Tinnitus digital treatment method and apparatus using cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid

Abstract

To provide a tinnitus digital treatment method and apparatus for performing cognitive behavioral therapy using tinnitus and hearing loss tests as software, and also performing hearing aid therapy using a hearing aid as hardware.SOLUTION: The method includes the steps of: executing tinnitus and hearing loss tests using a hearing aid and a terminal device; determining the presence or absence of hearing loss based on whether hearing loss at or above a predetermined level exists in a preset frequency range; determining the presence or absence of tinnitus resulting from hearing loss in a high-frequency range; and performing software-based cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware-based hearing aid therapy for a patient identified as a tinnitus patient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for digital tinnitus treatment that involves cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aids, and more particularly to a method and device for digital tinnitus treatment that performs hearing treatment using software cognitive behavioral therapy based on tinnitus tests and hearing loss tests and hardware hearing aids. [Background technology]

[0002] Tinnitus, an ear disorder, is a condition in which a person hears sounds in the ears even when there is no external sound stimulus. Furthermore, it is said that the majority of tinnitus patients also suffer from depression. Approximately 15% of the population in Korea experiences tinnitus, with approximately 8% experiencing severe tinnitus that severely impacts sleep, and approximately 1% experiencing tinnitus to the point where it interferes with daily life. In particular, the number of tinnitus patients is on the rise due to increased noise levels caused by industrial development, increasingly complex mental health, an increasing elderly population, and drug abuse. This has increased the importance of diagnosing and treating tinnitus patients.

[0003] The pathway by which tinnitus occurs has not been fully elucidated, but pathologically, it is thought that the hearing loss / brain pathway and the pathway in which hearing loss affects the brain's perception, emotions, etc. through the limbic system are involved.

[0004] Although the number of tinnitus sufferers is increasing due to stress and other factors, there is currently no reliable drug treatment for tinnitus. Although sound therapy software such as tinnitus masking has been developed one after another, its effectiveness is still insufficient. For this reason, cognitive behavioral therapy combined with sound therapy is needed to improve awareness of tinnitus and alleviate it.

[0005] Patent Document 1 relates to a custom-type tinnitus treatment device and a method for stimulating auditory cells in tinnitus patients, and describes technology related to a device that uses acoustic signals to treat tinnitus. Although software-based cognitive behavioral therapy has been proposed as a tinnitus treatment, its effectiveness has been poor and it has not been fully utilized in clinical settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1745027 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to propose a method and device for providing digital tinnitus treatment that combines software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aids according to patient classification through tinnitus testing and hearing loss testing.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a digital tinnitus treatment method and device that performs cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy, alleviating tinnitus and improving awareness of tinnitus by combining cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy to change the user's awareness of tinnitus.

[0009] However, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention should not be limited to this, and may be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea and scope of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A digital tinnitus treatment method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and a hearing aid, executed by a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes the steps of: performing a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test using a hearing aid and a terminal; determining whether or not there is hearing loss based on whether or not there is a certain level of hearing loss in a preset frequency range; determining whether or not there is tinnitus due to hearing loss in the high-frequency range; and implementing software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aid therapy on a patient identified as a tinnitus patient.

[0011] The present invention includes a test execution unit that performs tinnitus tests and hearing loss tests using the hearing aid and terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a judgment unit that determines whether or not there is hearing loss based on whether or not there is a certain level of hearing loss in a preset frequency range, and determines whether or not there is tinnitus due to hearing loss in the high frequency range, and a tinnitus treatment unit that performs software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aid therapy on patients identified as tinnitus patients. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, tinnitus can be efficiently diagnosed by performing both a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test, and by utilizing a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy, thereby improving the relief of tinnitus.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when recommending treatments such as drug therapy, hearing aids, or tinnitus recovery training to patients with age-related tinnitus, cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy can be provided while taking into consideration both the presence or absence of accompanying hearing loss and the characteristics of the tinnitus, thereby making it possible to provide tinnitus treatment more efficiently.

[0014] However, the effects of the present invention should not be limited to this, and may be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea and scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital tinnitus treatment technique according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a digital tinnitus treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a digital tinnitus treatment method that performs cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a digital tinnitus treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a tinnitus treatment unit in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving them, will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. The present embodiments are provided merely to ensure complete disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined solely by the claims.

