METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND REHABILITATION OF TINNITUS PATIENTS

摘要

The invention provides a method for developing a new type of interactive information, diagnostic and rehabilitation services for people suffering from noise in the ear (tinnitus) and excessive sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis). The new type of service uses the possibilities offered by state-of-the-art computer technology and telecommunications. In particular, a multimedia computer software using the concept covered by the invention, installed locally or on a network computer, makes screening tests of ear noise possible. It uses an electronic questionnaire and presents examples of sounds that resemble ear noise to the subject. Thanks to its unique method of fitting masking sounds to the patient's needs, tinnitus patients can be rehabilitated using the masking or habituation method. The sounds selected to combat the patient's ear noise can be played back according to a shedule set up by the computer programme or downloaded into a miniaturised sound file player with earphones, worn by the patient. Alternatively, the sounds can be in the form of the high frequency dither noise generated in an external ultrasound generator and transmitted to the patient's ear using a miniature vibrational ultrasound probe.