Device and Method for Determining the Frequency of at Least One Dominant Tone of a Tinnitus

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a device and method that helps accurately determine the frequency of one or more dominant tones that make up a patient's subjective tinnitus (ringing in the ear). The system uses a sound generator to play various tones to the patient, an input unit for the patient to rate the similarity between the played tones and their tinnitus, and a control/analysis unit that manages the process. The procedure involves both direct similarity ratings and pairwise comparisons of tones, and then algorithmically combines these results to identify the frequency that most closely matches the patient's tinnitus. This process leads to high accuracy and repeatability in identifying the underlying tinnitus frequency.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Clinical assessment of tinnitus frequency for patients in audiology clinics or ENT practices.
• Customizing sound therapy or neuromodulation treatments for tinnitus based on accurately identified frequency.
• Integration within hearing aid devices or dedicated tinnitus treatment hardware/software.
• Research into tinnitus mechanisms by enabling more precise data collection on perceived tinnitus pitches.
• Remote or telemedicine tinnitus assessment using software versions of the described method.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides more accurate and reproducible identification of tinnitus frequency compared to traditional trial-and-error methods.
• Reduces time required for assessment and improves patient experience due to structured process.
• Enables personalized therapy, such as coordinated reset neuromodulation, which requires precise frequency matching.
• Supports both tonal and a-tonal (non-pure tone) tinnitus, and can isolate multiple dominant frequencies if present.
• Can be implemented in digital/automated form as software for wide accessibility and consistent operation.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device for determining the frequency of at least one dominant tone of a tinnitus perceived by a patient, comprising a tone generator for playing tones, an input unit for patient entry of evaluations about the tones played, and a control and analysis unit coupled to the tone generator and the input unit and designed to carry out a similarity measurement and a comparison of pairs of tones, wherein the control and analysis unit controls the tone generator for the similarity measurement in such a way that same plays successive tones, and, after playing a respective tone, the control and analysis unit receives the patient's evaluation entered into the input unit with respect to the similarity of the tone to the at least one dominant tone of the tinnitus. The control and analysis unit controls the tone generator for the comparison of pairs of tones in such a way that it plays successive pairs of tones, and, after playing a respective pair, the control and analysis unit receives the patient's evaluation entered into the input unit as to which tone of the pair is more similar to the at least one dominant tone of the tinnitus, and the control and analysis unit combines the results of the similarity measurement and the comparison of pairs of tones and determines from this at least one tone, the frequency of which is most similar to the frequency of the at least one dominant tone of the tinnitus.