[0017] The terms used herein are merely for the purpose of describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless otherwise stated in the context. As used herein, "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements from a stated component, step, operation, and / or element.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein will be used as commonly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should not be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly and specifically defined.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions of the same components will be omitted.

[0020] The gist of the present invention is to provide a digital tinnitus treatment method and device that performs cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy to improve awareness of tinnitus and alleviate tinnitus, depending on the presence or absence of hearing loss and tinnitus determined by tinnitus tests and hearing loss tests.

[0021] In this embodiment, a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test are both performed using a terminal carried by the patient and a terminal worn in conjunction with the terminal. The presence or absence of tinnitus can be more efficiently determined by adding a weight to the tinnitus test according to the hearing loss in a preset frequency range.

[0022] The embodiment is a method that combines cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy. The principle of the digital tinnitus treatment based on cognitive behavioral therapy is to change the user's perception of tinnitus. In addition, the digital tinnitus treatment based on hearing aid therapy is a method of alleviating tinnitus and improving perception.

[0023] According to embodiments, cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy can improve a user's cognition. More specifically, according to embodiments, cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy can restructure a user's cognition from a negative response, such as tinnitus being painful, to a positive response, such as comfort. That is, a negative response, such as "tinnitus = pain," can be changed to a positive response, such as "tinnitus = comfort."

[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital tinnitus treatment technique according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the tinnitus digital treatment technology according to an embodiment of the present invention, in simple terms, involves a test 110 in which a patient's tinnitus and hearing loss are examined to determine the condition, and a treatment 120 in which cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy are administered in accordance with the test, so that tinnitus can be improved by administering the treatment.

[0027] In the test 110 process, the tinnitus digital treatment technology according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it simultaneously performs a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test using a hearing aid and a terminal, and diagnoses tinnitus by placing weight on the presence of tinnitus in the high-frequency region when there is significant hearing loss in the high-frequency region.

[0028] According to a previous paper documenting the relationship between frequency analysis of tinnitus in elderly patients and hearing loss, the majority of tinnitus patients (60 patients, 96.8%) reported hearing loss, but hearing tests revealed a hearing loss of 30 dB or more in just over half (35 patients, 58.3%). The remaining 25 patients (41.7%) reported a personal hearing loss, but hearing tests showed a hearing loss of less than 30 dB, and none of them reported severe discomfort. Furthermore, of the patients with a hearing loss of 30 dB or more, 10 patients (28.6%) had bilateral tinnitus. The remaining 25 patients (71.4%) had unilateral tinnitus, with an average pure-tone hearing loss of 40.43 dB. Patients who experienced hearing loss in particular experienced greater hearing loss at higher frequencies (above 4 kHz). In particular, the average tinnitus threshold at this time was 62.38 dB, the same as the average pure tone hearing measurement values ​​in the high frequency ranges of 4 kHz (56.78 dB) and 8 kHz (72.78 dB).

[0029] The results of this paper showed that the relationship between tinnitus and hearing loss at a higher frequency (8 kHz) was statistically more significant than the relationship between tinnitus and hearing loss at 4 kHz. In other words, it appears that many patients with age-related tinnitus complain of high-pitched tinnitus despite age-related hearing loss in the high-frequency range. This characteristic may allow doctors to infer the type of hearing loss accompanying age-related tinnitus, which may be of great help in understanding the patient's overall condition. Finally, when recommending treatments for age-related tinnitus patients, such as medication, hearing aids, or tinnitus restoration training, more effective treatments can be expected by taking into account the presence or absence of accompanying hearing loss and the characteristics of the tinnitus.

[0030] During the course of treatment 120, cognitive behavioral therapy is conducted in the order of behavioral beliefs, automatic thoughts, and emotional responses, and the patient is trained to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus after evaluating the emotional responses. Hearing therapy is conducted in the order of auditory nerve modulation, brain-neuroplasticity, and neural responses, and the patient is trained to identify the neural responses as preferences for positive sound stimuli.

[0031] In this case, the tinnitus digital treatment technology according to the embodiment of the present invention may utilize a digital therapeutic agent in conjunction with a hearing aid tailored to the individual's hearing ability and a terminal device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet PC, etc.) owned by the patient. The tinnitus digital treatment technology according to the embodiment of the present invention may be installed in the form of an application on a terminal device owned by the patient (or user) and linked to the hearing aid worn or owned by the patient, which may provide data communication 130 that can also be linked to a server.

