Tinnitus digital therapy method and device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy

Abstract

Provided are a tinnitus digital treatment method and apparatus involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy. The tinnitus digital treatment method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy executed by a computer device in one embodiment includes the steps of performing sound stimulation therapy (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and performing cognitive behavioral therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT) to change the user's recognition of the tinnitus from a negative reaction to a positive reaction and recognize it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a tinnitus digital therapy method and apparatus involving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) for improving recognition and alleviating tinnitus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tinnitus digital therapy method and apparatus involving cognitive behavioral therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy, which utilize software (such as a smartphone application) incorporating a tinnitus digital therapeutic agent and earphones and hearing aids through which sound is transmitted.

Background Art

[0002] Tinnitus, one of the ear diseases, is a disease in which sound is heard in the ear even without external sound stimulation. Furthermore, most tinnitus patients are said to be accompanied by depression. In Korea, about 15% of the population has experienced tinnitus, and it is reported that about 8% of severe patients are extremely affected by sleep, and about 1% of patients have problems in their daily lives. In particular, due to the increase in noise accompanying the development of industries, the complicated mental life, the increase in the elderly population, the abuse of drugs, etc., the number of tinnitus patients is showing an increasing trend. Accordingly, the importance of diagnosing and treating tinnitus patients is increasing.

[0003] Although the path through which tinnitus occurs has not been fully elucidated, pathologically, it is considered that auditory deficits / cranial nerve pathways and hearing loss affect the perception and emotions of the brain through the limbic system.

[0004] Although the number of tinnitus patients is increasing due to reasons such as stress, there is currently no reliable drug treatment method for tinnitus. Although sound therapy software such as tinnitus masking has been continuously developed, its effect is still not sufficient. Therefore, there is a need for cognitive behavioral therapy accompanied by sound therapy for improving the recognition of tinnitus and alleviating tinnitus.

[0005] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1745027 relates to a customized tinnitus treatment device and a method for stimulating auditory cells of tinnitus patients, and describes a technology for a device that treats tinnitus using acoustic signals.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The embodiment relates to a digital tinnitus treatment method and device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy. More specifically, it provides a digital tinnitus treatment technology involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy that utilizes software (such as a smartphone application) with a built-in digital tinnitus treatment agent and earphones and hearing aids through which sound is transmitted.

[0007] The embodiment provides a digital tinnitus treatment method and device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy that combines two types, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sound stimulation therapy (TRT), to change the user's perception of tinnitus, thereby alleviating tinnitus and improving the perception of tinnitus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A digital tinnitus treatment method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy executed by a computer device in one embodiment may include steps of executing sound stimulation therapy (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and executing cognitive behavioral therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT) to change the user's perception of tinnitus from a negative reaction to a positive reaction.

[0009] The step of executing the sound stimulation therapy (TRT) may include steps of identifying the user's preference for positive sound stimulation through questions and answers provided by an application installed on a terminal, and confirming the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus through questions and answers provided by the application.

[0010] The step of checking the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus may determine the frequency of the tinnitus through a tinnitus examination by means of questions and answers provided by an application installed on the terminal, and check the frequency and intensity of the tone or noise closest to the tinnitus that the user feels most uncomfortable with, and match the closest frequency and magnitude.

[0011] The step of checking the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus, after the frequency of the tinnitus is confirmed, may use pure tone or noise to change the magnitude of the stimulating sound while examining to find the magnitude of the tinnitus, and adjust with the stimulating sound while checking whether the tinnitus is louder or softer than the matched examination sound to find the magnitude of the tinnitus.

[0012] The step of performing the sound stimulation therapy (TRT) may include the step of modulating the sound source for tinnitus treatment according to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and the step of positively restructuring the situation or event in which the tinnitus occurs.

[0013] The step of modulating the sound source for tinnitus treatment may search for the frequency of the user's tinnitus and apply a filter to perform tinnitus treatment using notch therapy to remove a certain band included in the frequency of the tinnitus.

[0014] The step of performing the sound stimulation therapy (TRT) may further include the step of training to identify automatic thoughts about the tinnitus, the step of planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts about the tinnitus, and the step of training to record the automatic thoughts about the tinnitus. By planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts about the tinnitus, the preference for positive sound stimulation may be identified.

