Tinnitus masker/suppressor

• US 20010051776A1
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sound Techniques Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Sound Techniques Systems LLC
• Inventors: Lenhardt, Martin L.
• Application Number:
  US09/822,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20010051776A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/12 Audiometering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/045 using mechanical stimulation of nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0038 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/75 Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception

Abstract

A system and method for tinnitus masking or suppression. At least one upper audio frequency is provided to a head of a patient, to thereby stimulate the auditory cortex. The upper audio frequency is preferably applied by way of air conduction. At least one ultrasound frequencies can also be applied by way of bone conduction. Once stimulated, the auditory cortex will mask or suppress tinnitus.

Claims

1. A tinnitus masker/suppressor, comprising:

an upper audio frequency source configured to output at least one upper audio frequency; and

an output unit connected to the upper audio frequency source and configured to convert the upper audio frequency to an output signal to be provided to the patient via air conduction,

wherein the output signal is used to mask or suppress the tinnitus.

2. The tinnitus masker/suppressor according to

claim 1

, further comprising an amplifier and power supply unit connected between the ultrasound unit and the output unit and configured to control an amplitude level of the at least one upper audio frequency to be no more than 20 dB greater than a threshold level of sound for the person.

3. The tinnitus masker/suppressor according to

claim 1

, wherein the at least one upper audio frequency is a frequency of between 10 kHz and 19.9 kHz.

4. The tinnitus masker/suppressor according to

claim 2

, wherein the at least one upper audio frequency is swept over a range of frequencies centered at the at least one upper audio frequency.

5. The tinnitus masker/suppressor according to

claim 3

, wherein the at least one upper audio frequency is swept over a range of frequencies centered at the at least one upper audio frequency.

6. A tinnitus masker/suppressor, comprising:

an input port for receiving an input sound in an upper audio range;

an ultrasound frequency source that outputs an ultrasound frequency;

a first gain stage that is configured to multiply the input sound with the ultrasound frequency, and to output an output signal that is further multiplied by a first gain value;

a recording medium that receives the output signal and that records the output signal for playback at a later time.

7. The tinnitus masker/suppressor according to

claim 6

, wherein the input sound is a music signal.

8. A method for treating tinnitus, comprising:

a) mixing an input sound signal with an upper audio frequency signal, to obtain a mixed signal;

b) recording the mixed signal onto a recording medium; and

c) treating a patient by providing the mixed signal to the patient using the recording medium, by way of air conduction.

9. The method according to

claim 8

, further comprising:

d) mixing an ultrasound frequency signal with the mixed signal, to obtain a second mixed signal,

wherein the second mixed signal is recorded onto the recording medium and provided to the patient to treat the patient.

10. A method of masking or suppressing tinnitus, comprising:

a) providing at least one upper audio frequency to a head of a patient by way of air conduction.

11. The method according to

claim 10

, wherein the noise is within a range of from 10 kHz to 19.9 kHz.

12. The method according to

claim 10

, further comprising:

b) pulsing the noise before applying the at least one upper audio frequency before applying it to the head of the patient.

13. A method of examining a patient in order to provide an ultrasound treatment for that patient, comprising:

a) providing at least one upper audio frequency tone to the patient, to determine an optimum frequency for the patient; and

b) providing a plurality of audible frequencies modulated by the determined optimum frequency, so as to determine a particular audible frequency that is optimum for the patient with respect to tinnitus masking.

14. A method of suppressing tinnitus, comprising:

a) providing music by way of a first input;

b) providing at least one tone within a range of from 10 kHz to 20 kHz;

c) multiplying the music with the at least one tone to provide a tinnitus treatment signal; and

d) recording the tinnitus treatment signal onto a recording medium, for playback at a later time, so as to treat a patient by playing the tinnitus treatment signal from the recording medium.

15. The method according to

claim 14

, wherein the recording medium is a compact disk.

16. The method according to

claim 14

, wherein the recording medium is an analog player.

17. The method according to

claim 14

, wherein the recording medium is a digital player.

18. The method according to

claim 14

, wherein the at least one tone is noise within a range of from 10 kHz to 20 kHz.