Pattern of the Cochlear Implant under Noise Conditions: Optimization of Auditory Perceptual Effects

Background: Cochlear implants (CI) are widely used to restore hearing in people with severe to profound hearing loss. However, optimizing CI performance, especially in difficult listening environments with background noise, remains a major challenge. Understanding the influence of factors such as sound source position and electrode placement on CI stimulation patterns is critical to improving auditory perception. Methods: In this study, an analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of sound source position and electrode placement on CI stimulation patterns under noisy conditions. For this purpose, a special measurement setup with a CI speech processor-microphone test box was used to simulate realistic listening scenarios and measure CI performance. Results: The results show that the effectiveness of CI noise reduction systems is influenced by factors such as the position of the sound source and electrode placement. In particular, the beamforming ultra zoom mode showed significantly better noise reduction than the omnidirectional mode, especially under real listening conditions. Furthermore, differences in electrode responses indicate individual variability in the CI user experience, highlighting the importance of personalized fitting algorithms. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the importance of considering environmental factors and individual differences when optimizing CI performance. Future research efforts should focus on the development of personalized fitting algorithms and the exploration of innovative strategies, such as the integration of artificial intelligence, to improve CI functionality in different listening environments. This study contributes to our understanding of CI stimulation patterns and lays the foundation for improving auditory perception in CI users.