Personalized tinnitus rehabilitation applications with sound therapy combined with virtual reality

Abstract

The present invention relates to personalized tinnitus rehabilitation applications with virtual reality combined with sound therapy that meets the new, effective, relatively inexpensive and personalized tinnitus treatment / therapy needs of individuals with tinnitus, characterized in that it comprises a central processor (1) that enables the virtual reality environment to be activated, a virtual reality software (2) that creates user interfaces for determining the frequency and intensity developed specifically for the patient, a virtual reality goggles (3) that allows the visuals created in the virtual reality software (2) to be transmitted to the patient, a virtual reality headset (4) that allows the frequency and intensity created in the virtual reality software (2) to be transmitted to the patient, a controller (5) that allows the navigation between frequencies so that the sounds coming to the virtual reality headset (4) can be selected in accordance with the patient's tinnitus.

Description

[0001] PERSONALIZED TINNITUS REHABILITATION APPLICATIONS WITH SOUND THERAPY COMBINED WITH VIRTUAL REALITY

[0002] Technical Field:

[0003] The present invention relates to sound therapy and personalized tinnitus rehabilitation applications combined with virtual reality that meets the new, effective, relatively inexpensive, and personalized tinnitus treatment / therapy needs of individuals with tinnitus in order to reach a better quality of life.

[0004] State of the Art:

[0005] Tinnitus refers to the perception of sound heard by the individual, in other words, ringing in ears, although there is no external stimulus. The formation mechanisms of this pathology, which can affect daily life, have not been fully elucidated even in today's technology. Especially with the aging of the society, increasing hearing losses and increases in tinnitus complaints are noteworthy.

[0006] In studies conducted worldwide, it is reported that 10% to 20% of the population has the complaint of tinnitus. It is considered that 20% of those with tinnitus complaints are looking for a treatment method and their quality of life decreases due to this complaint. It affects approximately 50 million adults in the United States, and 12 million of this population affect their daily lives and cause severe psychological stress.

[0007] There are some known applications in the present art regarding tinnitus. The following are the treatment / rehabilitation methods used in the present art.

[0008] 1- Medical Intervention: Until today, different drug treatments have been tried for the purpose of therapy. However, as a result of the studies, no drug could be determined to be used safely and effectively in patients. There is no drug approved for the treatment of tinnitus by the competent authorities of the European Union Member States (EMA) and the United States (FDA).

[0009] 2- Hearing Aids: High-intensity sounds provided to patients can reduce their perception of tinnitus, but it is known that the frequency ranges of hearing aids are limited and have no effect on some receptors (ribbon cells) in the auditory nerve.

[0010] 3- rTMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Applications: It is aimed to change the perception of tinnitus at the cortical level through short magnetic pulses over the head. Although there are differences between the methods in these applications, the results obtained are generally considered unsuccessful.

[0011] 4- Sound Therapies: Until today, many sound therapy methods have been tried in order to change the perception of tinnitus, to get rid of it and / or to relieve patients. These include sound therapies such as TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy), Neuromonics Therapy, and deSyncra. However, research shows that there is an increase in tinnitus as a result of these sound therapies being performed blindly. It is an inadequate method alone.

[0012] 5- Complementary Medicine Practices: Within the scope of complementary and traditional medicine practices, different applications are performed, especially acupuncture. Although relief can be observed in patients in these applications, it is known that the effects of this relief on tinnitus are only instantaneous.

[0013] 6- Cognitive Behavioral Therapies: It basically includes the application of cognitive and behavioral therapy methods in order to reduce the psychological responses developed against the complaint of tinnitus. Since the general purpose of this system is not to eliminate tinnitus but to reduce the discomfort caused by tinnitus, it is seen that the discomfort does not disappear.

[0014] These methods used in the present art are often non-personal methods that do not respond to treatment, requiring long-term therapy.

[0015] Application numbered KR20230092730 A discloses "Device and Surgery Method for the Treatment of Tinnitus”. The invention discloses a tinnitus treatment device and method of operating it. A tinnitus treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a tactile device, display device, speaker, memory that is connected to and included in the memory that receives the user's motion command and provides tactile feedback to the user. At least one processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions generates content, including a cognitively mediated object corresponding to the user's tinnitus property. It is set to display on at least one of the device and speaker, to change the size and shape of the object according to the user's tactile device control, to display tactile feedback on the tactile device according to the change in the object.

[0016] In the above-mentioned application, the device and surgery method for the treatment of tinnitus are mentioned. The method used in this application belongs to surgery. However, the slightest mistake to be made in sensitive parts such as the eardrum in the ear canal during surgery will cause the person to have hearing loss. In addition, it is seen that the fact that the application includes a treatment method and surgery is also disadvantageous in terms of cost for patients suffering from this disease.