[0015] The step of performing the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may further include the step of strengthening the behavioral belief towards tinnitus, the step of practicing the behavioral repetition towards the tinnitus, and the step of evaluating the emotional reaction towards the tinnitus, and through the evaluation of the emotional reaction, training may be conducted to identify the automatic thoughts towards tinnitus.

[0016] In other embodiments, a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may include a sound stimulation therapy unit that performs sound stimulation therapy (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and a cognitive behavioral therapy unit that performs cognitive behavioral therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT) to change the user's perception of tinnitus from a negative reaction to a positive reaction.

[0017] The sound stimulation therapy unit may include a sound stimulation preference identification unit that identifies the user's preference for positive sound stimulation through questions and answers provided by an application installed on the terminal, and a tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit that confirms the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus through questions and answers provided by the application.

[0018] The tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit may determine the frequency of the tinnitus through a tinnitus examination by means of questions and answers provided by an application installed on the terminal, and confirm the frequency and intensity of the tone or noise closest to the tinnitus that the user feels most uncomfortable with, and match the closest frequency and magnitude.

[0019] After the frequency of the tinnitus is confirmed, the tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit may conduct an examination while changing the magnitude of the stimulation sound using pure sound or noise to search for the magnitude of the tinnitus, and adjust with the stimulation sound while confirming whether the tinnitus is louder or softer than the matched examination sound to search for the magnitude of the tinnitus.

[0020] The sound stimulation therapy unit may include a sound source modulation unit that modulates a sound source for tinnitus treatment according to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and a positive restructuring unit that positively restructures the situation or event in which tinnitus occurs.

[0021] The sound stimulation therapy unit may further include an automatic thought identification unit trained to identify automatic thoughts regarding tinnitus, an automatic thought evaluation unit that plans and evaluates the automatic thoughts regarding tinnitus, and an automatic thought recording training unit trained to record the automatic thoughts regarding tinnitus. By planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts regarding tinnitus, the preference for positive sound stimulation may be identified.

[0022] The cognitive behavioral therapy unit may further include a behavioral belief strengthening unit that strengthens the behavioral beliefs regarding tinnitus, a behavioral repetition practice unit that practices the behavioral repetitions regarding tinnitus, and an emotional response evaluation unit that evaluates the emotional responses regarding tinnitus. By evaluating the emotional responses, training may be performed to identify automatic thoughts regarding tinnitus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to an embodiment, by comprehensively utilizing two types, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sound stimulation therapy (TRT), to change the user's perception of tinnitus, it is possible to provide a tinnitus digital therapy method and apparatus involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy that alleviate tinnitus and improve the perception of tinnitus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figures 7a - 7c

Figures 8a - 8d

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the described embodiments can be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the embodiments described later. Also, various embodiments are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field. The shapes, sizes, etc. of the elements shown in the figures may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0026] The following embodiments provide a tinnitus digital treatment method and device accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sound stimulation therapy (TRT) for improving the recognition of tinnitus and alleviating tinnitus.

[0027] The embodiment is a method of comprehensively utilizing two types, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sound stimulation therapy (TRT). The principle of the tinnitus digital therapeutic agent based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of changing the user's recognition of tinnitus. Also, the tinnitus digital therapeutic agent based on sound stimulation therapy (TRT) is a method of alleviating tinnitus and improving recognition.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the user's cognition can be improved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and auditory stimulation therapy (TRT). More specifically, according to an embodiment, through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and auditory stimulation therapy (TRT), cognitive restructuring can be achieved from a negative reaction such as the pain of tinnitus to a positive reaction such as being comfortable. That is, it can be changed from a negative reaction such as "tinnitus = pain" to a positive reaction such as "tinnitus = comfortable".

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a digital tinnitus therapy method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and auditory stimulation therapy in one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, auditory stimulation therapy (TRT) means that when a specific sound is learned not to be an important sound, the brain stops recognizing it even if the sound continues to be heard, or even if it is recognized, it does not feel pain. When a specific sound is classified as unimportant, the signal is omitted at the subconscious level and is not connected to the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system.

[0031] Auditory stimulation therapy (TRT) uses sound (such as white noise) to repeatedly reduce the intensity of tinnitus, thereby reducing the reactions of the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system and changing the tinnitus signal to something unimportant. By understanding tinnitus, changing the perception of tinnitus, and connecting positive emotions with tinnitus, the stress level caused by tinnitus can be reduced.