[0032] The server allows external experts and specialist doctors to monitor the user's condition and progress, and provide remote consultation and feedback via video chat, etc. At this time, the external experts and specialist doctors may directly set and modify the cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy programs.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital tinnitus treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The method of FIG. 2 may be performed by a digital tinnitus treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, in step S210, a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test are performed using a hearing aid and a terminal.

[0036] Step 210 may involve performing tinnitus tests such as the THI (Tinnitus Handicap Index) and TSCHQ (Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire) using the hearing aid and a terminal carried by the patient, and may also involve performing tinnitus tests and hearing loss tests such as pure tone audiometry using the hearing aid and a terminal carried by the patient.

[0037] For example, step 210 may visually present the THI questionnaire and TSCHQ through an application installed on a terminal carried by the patient, collect information entered by the patient into the terminal, and perform a tinnitus test. Alternatively, step 210 may perform a pure-tone audiometry test through a hearing aid worn or carried by the patient that is linked to the terminal carried by the patient. Thus, the present invention determines the presence or absence of hearing loss according to frequency through a hearing loss test and a tinnitus test, and compares the presence or absence of tinnitus based on the determination.

[0038] More specifically, in step 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the application may ask the patient which ear and at what frequency the patient is most likely to lose sound, and then ask the patient which ear the patient is hearing tinnitus from, and then step 210 may provide sound sources of various frequencies to prompt the patient to select the frequency at which the patient is most likely to experience hearing loss, and then guide the patient to select the tinnitus frequency that is closest to the patient's own tinnitus.

[0039] Here, tinnitus can be broadly defined as five types of sounds, including buzzing, roaring, mouse clicking, hissing, and humming.

[0040] First, step 210 may determine the frequency and intensity of the tone or noise that is closest to the tinnitus that the user finds most unpleasant through a tinnitus test, and then match the closest frequency and volume. Alternatively, in step 210, once the tinnitus frequency is determined, a test may be performed while varying the volume of a stimulus sound using a pure tone or noise to explore the volume of the tinnitus, and the volume of the tinnitus may be explored by adjusting the stimulus sound while checking whether the tinnitus is louder or quieter than the matched test sound.

[0041] In step 220, the presence or absence of hearing loss is determined based on whether or not there is a hearing loss of a certain value or more in a preset frequency range, and the presence or absence of tinnitus due to hearing loss in the high frequency range is determined.

[0042] The present invention is characterized by determining whether there is hearing loss of a certain value or more in a preset frequency range (high frequency), and diagnosing tinnitus if the hearing loss in the high frequency range is significant by weighting the presence of tinnitus in the high frequency range. That is, based on the theory that the likelihood of tinnitus is high when the hearing loss in the high frequency range is large, step 220 may diagnose tinnitus by weighting the possibility of tinnitus if the hearing loss in the high frequency range is large. For example, if a patient has hearing loss in a preset high frequency range, step 220 adds a weight to the high frequency range because the likelihood of tinnitus in the high frequency range is high, and adding a weight to the process of determining whether or not tinnitus is present increases the likelihood that the patient has tinnitus.

[0043] Step 220 may classify patients with mild to moderate hearing loss based on whether a hearing loss of a certain value or more exists in a preset frequency range through a hearing loss test, and if there is hearing loss in the high frequency range, may diagnose tinnitus by weighting the presence of tinnitus in the high frequency range. Thus, step 220 may classify patients into non-pulsatile, chronic for 3 months or more, with hearing loss, and sensitive tinnitus symptoms based on the tinnitus test and the weighting.

[0044] As an example, step 220 may screen a patient for tinnitus using a tinnitus test such as the THI or TSCHQ to classify patients as having non-pulsatile, chronic (greater than 3 months), hearing loss, or sensitive tinnitus. Step 220 may also screen a patient for hearing loss using a hearing loss test such as adaptive audiometry to classify patients as having mild-moderate hearing loss (greater than about 30 dB).

[0045] At this time, all data generated during the tinnitus test and hearing loss test can be stored and viewed not only on the patient's terminal but also in conjunction with the server and the application of the present invention.

[0046] In step 220, the digital tinnitus treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention applies cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy to a specific patient group classified during the tinnitus test and hearing loss test.