[0017] Patent application numbered US2009099474A1 discloses "System and Method for Adaptive Therapy Based on Combined Bioelectric Detection and Biosensor Feedback for Medical Disorders". The invention is a system and method for adaptive therapeutic intervention to affect real-time changes in the behavioral profile of the individual in order to facilitate the effectiveness of combined bioelectric detection and biosensor-based treatment for certain disorders. The system and method induce a transient physiological mood (e.g. increased relaxation) to affect permanent changes in the cognitive-emotional profile of the individual (e.g., reduced inner tinnitus). Sensory and mental state awareness responses are integrated into a two-way (i.e., bidirectional) feedback system that uses a dynamic interface with smartly controlled thresholds. The invention considers details of multivariate and non-linear dynamics and database templates to calculate the “state of mind” of the user more accurately. They then use this "state of mind" to guide the therapeutic and non-therapeutic stimulus intervention. Through a "combinatorial warning sequence" approach using customized sounds, the present invention creates a fine-tuned and well-controlled process. The importance of this interaction is that there is a long-term change in the cognitive-emotional profile of the individual.

[0018] In the above-mentioned application, the system and method for adaptive therapy based on combined bioelectric detection and biosensor feedback for medical disorders are mentioned. In this application, it is not aimed to treat the patient's tinnitus, but to reduce these tinnitus and relieve the patient. However, with this method, which cannot be completely solved, the patient is psychologically damaged by thinking that they are dependent on the machine by constantly applying this therapy, inviting other diseases with this psychological injury, wastes time and is constantly disadvantageous in terms of spending for this treatment.

[0019] As a result, a new technology is needed that completely eliminates the tinnitus problem of patients who can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, increases the quality of life, eliminates the problems experienced in daily life and allows them to have a healthier psychology.

[0020] Definition of the Invention:

[0021] This invention is a new technology that is personalized tinnitus rehabilitation applications with sound therapy combined with virtual reality, characterized in that it is a new technology that completely eliminates the tinnitus problem of patients, increases the quality of life, eliminates the problems experienced in daily life and allows them to have a healthier psychology.

[0022] In order to realize all the objects that will emerge from the abovementioned and detailed description below, the invention is an ear tinnitus rehabilitation aimed at eliminating these problems that reduce the living standards of patients with tinnitus without any external stimulus in daily life.

[0023] In order to eliminate or reduce the tinnitus caused by the product and method of the invention, a virtual reality environment is created that primarily matches the visual and auditory stimuli to the patients. In this virtual reality environment, the patients are treated by giving only the visual stimuli from the environment paired with the sound and the visual stimuli for the ear with tinnitus. With this therapy system, patients with tinnitus-related disorders are treated in accordance with the tinnitus frequencies.

[0024] The invention brings a new perspective to the problem of tinnitus, which has been widely observed all over the world for many years and causes high economic costs and has no definite treatment. Although the subject matter of the invention requires long-term application of alternative therapy methods, it constitutes a system with successful results in 6 weeks. It can be applied individually according to the tinnitus frequencies of the patients and most importantly, it is not an invasive method.

[0025] The invention includes a product and method. The product creates the environment in which the patient receives treatment using virtual reality. Thanks to the virtual reality goggles and a special headset connected to the central processor, the treatment of the patient is carried out. The method is related to the application of the product. Patient information (name, surname, date of birth, ear with tinnitus, other chronic diseases, anamnesis of the patient) is entered into the system manually or received automatically by the system. The frequency of the patient's tinnitus is determined, and an object (wind, koala, rabbit, bird, and squirrel) is assigned to this sound. The original sound of the object assigned to the frequency is played first and the sound is turned off and the ringing sound at the frequency defined for that object is played to the patient. 10D sound is used in the virtual reality headset in the product subject to the invention. This ensures that the patient can hear the sound in a better quality and respond quickly to the treatment and prevents loss of time.

[0026] The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the product subject to the invention will be understood more clearly with the figures given below and the detailed description with reference to these figures, and therefore the evaluation should be made by taking these figures and detailed description into consideration.

[0027] Description of the Figures:

[0028] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the features of the invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated, but it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to encompass all alternatives, modifications and equivalents which may be included in the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that the details shown have been provided to ensure the demonstration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and shaping of the methods and to provide the most useful and understandable definition of the rules and conceptual features of the invention. The figures are as follows:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic view of the product of the invention.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic view of the inventive method.

[0031] The figures that will assist the understanding of this invention are numbered as specified in the enclosed image and the corresponding designations are given below.

[0032] Description of the References:

[0033] 1. Central Processor

[0034] 2. Virtual Reality Software

[0035] 3. Virtual Reality Goggles

[0036] 4. Virtual Reality Headset

[0037] 5. Controller

[0038] 10. Entering Patient Data

[0039] 20. Determining Tinnitus Frequency Range

[0040] 30. Finding the Intensity Suitable for Tinnitus

[0041] 40. Identifying Object in the Selected Frequency Range

[0042] 50. Synchronously Playing Object Sounds to the Patient

[0043] 60. Rehabilitation Application

[0044] Description of the Invention:

[0045] The invention comprises a central processor (1) that enables the virtual reality environment to be activated, a virtual reality software (2) that creates user interfaces for determining the frequency and intensity developed specifically for the patient and processes visual, a virtual reality goggles (3) that allows the visuals created in the virtual reality software (2) to be transmitted to the patient, a virtual reality headset (4) that allows the frequency and intensity created in the virtual reality software (2) to be transmitted to the patient, a controller (5) that allows the navigation between frequencies so that the sounds coming to the virtual reality headset (4) can be selected in accordance with the patient's tinnitus. It comprises the virtual reality software (2) that transfers the frequency and intensity to the virtual reality goggles (3) and the virtual reality headset (4) and assigns it to one of the five different objects whose frequency range has been determined as a result of the determination of the patient's tinnitus frequency.

