A apparatus and method for inner ear implants is provided that generates signal
processing stochastic independence activity across the excited neural population.
A high rate pulse train can produce random spike patterns in auditory nerve fibers
(hereafter "pseudospontaneous activity") that are statistically similar to those
produced by spontaneous activity in the normal auditory nerve. We call this activity
"pseudospontaneous". Varying rates of pseudospontaneous activity can be created
by varying the intensity of a fixed amplitude, high rate pulse train stimulus,
e.g., 5000 pps. The high rate pulse train can desynchronize the nerve fiber population
and can be combined with a data signal in an inner ear implant. The pseudospontaneous
activity can enhance neural representation of temporal detail and dynamic range
with an inner ear implant such as a cochlear implant. The pseudospontaneous activity
can further eliminate a major difference between acoustic-and electrical-derived
hearing percepts.