[0047] In step 230, the patient identified as a tinnitus patient is administered software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aid therapy.

[0048] Step 230 may perform software-based cognitive behavioral therapy by providing the specific patient group classified in step 220 with an application or visualized educational materials, a diary-style thought record, push notifications, and alarms installed on a terminal carried by the patient. Step 230 may also perform hardware-based hearing aid therapy by providing the specific patient group classified in step 220 with a hearing aid function for tinnitus patients through a hearing aid linked to a terminal carried by the patient.

[0049] All data generated during the course of cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy can be stored and viewed not only on the patient's terminal but also in conjunction with the server and the application of the present invention.

[0050] Step 230 may provide the patient with an optimal weekly treatment program including cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy by individually designing and modifying the weekly treatment items according to the patient's symptoms and condition through the medical team and the digital therapeutic provider via the server.

[0051] The cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy of step 230 are described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0052] In addition, the tinnitus digital treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include step 240 of monitoring patient information and treatment progress. For example, step 240 may update patient information regarding the results of a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test, and the presence or absence of hearing loss and tinnitus, and monitor the updated patient information and treatment progress through cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy in real time. This allows the user (or patient) to check their own monitored condition through an application installed on their device. Furthermore, in step 240, the monitorable information may be transmitted via the web to medical staff and companies providing digital therapeutics. Medical staff or company administrators may individually design and modify weekly treatment items according to the patient's symptoms and condition, providing the patient with an optimal weekly treatment program.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a digital tinnitus treatment method that performs cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to a trend in psychotherapy that attempts to treat maladaptive behavior by systematically integrating concepts, principles, and theories related to cognitive aspects such as thoughts, beliefs, and values, as well as concrete aspects of psychomotor behavior. It is a broad concept that generally refers to counseling and psychotherapy attempts that integrate behavior modification based on conditioning theory with cognitive therapy, which uses cognitive approaches such as those of Kelly and Ellis.

[0055] Here, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may treat the emotional reactions 313 of automatic thoughts 312 to behavioral beliefs 311 from negative to positive.

[0056] Hearing aid therapy involves training the auditory nerve to adjust by injecting specific sounds through hearing aids, assessing brain-neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change its neural circuits based on changes in the auditory nerve, and recording and training brain-neuroplasticity for tinnitus. In other words, hearing aid therapy works by learning that a specific sound is not important so that the brain no longer recognizes it even if it continues to hear it, or does not feel pain even if it does recognize it. When a specific sound is classified as unimportant, this signal is filtered at a subconscious level and no longer connects to the limbic system and autonomic nervous system.

[0057] Hearing therapy reduces the intensity of tinnitus by using repeated sounds (e.g., white noise) to reduce the response of the limbic and autonomic nervous systems and trivialize the tinnitus signal. Understanding tinnitus, changing one's perception of it, and associating it with positive emotions can reduce stress levels caused by tinnitus.

[0058] Here, hearing aid therapy may involve auditory neuromodulation 321 to train brain-neuroplasticity 322 to minimize neural responses 323.

[0059] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a tinnitus digital therapeutic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a tinnitus therapeutic unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a digital tinnitus treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention performs cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing therapy involving a hearing aid.

[0061] To this end, the tinnitus digital therapy device 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a test execution unit 410, a judgment unit 420, a tinnitus therapy unit 430, and a monitoring unit 440. The tinnitus therapy unit 430 may also include a behavioral belief reinforcement unit 431, a behavioral repetition practice unit 432, an emotional response evaluation unit 433, a neuromodulation unit 434, an evaluation unit 435, and a training recording unit 436.

[0062] The test execution unit 410 executes a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test using a hearing aid and a terminal.

[0063] The test execution unit 410 may perform tinnitus tests such as the THI (Tinnitus Handicap Index) and TSCHQ (Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire) using the hearing aid and a terminal device carried by the patient, and may perform tinnitus tests and hearing loss tests such as pure tone audiometry using the hearing aid and a terminal device carried by the patient.

[0064] For example, the test execution unit 410 may visually present the THI questionnaire and TSCHQ through an application installed on a terminal carried by the patient, and may perform a tinnitus test by collecting information entered by the patient into the terminal. The test execution unit 410 may also perform a pure-tone audiometry test through a hearing aid worn or carried by the patient, which is linked to the terminal carried by the patient. Thus, the present invention determines whether there is frequency-dependent hearing loss through a hearing loss test and a tinnitus test, and compares the presence or absence of tinnitus based on the result.