[0046] The invention comprises the steps of entering the patient's name, surname, date of birth, ear with tinnitus, other chronic diseases, anamnesis into the system manually or automatically (10), determining the tinnitus frequency range by finding the sound similar to tinnitus by navigating between the frequencies (20) by using the controller (5), finding the intensity suitable for tinnitus by increasing and decreasing the sound at the appropriate frequency found by the patient with the controller (5) (30), defining the intensity determined by the patient to the object in the selected frequency range by the virtual reality software (2) (40), playing the object sounds to the patient synchronously with the virtual reality software (2) (50), rehabilitating the patient by turning off the sound from the virtual reality headset (4) in a synchronous manner by only giving visuals (60).

[0047] Detailed Description of the Invention:

[0048] The invention consists of two parts, the product, and the method.

[0049] All the parts that make up the product are the central processor (1), virtual reality software (2), virtual reality goggles (3), virtual reality headset (4) and controller (5).

[0050] Technical features of the invention;

[0051] The central processor (1) is an operating system that will run the virtual reality software (2) and acts as the main station that allows the created software to be transferred to the virtual reality goggles (3) and the virtual reality headset (4). Virtual reality software (2) enables patients to be in different virtual reality environments. When the patient comes to rehabilitation, a personalized rehabilitation environment is provided by entering the patient's name, surname, date of birth, ear with tinnitus, other chronic diseases, anamnesis into the system manually or automatically (10). In patients with virtual reality goggles (3) and virtual reality headset (4), the frequency of tinnitus is determined first. A controller (5) is provided to the patient to ensure circulation between the frequencies transmitted from the virtual reality headset (4). After finding the most suitable frequency for tinnitus, the patient increases and decreases the sound in order to determine the intensity of the frequency. As a result of determining the appropriate frequency and intensity of the patient, this frequency range is assigned to one of the five objects defined to the system and the other four objects are assigned frequency ranges defined by the system. The frequency ranges of these objects are in the range of 125-500 Hz for wind, 500-2000 Hz for koala, 2000-4000 Hz for rabbit, 4000- 8000 Hz for bird, and 8000-20000 Hz for squirrel. By entering the patient data (10), the rehabilitation period that the system deems appropriate for the patient is calculated, and the sounds assigned to these five objects are transmitted to the patient in a way that the sound and visual are synchronized (e.g. on a raft). Then, only visual transmission will be provided to the patient in the same time interval, regardless of the time during which the sound and visual are transmitted synchronously to the patient.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The invention relates to a personalized tinnitus rehabilitation product with sound therapy combined with virtual reality, characterized in that it comprises the following: central processor (1) that enables the virtual reality environment to be activated,- virtual reality software (2) that creates user interfaces for determining the frequency and severity developed specifically for the patient and processes images,- virtual reality goggles (3) that transmit the visuals created in the virtual reality software (2) to the patient,- virtual reality headset (4) that allows the frequency and intensity created in the virtual reality software (2) to be transmitted to the patient, controller (5) that allows navigation between frequencies so that the sounds coming to the virtual reality headset (4) can be selected in accordance with the patient's tinnitus.

2. A personalized tinnitus rehabilitation product with the sound therapy combined with virtual reality according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the virtual reality software (2) that transfers the visual, frequency and intensity it creates to the virtual reality goggles (3) and virtual reality headset (4).

3. A personalized tinnitus rehabilitation product with sound therapy combined with virtual reality according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a virtual reality software (2) that assigns it to one of the five different objects whose frequency range has been determined as a result of the determination of the patient's tinnitus frequency.

4. The invention relates to a method of personalized tinnitus rehabilitation product with sound therapy combined with virtual reality, characterized in that it comprises the following process steps: entering the patient's name, surname, date of birth, ear with tinnitus, other chronic diseases, anamnesis into the system manually or automatically (10), patient determining the frequency range of tinnitus by navigating between frequencies with the remote control (5) and finding the sound that resembles tinnitus (20),- the patient finding the appropriate intensity of tinnitus by increasing and decreasing the sound at the appropriate frequency found with the remote control (5) (30),defining the intensity determined by the patient to the object in the selected frequency range with the virtual reality software (2) (40), playing the object sounds synchronously to the patient with the virtual reality software(2) (50), rehabilitation by muting the sound from the virtual reality headset (4) and giving only visuals in a synchronized manner (60).

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