Adaptive Tinnitus Therapy Sound Tracking for Personalized Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tinnitus treatment methods using masking algorithms only partially modify the spectral qualities of tinnitus sounds, failing to completely mask individual patients' tinnitus and do not adapt to the evolution of the condition over time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tinnitus therapy that involves generating a customized tinnitus therapy sound using pre-defined templates such as white noise, pink noise, pure tone, and broad band noise, which can be adjusted by healthcare professionals and patients to better match the patient's perceived tinnitus, and tracking the therapy over time to adjust the sound parameters and volume accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a pre-determined masking algorithm is used to modify tinnitus sound, then the treatment can be automated and standardized, but the spectral qualities of tinnitus sound are only partially modified and cannot completely mask individual patient's tinnitus
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes multiple sound parameters including spectral qualities, volume levels, and frequency characteristics to precisely match the patient's specific tinnitus profile. This allows complete masking of individual tinnitus sounds while maintaining automated treatment delivery through algorithmic parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system transitions from static pre-determined algorithms to dynamic adaptive algorithms that continuously adjust sound parameters based on patient feedback, usage data, and tracked tinnitus evolution. This enables the system to maintain high automation while achieving complete spectral quality modification for individual patients.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed masking algorithm is used, then the treatment protocol is simple and easy to implement, but the system cannot adapt to the evolution of patient's tinnitus over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where patient usage data, volume adjustments, and therapy responses are tracked and fed back into the algorithm. This enables automatic adaptation to tinnitus evolution over time while maintaining ease of operation through automated adjustments without requiring complex manual reconfiguration by practitioners.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of treatment parameters based on tracked data and algorithmic analysis, eliminating the need for manual intervention to adapt to changing tinnitus conditions. This maintains operational simplicity while achieving continuous adaptation to patient needs.
3Device complexity
If broad band noise is used as the only masking sound, then the treatment algorithm is simple, but individual patient's tinnitus sound cannot be completely masked
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses composite sound structures combining multiple types of noise (broad band noise, pink noise, white noise) and tonal elements in specific spectral configurations. This composite approach maintains algorithmic simplicity while achieving complete masking of individual tinnitus sounds through coordinated multi-component sound synthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking sound is segmented into multiple spectral components and frequency bands that can be independently adjusted and optimized. This segmentation allows the algorithm to maintain simplicity while effectively targeting and masking the specific spectral characteristics of each patient's tinnitus through coordinated multi-component delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
The treatment of tinnitus may include a tinnitus therapy including generating a tinnitus therapy sound that is similar to a patient's perceived tinnitus sound. In one example, a method for tinnitus therapy may include tracking a tinnitus therapy over a duration, the tinnitus therapy including a tinnitus therapy sound matching a patient's perceived tinnitus played over the duration and presenting each of a volume evolution of the tinnitus therapy sound and usage data of the tinnitus therapy over the duration.