[0065] More specifically, the test execution unit 410 according to an embodiment of the present invention may ask the patient through an application which ear will lose sound at which frequency and receive a response from the patient, and which ear will hear tinnitus and receive a response from the patient. The test execution unit 410 may then provide sound sources of various frequencies, prompt the patient to select the frequency at which hearing loss will occur, and guide the patient to select the tinnitus frequency that is closest to their own tinnitus.

[0066] Here, tinnitus can be broadly defined as five types of sounds: buzzing insects, buzzing sounds, mouse clicking sounds, hissing sounds, and humming sounds.

[0067] First, the test execution unit 410 may use a tinnitus test to determine the frequency and intensity of a tone or noise that is closest to the tinnitus that the user finds most unpleasant, and then match the closest frequency and intensity. After determining the frequency of the tinnitus, the test execution unit 410 may proceed with the test while changing the volume of a stimulus sound using a pure tone or noise to search for the volume of the tinnitus, and may search for the volume of the tinnitus by adjusting the stimulus sound while checking whether the tinnitus is louder or quieter than the matched test sound.

[0068] The determination unit 420 determines whether there is hearing loss of a certain value or more in a preset frequency range or whether there is hearing loss, and determines whether there is tinnitus due to hearing loss in the high frequency range.

[0069] The present invention is characterized by determining whether there is hearing loss of a certain value or more in a preset frequency range (high frequency), and diagnosing tinnitus by weighting the presence of tinnitus in the high frequency range when the hearing loss in the high frequency range is significant. That is, based on the theory that the likelihood of tinnitus is high when the hearing loss in the high frequency range is significant, the determination unit 420 may diagnose tinnitus by weighting the possibility of tinnitus when the hearing loss in the high frequency range is significant. For example, if the patient has hearing loss in a preset high frequency range, the determination unit 420 adds a weight to the high frequency range because the likelihood of tinnitus in the high frequency range is high, and adds a weight to the process of determining whether or not tinnitus is present, thereby increasing the likelihood that the patient has tinnitus.

[0070] The determination unit 420 may classify patients as having mild to moderate hearing loss depending on whether a hearing loss of a certain value or more exists in a preset frequency range through a hearing loss test, and may diagnose tinnitus by weighting the presence of tinnitus in the high frequency range if the hearing loss exists in the high frequency range. Thus, the determination unit 420 may classify patients as having tinnitus symptoms of non-pulsatile, chronic for three months or more, with hearing loss, and sensitive based on the tinnitus test and the weighting.

[0071] For example, the determination unit 420 may examine the patient's tinnitus using a tinnitus test such as the THI or TSCHQ and classify the patient into those with non-pulsatile, chronic (more than 3 months), hearing loss, and sensitive tinnitus symptoms. The determination unit 420 may also examine the patient's hearing loss using a hearing loss test such as a pure tone audiometry and classify the patient into those with mild to moderate hearing loss (approximately 30 dB or more).

[0072] At this time, all data generated during the tinnitus test and hearing loss test can be stored and viewed not only on the patient's terminal but also in conjunction with the server and the application of the present invention.

[0073] The tinnitus digital therapeutic device 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention applies cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy to a specific patient group classified by the determination unit 420 during the tinnitus test and hearing loss test.

[0074] The tinnitus therapy unit 430 implements software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aid therapy for patients identified as tinnitus sufferers.

[0075] The tinnitus treatment unit 430 may perform software-based cognitive behavioral therapy by providing applications or visualized educational materials, diary-style thought records, push notifications, and alarms installed on the terminals carried by the patients to the specific patient group classified by the determination unit 420. In addition, the tinnitus treatment unit 430 may perform hardware-based hearing aid therapy by providing a hearing aid function for tinnitus patients through a hearing aid linked to the terminals carried by the patients to the specific patient group classified by the determination unit 420.

[0076] All data generated during the cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy can be stored and viewed not only on the patient's terminal but also in conjunction with the server and the application of the present invention.

[0077] The tinnitus treatment unit 430 may provide the patient with an optimal weekly treatment program including cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy by individually designing and modifying weekly treatment items according to the patient's symptoms and condition through medical staff and digital therapeutic agent providers via a server.

