Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method

• US 20070230713A1
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tinnitech Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Curtin University of Technology
• Inventors: Davis, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/637,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20070230713A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/73.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/121 evaluating hearing capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/128 evaluating tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/505 using digital signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/75 Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception

Abstract

A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person. For example, the masking algorithm may be partly tailored to the hearing loss characteristic of the person. A tinnitus rehabilitation device used in conjunction with a personal sound reproducing system is also described.

Claims

1-43. -43. (canceled)

44. Process for programming an auditory signal generator for treating tinnitus comprising:

measuring absolute auditory thresholds of a subject, and calculating on the basis of the measuring step characteristics of an auditory signal adapted to the subject'"'"'s auditory threshold using substantially the following equation;

Ej=B+Mj−

Qr(Aj)

where B is a minimum level of said auditory signal;

Mj=NAj with N being an average of minimum thresholds obtained and Aj are absolute auditory thresholds, and Qr(Aj) is a correction factor; and

programming said auditory signal generator to produce a corrective signal based on the calculated characteristics, to treat tinnitus.

45. Process according to claim 44 further comprising measuring perceived frequency of the tinnitus of the subject.

46. Process according to claim 44 wherein the measuring step further comprises:

emitting into the right or left ear of the subject an intermittent sound having intensity and frequency; and

varying the intensity and frequency depending on the responses given by said subject using a response device, said subject having the task of indicating whether he has heard said intermittent sound.

47. Process according to claim 44 wherein measuring the perceived frequency of the tinnitus further comprises:

emitting into one of the right and left ear of the subject an intermittent sound; and

varying the frequency of the intermittent sound depending on the responses given by said subject using a response device, said subject having the task of indicating whether said intermittent sound is higher pitched, lower pitched or of the same tonality as the tinnitus.

48. Process according to claim 44 further comprising adjusting the intensity of said auditory signal so as to optimize its effectiveness.

49. Process according to claim 44 wherein characteristics of said auditory signal are such that they compensate as exactly as possible for a hearing loss.