[0032] Here, auditory stimulation therapy (TRT) can treat the emotional reaction 130 of the automatic thinking 120 to the situation / event 110 from the negative part to the positive part.

[0033] Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also refers to a trend in psychotherapy that attempts to treat maladaptive behaviors by systematically integrating concepts, principles, and theories related to the cognitive aspects such as thinking, beliefs, values, etc., and at the same time, the aspects of psychomotor behavior that are concretely manifested. Generally, it is a broad concept that includes counseling and psychotherapy that integrate behavior modification based on conditioning theory and cognitive therapy that takes cognitive approaches such as those of Kelly and Ellis.

[0034] Here, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can treat the emotional reaction 130 of automatic thinking 120 to behavioral belief 140 from the negative part to the positive part.

[0035] Figure 2 is a flowchart for explaining a tinnitus digital therapy involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment.

[0036] Referring to Figure 2, a tinnitus digital therapy involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment repeatedly executes an interaction through the user, a software program, and a sound stimulation. According to the embodiment, it makes the tinnitus be recognized as a pleasant sound and be recognized as a part of daily life.

[0037] A tinnitus digital therapy involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy executed by a computer device in one embodiment may include a step of executing a sound stimulation therapy (TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and a step of executing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) so that the user's perception of the tinnitus is changed from a negative reaction to a positive reaction and is recognized as such.

[0038] More specifically, in one embodiment, the tinnitus digital therapy method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy executed by a computer device may include step 201 of identifying the user's preference for positive sound stimulation based on questions and answers provided by an application installed on a terminal, and step 202 of confirming the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus based on questions and answers provided by the application.

[0039] Furthermore, it may include step 203 of modulating a sound source for tinnitus treatment according to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and step 204 of positively restructuring the situation or event in which tinnitus occurs. This may be included in the step of executing sound stimulation therapy (TRT).

[0040] Moreover, it may further include step 205 of training to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus, step 206 of planning and evaluating automatic thoughts about tinnitus, and step 207 of training to record automatic thoughts about tinnitus. By planning and evaluating automatic thoughts about tinnitus, the preference for positive sound stimulation may be identified. This may be included in both the step of executing sound stimulation therapy (TRT) and the step of executing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

[0041] Furthermore, it may further include step 208 of strengthening behavioral beliefs about tinnitus, step 209 of practicing behavioral repetitions about tinnitus, and step 210 of evaluating emotional reactions to tinnitus. Based on the evaluation of emotional reactions, training may be conducted to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus. This may be included in the step of executing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

[0042] Hereinafter, the tinnitus digital therapy method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a tinnitus digital therapy device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may be installed in the form of an application on a user terminal 320 such as a smartphone, and may work in conjunction with an acoustic device 330 such as earphones, hearing aids, or speakers worn or held by the user 310, and may also work in conjunction with a server 340.

[0045] In particular, in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may work in conjunction with a hearing aid or personalized acoustic device according to an individual's hearing ability so that digital therapeutic agents can be utilized.

[0046] An external expert or specialist can monitor the user's condition and progress through the server 340, and remote diagnosis and feedback transmission can be achieved through video chat or the like. At this time, an external expert or specialist may directly set and modify the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sound stimulation therapy (TRT) programs.

[0047] Regarding the tinnitus digital treatment method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment will be described as an example.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, a tinnitus digital treatment device 400 involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy according to one embodiment may include a sound stimulation therapy unit 410 and a cognitive behavioral therapy unit 420. Here, the sound stimulation therapy unit 410 may include a sound stimulation preference discrimination unit 411, a tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit 412, a sound source modulation unit 413, a positive restructuring unit 414, an automatic thought discrimination unit 415, an automatic thought evaluation unit 416, and an automatic thought recording training unit 417. The cognitive behavioral therapy unit 420 may include a behavioral belief strengthening unit 421, a behavioral repetition practice unit 422, and an emotional reaction evaluation unit 423.

[0050] First, the sound stimulation therapy unit 410 may perform a sound stimulation therapy (TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus.

[0051] In step 201, the sound stimulation preference identification unit 411 may identify the user's preference for positive sound stimulation based on the questions and answers provided by the application installed on the terminal.

[0052] In step 202, the tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit 412 may confirm the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus based on the questions and answers provided by the application. That is, a service may be provided to perform a tinnitus examination with software to grasp the magnitude and frequency of the tinnitus.

