Method and apparatus for tinnitus evaluation
Inventors
Henry, James A. • Silaski, Grayson • Gray, David • Porsov, Edward V. • Owens, Kimberly
Assignees
Oregon Health and Science University • US Department of Veterans Affairs
Publication Number
US-8353846-B2
Publication Date
2013-01-15
Expiration Date
2027-07-17
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Abstract
Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for evaluating tinnitus are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, a tinnitus evaluation system may include a tinnitus evaluation module configured to perform one or more tinnitus evaluation tests. A tinnitus evaluation test may comprise generating a first single-frequency sound based at least in part on a sound of a patient's tinnitus, and generating a narrow-band sound centered at the frequency of the first single-frequency sound. Tests include a hearing threshold test, a loudness match test, a pitch match test, a bandwidth match test, a minimum masking level test, and a residual inhibition test.
Core Innovation
The invention disclosed relates to methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for evaluating tinnitus through a tinnitus evaluation system that includes a tinnitus evaluation module configured to perform one or more tinnitus evaluation tests. These tests can generate a single-frequency sound based on a patient's tinnitus sound, and a narrow-band sound centered at the frequency of that single-frequency sound. The tests involve hearing threshold assessment, loudness matching, pitch matching, bandwidth matching, minimum masking level, and residual inhibition tests.
The problem addressed stems from the absence of standard test protocols for clinical assessment of tinnitus, which complicates repeated testing and comparison between patients, especially when multiple clinicians are involved. Current assessments like pitch and loudness matching often fail to capture tinnitus manifestations presenting as a range of tones or noise-like sounds. Furthermore, variability in testing protocols impedes quantification and monitoring of tinnitus severity and treatment efficacy.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes several independent claims covering apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and method aspects of tinnitus evaluation. Each independent claim focuses on key inventive features related to the generation of tinnitus-related sounds and the execution of tinnitus evaluation tests.
Tinnitus evaluation apparatus with stimulus generator and user interface
An apparatus comprising at least one stimulus generator that generates a single-frequency sound based on a patient's tinnitus pitch and a first multi-frequency sound centered at that frequency, along with a user interface receiving patient input indicating which sound more closely resembles their tinnitus.
Tinnitus evaluation system with computing apparatus controlling sound generation and test execution
A system including a tinnitus evaluation module that generates sounds and a computing apparatus configured to command the module to output single-frequency and multi-frequency sounds based on the patient's tinnitus pitch, and to determine which sound better matches the tinnitus based on patient input. The system can perform multiple tinnitus tests, including hearing threshold, loudness match, pitch match, bandwidth match, minimum masking level, and residual inhibition.
Article of manufacture with programming instructions enabling tinnitus tests
A non-transitory storage medium storing programming instructions that program a computing apparatus to cause a tinnitus evaluation module to output single-frequency and multi-frequency sounds based on the patient's tinnitus pitch, to determine similarity based on patient input, and to perform various tinnitus evaluation tests as described.
Method for evaluating tinnitus using single-frequency and multi-frequency sounds and patient input
A method of generating a single-frequency sound and a multi-frequency sound centered at that frequency based on a patient's tinnitus pitch, determining which sound is more similar to the patient's tinnitus from patient input, and performing bandwidth match along with other tests such as hearing threshold, loudness match, pitch match, minimum masking level, and residual inhibition.
The independent claims cover hardware apparatus, broader systems integrating computing control, software instructions on storage media, and methods for evaluating tinnitus that employ sound generation tailored to a patient's tinnitus and patient feedback to conduct various standardized tests.
Stated Advantages
Provides a standardized, accurate, reliable, and repeatable protocol for tinnitus evaluation.
Enables assessment of tinnitus characteristics including pitch, loudness, and bandwidth more precisely, accommodating noise-like tinnitus sounds rather than just pure tones.
Facilitates administration by multiple clinicians while minimizing variability to permit meaningful comparison across patients and over time.
Allows automated and guided testing that may reduce clinician workload and result in rapid evaluation.
Documented Applications
Clinical assessment and quantification of patients' tinnitus sounds.
Monitoring changes in tinnitus manifestation to evaluate treatment efficacy.
Performing tinnitus evaluation tests such as hearing threshold test, loudness match test, pitch match test, bandwidth match test, minimum masking level test, and residual inhibition test.
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