Sensory-substitution based sound perception using a spinal computer–brain interface

Sensory substitution offers a promising approach to restore lost sensory functions. Here we show that spinal cord stimulation (SCS), typically used for chronic pain management, can potentially serve as a novel auditory sensory substitution device. We recruited 13 patients undergoing SCS implantation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2024-10, Vol.14 (1), p.24879-13, Article 24879
Main Authors: Miklós, Gabriella, Halász, László, Hasslberger, Maximilian, Toth, Emilia, Manola, Ljubomir, Hagh Gooie, Saman, van Elswijk, Gijs, Várkuti, Bálint, Erőss, Loránd
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Accuracy
Acoustic Stimulation
Adult
Aged
Auditory discrimination
Auditory Perception - physiology
Brain research
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brain–computer interface
Calibration
Chronic pain
Cochlear implants
Computer applications
Computer–brain interface
Experiments
Female
Hearing Aids
Hearing loss
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Implants
Information processing
Male
Medical research
Middle Aged
multidisciplinary
Neurosurgery
Pain management
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sensory substitution
Sound
Spinal cord
Spinal Cord - physiology
Spinal Cord Stimulation - methods
Transplants & implants
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Description
Summary:Sensory substitution offers a promising approach to restore lost sensory functions. Here we show that spinal cord stimulation (SCS), typically used for chronic pain management, can potentially serve as a novel auditory sensory substitution device. We recruited 13 patients undergoing SCS implantation and translated everyday sound samples into personalized SCS patterns during their trial phase. In a sound identification task—where chance-level performance was 33.3%—participants ( n = 8 ) achieved a mean accuracy of 72.8% using only SCS input. We observed a weak positive correlation between stimulation bitrate and identification accuracy. A follow-up discrimination task ( n = 5 ) confirmed that reduced bitrates significantly impaired participants’ ability to distinguish between consecutive SCS patterns, indicating effective processing of additional information at higher bitrates. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using existing SCS technology to create a novel neural interface for a sound prosthesis. Our results pave the way for future research to enhance stimulation fidelity, assess long-term training effects, and explore integration with other auditory aids for comprehensive hearing rehabilitation.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-75779-2