[0053] More specifically, the tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit 412 may determine the frequency of the tinnitus by a tinnitus examination based on the questions and answers provided by the application installed on the terminal. For example, a questionnaire (tinnitus discomfort scale) provided by software may be used to quantify and measure the subjective discomfort caused by the tinnitus.

[0054] Here, tinnitus may be defined by five main sounds: Buzzing (the sound of insects flying), Roaring (a rumbling sound), Clicking (the sound of a mouse click), Hissing (a hissing sound), and Humming (a humming sound).

[0055] First, the tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit 412 may confirm the frequency and intensity of the tone or noise closest to the tinnitus that the user feels most uncomfortable with through a tinnitus examination, and match the closest frequency and magnitude. Also, when the frequency of the tinnitus is confirmed, the tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit 412 may use a pure tone or noise to change the magnitude of the stimulation sound while searching for the magnitude of the tinnitus, and adjust with the stimulation sound while checking whether the tinnitus is louder or softer than the matched examination sound to search for the magnitude of the tinnitus.

[0056] In step 203, the sound source modulation unit 413 may modulate the sound source for tinnitus treatment according to the frequency of the user's tinnitus.

[0057] At this time, tinnitus treatment using notch therapy may be performed. More specifically, the sound source modulation unit 413 may search for the frequency of the user's tinnitus and perform tinnitus treatment using notch therapy that applies a filter to remove a certain band included in the frequency of the tinnitus. Thereby, the detailed effect of tinnitus can be reduced and a sense of emotional stability can be given.

[0058] In step 204, the positive restructuring unit 414 may positively restructure the situation or event in which tinnitus occurs.

[0059] In step 205, the automatic thought identification unit 415 may be trained to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus.

[0060] In step 206, the automatic thought evaluation unit 416 may plan and evaluate the automatic thoughts about tinnitus. Here, by planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts about tinnitus, the preference for positive sound stimuli may be identified.

[0061] In step 207, the automatic thought recording and training unit 417 may be trained to record the automatic thoughts about tinnitus.

[0062] On the other hand, according to the embodiment, step 205, step 206, and step 207 may be included in the cognitive behavioral therapy unit 420. That is, the automatic thought identification unit 415 of the cognitive behavioral therapy unit 420 may be trained to identify the automatic thoughts about tinnitus, and the automatic thought evaluation unit 416 may plan and evaluate the automatic thoughts about tinnitus. Also, the automatic thought recording and training unit 417 may be trained to record the automatic thoughts about tinnitus.

[0063] The cognitive behavioral therapy unit 420 may perform cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change the user's perception of tinnitus from a negative reaction to a positive reaction.

[0064] In step 208, the behavioral belief strengthening unit 421 may strengthen the behavioral belief towards tinnitus.

[0065] In step 209, the behavioral repetition practice unit 422 may practice the behavioral repetition towards tinnitus.

[0066] In step 210, the emotional reaction evaluation unit 423 may evaluate the emotional reaction towards tinnitus. Here, through the evaluation of the emotional reaction, training may be conducted to identify the automatic thoughts towards tinnitus.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of tinnitus treatment using notch therapy in one embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of tinnitus treatment using notch therapy in one embodiment.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 5, a tinnitus digital treatment device 510 involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment may receive the input of various treatment sound sources 501 and transmit them to the user's terminal 520. For example, the various treatment sound sources 501 may include the chirping of birds, the sound of a campfire, the sounds heard on the road or in a specific place, the sound of wind, the sound of rain, specific sound sources, specific music, etc. At this time, in one embodiment, for the tinnitus digital treatment device 510 involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy, by applying the notch filter 511, specific frequencies of the input treatment sound sources 501 or the noise included in specific frequencies may be removed. After that, the sound source may be provided through the mixer 521 and the audio device speaker 522 of the terminal 520 to perform tinnitus treatment.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 6, a tinnitus digital treatment device 610 involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment may receive inputs of various treatment sound sources 601 and transmit them to a user's terminal 620. At this time, the tinnitus digital treatment device 610 involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment may mix various treatment sound sources 601 by a mixer 611, and by applying a notch filter 612, remove specific frequencies of the input treatment sound sources 601 or noise included in specific frequencies. After that, a sound source may be provided via an audio device speaker 621 of the terminal 620 to perform tinnitus treatment.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy provided via an application in one embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 7(a), a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment may confirm the frequency of each user's tinnitus after membership registration and login, and provide a treatment sound source according to the frequency of the tinnitus. At this time, information about the user may be additionally recorded. Also, a method for finding the frequency of the user's tinnitus may be provided through the application.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7(b), a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment may provide sound sources for tinnitus treatment, such as natural sounds or meditation sound sources, via the application.

