Genetic algorithms for adaptive psychophysical procedures: recipient-directed design of speech-processor MAPs.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of the research is to evaluate the application of genetic algorithms (GAs) in listener-directed optimization of audio-processing designs. We hypothesize that cochlear-implant recipients can use a GA-guided adaptive psychophysical search procedure to select useful designs from among a large number of speech processor MAPS.


METHODS
An adaptive psychophysical procedure was developed in which a listener's preferred four out of eight speech processor MAPs were updated according to a genetic algorithm. Experiments involving cochlear-implant recipients were conducted to characterize both the convergence behavior of the adaptive procedure as well as properties of the MAPs optimized by the recipient.


RESULTS
Results from five cochlear-implant recipients indicate that the adaptive procedure converges to useful speech processor MAPs within twenty iterations.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest a means whereby a potentially large number of audio-processing designs can be searched efficiently by a human listener without requiring excessive amounts of feedback or prior knowledge about the listener's preferences. In the case of cochlear-implant recipients, it may be possible to use this procedure as an aid to the clinician in the fitting of a speech processor MAP.
Wakefield
Gregory H
GH
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. ghw@umich.edu
van den Honert
Chris
C
Parkinson
Wendy
W
Lineaweaver
Sean
S
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000465:Algorithms; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods; D011594:Psychometrics