[0078] At this time, the tinnitus treatment unit 430 may perform cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy, and may first perform software cognitive behavioral therapy so that the patient's perception of tinnitus changes from a negative reaction to a positive reaction.

[0079] The behavioral belief strengthening unit 431 may strengthen a behavioral belief regarding tinnitus. The behavioral repetition practice unit 432 may practice a behavioral repetition regarding tinnitus. The emotional response evaluation unit 433 may evaluate an emotional response.

[0080] The tinnitus therapy unit 430 may also implement hardware hearing therapy to minimize neural responses through brain-neuroplastic training for the patient's tinnitus.

[0081] The neuromodulation unit 434 may modulate the auditory nerve for tinnitus. The evaluation unit 435 may evaluate brain-neuroplasticity for tinnitus. The recording training unit 436 may train to record brain-neuroplasticity for tinnitus.

[0082] The monitoring unit 440 may monitor patient information and treatment progress. For example, the monitoring unit 440 may update the test results of tinnitus tests and hearing loss tests, and patient information regarding the presence or absence of hearing loss and tinnitus, and monitor the updated patient information and treatment progress through cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy in real time. This allows the user (or patient) to check their own monitored condition through an application installed on their device. Furthermore, the information monitored through the monitoring unit 440 is transmitted via the web to medical staff and companies providing digital therapeutics, allowing medical staff or company administrators to individually design and modify weekly treatment items according to the patient's symptoms and condition, thereby providing the patient with an optimal weekly treatment program.

[0083] Thus, tinnitus requires classification of patients through a medical interview and appropriate tests, and appropriate treatment options must be selected.

[0084] In stage 1, i.e., when tinnitus is not severe, excellent results can be achieved simply by using the right environment.

[0085] In stage 2, where tinnitus interferes with daily life to some extent but there is no abnormality in hearing, improvement can be achieved with a sound generator, just as in stage 1.

[0086] In the case of stage 3, i.e., stage 2 with hearing loss, improvement is possible by using hearing aids and combining natural sounds and environmental sound generators.

[0087] In one embodiment, a digital tinnitus treatment device that performs cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aid therapy can determine this using one software and improve tinnitus by providing appropriate hearing aid therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

[0088] The above-described devices may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or various devices capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the OS. The processing device may also access, record, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described. However, those skilled in the art will understand that a processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing device may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0089] Software may include computer programs, codes, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing device to operate as desired or may independently or collectively instruct the processing device. The software and / or data may be embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium, or device to be interpreted by the processing device or to provide instructions or data to the processing device. The software may be distributed and stored and executed in a distributed manner on computer systems connected by a network. The software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable storage media.

[0090] Methods according to embodiments may be implemented in the form of program instructions executable by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The medium may continuously store a computer-executable program or may temporarily store the program for execution or download. The medium may also be various recording or storage means, including a single or multiple hardware devices, and may be directly connected to a computer system or distributed over a network. Examples of media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and media configured to store program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Other examples of media include recording media or storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications, or by websites or servers that provide or distribute various software. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code, such as that generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0091] Although the embodiments have been described above based on limited examples and drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made from the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from that described, and / or the described system, structure, device, circuit, or other element may be coupled or combined in a manner different from that described, or may be substituted or replaced by other elements or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0092] Therefore, different embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims, provided that they are equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 400 Tinnitus Digital Treatment Device 410 Inspection Execution Department 420 Judgment Department 430 Tinnitus Treatment Department 440 Monitoring Department

Claims

1. 1. A digital tinnitus treatment method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and a hearing aid, performed by a computer device, comprising: performing a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test using the hearing aid and the terminal; determining whether or not there is hearing loss based on whether or not there is a hearing loss of a certain value or more in a predetermined frequency range, and determining whether or not there is tinnitus due to hearing loss in the high frequency range; administering software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aid therapy to the patient identified as a tinnitus patient; Digital tinnitus treatment methods, including:

2. The step of performing the tinnitus test and the hearing loss test includes: Using the terminal carried by the patient, a tinnitus test such as the THI (Tinnitus Handicap Index) or the TSCHQ (Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire) is performed. The digital therapy method of claim 1.