[0073] Also, as shown in FIG. 7(c), a tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment may provide voice recordings recorded by an administrator or a user for tinnitus treatment via the application. It is also possible for the user to download and use additional sound sources from the application.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a tinnitus examination in one embodiment.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 8(a), in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may perform a tinnitus frequency and tinnitus examination for self-diagnosis via an application.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 8(b), in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may ask which ear the tinnitus occurs in via an application and receive a response from the user.

[0077] Also, referring to FIG. 8(c), in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may provide sound sources of various frequencies and induce the user to select the tinnitus with the frequency most similar to his or her own tinnitus.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 8(d), in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may provide various tones and induce the user to select the tinnitus with the tone most similar to his or her own tinnitus. Also, in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may induce the user to select the tinnitus with the loudness most similar to his or her own tinnitus.

[0079] Thereafter, in one embodiment, a tinnitus digital treatment device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy may provide a treatment sound source according to the measured tinnitus frequency and tone via an application.

[0080] Thus, it is necessary to classify patients through a medical interview and appropriate examinations and select a suitable treatment method for them.

[0081] In stage 1, that is, when the tinnitus is not severe, excellent effects can be obtained only by using an appropriate environment.

[0082] Stage 2, that is, when tinnitus causes a certain degree of interference in life but there is no auditory abnormality, it can be improved by a sound generator in the same way as in Stage 1.

[0083] Stage 3, that is, in the case of Stage 2 accompanied by hearing loss, it can be improved by using a hearing aid and the like and combining a natural sound and an environmental sound generator.

[0084] The tinnitus digital treatment device involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy in one embodiment can be judged by one piece of software, and tinnitus can be improved by a sound stimulation therapy and a cognitive behavioral therapy suitable therefor.

[0085] The above-described device may be realized by hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments may be realized by using one or more general-purpose computers or special-purpose computers such as a processor, a controller, an ALU (arithmetic logic unit), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a PLU (programmable logic unit), a microprocessor, or various devices capable of executing instructions and responding. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications executed on the OS. Further, the processing device may access data, record, operate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For the sake of convenience of understanding, it may be described that one processing device is used, but those skilled in the art will understand that the processing device may include a plurality of processing elements and / or a plurality of types of processing elements. For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Also, other processing configurations such as a parallel processor are possible.

[0086] Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, and may configure a processing device to operate as desired or instruct the processing device, either independently or collectively. Software and / or data may be embodied in any kind of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer recording medium, or device for interpreting by the processing device or providing instructions or data to the processing device. Software may be distributed over a computer system connected by a network and recorded or executed in a distributed state. Software and data may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media.

[0087] The method according to the embodiment may be realized 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, etc. alone or in combination. The medium may be one that continuously records a program executable by a computer, or one that temporarily records for execution or download. Also, the medium may be various recording or storage means in the form of a combination of single or multiple hardware, and may be not only a medium directly connected to a certain computer system, but also one that is distributed and exists on a network. Examples of the medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and those configured to record program instructions such as ROM, RAM, and flash memories. Also, as examples of other media, it includes app stores that distribute applications, and recording media and storage media managed by sites, servers, etc. that supply and distribute other various software. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes executable by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0088] As described above, the embodiment has been described based on limited embodiments and drawings. However, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and variations from the above description. For example, even if the described technology is executed in an order different from the described method, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a form different from the described method, or opposed or replaced by other components or equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

[0089] Accordingly, even if they are different embodiments, as long as they are equivalent to the claims, they belong to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tinnitus digital therapy method involving cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy executed by a computer device, comprising the step of performing sound stimulation therapy (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and the step of performing cognitive behavioral therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT) to change the user's perception of tinnitus from a negative reaction to a positive reaction for recognition. A tinnitus digital therapy method including the above.

2. The step of performing the sound stimulation therapy (TRT) includes the step of identifying the user's preference for positive sound stimulation based on questions and answers provided by an application installed on a terminal, and the step of confirming the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus based on questions and answers provided by the application. The tinnitus digital therapy method according to Claim 1, including the above.

