Computing Device Auditory Hallucination Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with psychotic illnesses, particularly those experiencing auditory hallucinations, face challenges in distinguishing between hallucinations and ambient sounds, which can impede community functioning and pose risks to themselves and others.
Innovation Solution
A computing device-based method that monitors user perceptions and ambient sounds using microphones, applying a threshold to differentiate between hallucinations and actual sounds, and provides feedback and alerts to users and healthcare professionals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medication is used to treat auditory hallucinations, then symptom severity may be reduced, but the patient cannot self-diagnose or distinguish between hallucinations and ambient sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device with microphone and processor as an intermediary between the patient and the diagnosis process. The device objectively monitors ambient sounds and compares them against reported hallucinations, providing an external reference that helps patients distinguish between real and perceived sounds without requiring complex self-assessment skills
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to patients by recording whether their perceptions match objective measurements. The processor compares ambient sound levels with patient reports and provides information about accuracy, creating a learning loop that improves patient self-assessment capability over time while maintaining objective measurement reliability
2Reliability
If patients are monitored continuously to track hallucination episodes, then treatment effectiveness can be improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device uses its existing microphone and processor to perform monitoring functions, leveraging resources already present in the device. The system self-calibrates by using the device's own ambient sound capture capabilities without requiring separate specialized monitoring equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable treatment tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device performs multiple functions: it serves as both a communication device for patients and a monitoring device for treatment tracking. The microphone and processor are used for both general device operations and specific hallucination monitoring, eliminating the need for dedicated complex monitoring hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method assists individuals in accurately distinguishing between auditory hallucinations and ambient sounds, improving their ability to manage symptoms and reducing the risk of adverse outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
uses at least one microphone on the computing device to monitor ambient sounds
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
A tool is described for supporting an individual suffering from a mental condition or disorder characterized by auditory hallucination. The tool assists in training the individual to distinguish between an acute auditory hallucinatory episode and ambient sounds. The tool monitors for a deliberate overt activation action by a user, where the activation action represents an indication that the user is hearing sounds. The activation action causes the tool to receive a perception indication from the user. The perception indication is either an indication that the user perceives that they are hearing actual sounds, or an indication that the user perceives that they are experiencing an auditory hallucination. A microphone monitors ambient sounds, which are tested against a threshold to determine and whether the perception indication was correct. A report on the correctness of the perception indications may be provided to the user.