3. The step of performing the tinnitus test and the hearing loss test includes: performing a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test such as a pure tone audiometry using the hearing aid and the terminal carried by the patient; The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 2.

4. The determining step includes: The hearing loss test classifies patients into those with mild to moderate hearing loss based on whether or not they have a hearing loss of a certain value or more in a preset frequency range, and if they have hearing loss in the high frequency range, the presence of tinnitus in the high frequency range is weighted to diagnose tinnitus. The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 3, characterized in that:

5. The determining step includes: Based on the tinnitus test and the weighted value, classify the patient into non-pulsatile, chronic for 3 months or more, with hearing loss, and sensitive tinnitus symptoms. The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 4.

6. The step of administering the treatment includes: and providing the specific patient group classified in the determining step with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) including visualized educational materials, diary-style thought records, push notifications, and alarms to perform the hearing aid therapy of the hearing aid function. The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 5.

7. The step of administering the treatment includes: The cognitive behavioral therapy software is executed through the terminal device carried by the patient; Steps to strengthen behavioral beliefs about tinnitus; practicing the repetition of the tinnitus behavior; assessing an emotional response to said tinnitus; further comprising training the subject to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus through the emotional response assessment; The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 6.

8. The step of administering the treatment includes: Implementing the hardware hearing therapy through the hearing aid carried by the patient; adjusting the auditory nerve for tinnitus; assessing brain-neuroplasticity for said tinnitus; training to record brain-neuroplasticity for said tinnitus; further comprising Through brain-neuroplastic training for tinnitus, training is performed to minimize neural responses; The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 6.

9. Monitoring patient information and treatment progress further comprising: The tinnitus digital treatment method according to claim 1.

10. A digital tinnitus treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aids, comprising: a test execution unit that executes a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test using a hearing aid and a terminal; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is hearing loss based on whether or not there is a hearing loss of a certain value or more in a predetermined frequency range, and determines whether or not there is tinnitus due to hearing loss in the high frequency range; a tinnitus treatment department that administers software cognitive behavioral therapy and hardware hearing aid therapy to patients identified as tinnitus patients; and tinnitus digital therapy devices.

11. The inspection execution unit Using the hearing aid and the terminal carried by the patient, a tinnitus test such as the THI (Tinnitus Handicap Index) or the TSCHQ (Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire) is performed. The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 10.

12. The inspection execution unit performing a tinnitus test and a hearing loss test such as a pure tone audiometry using the hearing aid and the terminal carried by the patient; The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 11.

13. The determination unit The hearing loss test classifies patients into those with mild to moderate hearing loss based on whether they have a hearing loss of a certain value or more in a preset frequency range, and if they have a hearing loss in the high frequency range, the presence of tinnitus in the high frequency range is weighted to diagnose tinnitus. The tinnitus digital therapeutic device according to claim 12, characterized in that

14. The determination unit Based on the tinnitus test and the weighted value, classify the patient into a non-pulsatile, chronic tinnitus symptom lasting for more than three months, with hearing loss, and with susceptibility. The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 13.

15. The tinnitus treatment unit includes: and performing the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) of visual educational materials, diary-style thought records, push notifications, and alarms on the specific patient group classified by the judgment unit, thereby performing the hearing therapy of hearing aid functions.

15. The tinnitus digital treatment device of claim 14.

16. The tinnitus treatment unit includes: The cognitive behavioral therapy software is executed through the terminal device carried by the patient; a behavioral belief strengthening unit that strengthens a behavioral belief about tinnitus; a behavioral repetition training unit that trains the behavioral repetition for the tinnitus; an emotional response evaluation unit that evaluates an emotional response to the tinnitus; further comprising training the subject to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus through the emotional response assessment; 16. The tinnitus digital treatment device of claim 15.

17. The tinnitus treatment unit includes: Implementing the hardware hearing therapy through the hearing aid carried by the patient; a neuromodulation unit that modulates the auditory nerve for tinnitus; An evaluation unit for evaluating brain-neuroplasticity for tinnitus; A recording training unit that trains to record brain-neuroplasticity for tinnitus; further comprising Through brain-neuroplastic training for tinnitus, training is performed to minimize neural responses; 16. The tinnitus digital treatment device of claim 15.

18. Monitoring department for monitoring patient information and treatment progress 11. The tinnitus digital therapy device of claim 10, further comprising:

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