3. The step of confirming the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus is to determine the frequency of the tinnitus through a tinnitus examination based on questions and answers provided by an application installed on a terminal, and confirm the frequency and intensity of the tone or noise closest to the tinnitus that the user feels most uncomfortable with, and match the closest frequency and magnitude. The tinnitus digital therapy method according to Claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The step of confirming the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus is to, when the frequency of the tinnitus is confirmed, perform an examination while changing the magnitude of the stimulating sound using pure sound or noise to find the magnitude of the tinnitus, and adjust with the stimulating sound while confirming whether the tinnitus is louder or softer than the matched examination sound to find the magnitude of the tinnitus. The tinnitus digital therapy method according to Claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The step of performing the sound stimulation therapy (TRT) includes the step of modulating the sound source for tinnitus treatment according to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, and the step of positively restructuring the situation or event in which tinnitus occurs. The tinnitus digital therapy method according to Claim 1, including the above.

6. The step of modulating the sound source for tinnitus treatment is to perform tinnitus treatment using notch therapy that removes a certain band included in the frequency of the tinnitus by searching for the frequency of the user's tinnitus and applying a filter. The tinnitus digital therapy according to claim 5, characterized in that

7. The step of performing the sound stimulation therapy (TRT) includes training to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus, planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts about tinnitus, training to record the automatic thoughts about tinnitus, and further includes identifying the preference for positive sound stimulation by planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts about tinnitus The tinnitus digital therapy according to claim 1.

8. The step of performing the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) includes strengthening the behavioral beliefs about tinnitus, practicing the behavioral repetitions about tinnitus, evaluating the emotional reactions about tinnitus, and further includes training to identify automatic thoughts about tinnitus by evaluating the emotional reactions The tinnitus digital therapy according to claim 1.

9. A tinnitus digital therapy device with cognitive behavioral therapy and sound stimulation therapy, comprising a sound stimulation therapy unit that performs sound stimulation therapy (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: TRT) corresponding to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, a cognitive behavioral therapy unit that performs cognitive behavioral therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT) to change the user's perception of tinnitus from a negative reaction to a positive reaction, A tinnitus digital therapy device.

10. The sound stimulation therapy unit includes a sound stimulation preference identification unit that identifies the user's preference for positive sound stimulation based on questions and answers provided by an application installed on a terminal, a tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit that confirms the frequency and magnitude of the user's tinnitus based on questions and answers provided by the application, The tinnitus digital therapy device according to claim 9.

11. The tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit judges the frequency of the tinnitus by tinnitus examination based on questions and answers provided by an application installed on a terminal, and matches the closest frequency and magnitude by confirming the frequency and intensity of the tone or noise closest to the tinnitus that the user feels most uncomfortable with The tinnitus digital therapy device according to claim 10, characterized in that

12. The tinnitus frequency and magnitude confirmation unit When the frequency of tinnitus is confirmed, a test is conducted while changing the magnitude of a stimulus sound using a pure tone or noise to find the magnitude of the tinnitus, and the magnitude of the tinnitus is found by adjusting with the stimulus sound while checking whether the tinnitus is louder or softer than the matched test sound The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 10, characterized by the above

13. The sound stimulation therapy unit A sound source modulation unit that modulates a sound source for tinnitus treatment according to the frequency of the user's tinnitus, A positive restructuring unit that positively restructures the situation or event in which tinnitus occurs, The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 9, including the above

14. The sound stimulation therapy unit An automatic thought discrimination unit trained to discriminate automatic thoughts about tinnitus, An automatic thought evaluation unit that plans and evaluates the automatic thoughts about the tinnitus, An automatic thought recording training unit trained to record the automatic thoughts about the tinnitus, Further including By planning and evaluating the automatic thoughts about the tinnitus, identifying the preference for positive sound stimulation, The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 9

15. The cognitive behavioral therapy unit An action belief strengthening unit that strengthens the action belief regarding tinnitus, An action repetition practice unit that practices the action repetition regarding the tinnitus, An emotional reaction evaluation unit that evaluates the emotional reaction regarding the tinnitus, Further including By evaluating the emotional reaction, training to discriminate automatic thoughts about tinnitus, The tinnitus digital treatment device according to claim 9

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