Stimulating on multiple electrodes can improve temporal pitch perception

Objective: The objective of this study was to test if stimulating multiple electrodes can improve temporal pitch ranking performance at low and high stimulation rates. Design: Temporal pitch cues are usually based on modifying the stimulation rate of the implant and thereby provide a continuum of pitches on a single electrode up to approximately 300 Hz. Study sample: Ten cochlear implant subjects were asked to pitch rank stimuli presented with direct electrical stimulation. The pulses were applied on one, three, six, or eleven electrodes. In one of the conditions the current amplitude of each pulse was randomly varied between 0 and 100%. Their frequency ranged from 100 up to 500 pps. Results: Listeners showed the previously reported performance pattern in most conditions with very good performance at the lowest standard rates and deteriorating performance to near chance level at the highest rate tested. Performance with eleven electrodes was significantly better than performance with one electrode at 500 pps. Conclusion: Stimulating on multiple electrodes can improve temporal pitch perception.