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EP0527742A1 - Tinnitus masking device. - Google Patents

Tinnitus masking device.

Info

Publication number
EP0527742A1
EP0527742A1 EP91905060A EP91905060A EP0527742A1 EP 0527742 A1 EP0527742 A1 EP 0527742A1 EP 91905060 A EP91905060 A EP 91905060A EP 91905060 A EP91905060 A EP 91905060A EP 0527742 A1 EP0527742 A1 EP 0527742A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
masking device
signal
tinnitus masking
tinnitus
frequency
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP91905060A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0527742B1 (en
Inventor
Soren Erik Westermann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Topholm and Westermann ApS
Original Assignee
Topholm and Westermann ApS
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Publication date
Application filed by Topholm and Westermann ApS filed Critical Topholm and Westermann ApS
Publication of EP0527742A1 publication Critical patent/EP0527742A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0527742B1 publication Critical patent/EP0527742B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
    • H04R25/502—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using analog signal processing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/75—Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a tinnitus masking device with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier part 1 and one or two electroacoustic transducers for converting electrical into acoustic signals and with a voltage source.
  • Tinnitus stands for a wide range of symptoms that all have to do with hearing function, in particular with the middle ear, the organ of the Corti, the nerve cells and the nerve strands, and the nerve centers that lead from the organ of the Corti to the brain.
  • the reason why the patient believes that he is hearing a tone of a certain frequency is evidently to be seen in the fact that the nerve that would normally transmit a really audible tone of this frequency to the brain is sporadic for some reason or is or is constantly excited and remains in this excitation state for a longer or shorter period. This could be caused, for example, by an electromechanical disturbance or such a "misfire" in this nerve cell or in a previous nerve cell.
  • a tinnitus masking device is an instrument worn on the head or on the body and on the head, for example in the manner of a hearing aid which generates a type of acoustic signal, e.g. a sinusoidal sound, narrowband noise, broadband noise or white noise, which is either transmitted to the patient via headphones or via a miniature receiver which is built into a hearing aid housing.
  • a type of acoustic signal e.g. a sinusoidal sound, narrowband noise, broadband noise or white noise
  • This can be a BTE device, for example.
  • a standard hearing aid has been found useful because the hearing aid raises the overall background noise level, allowing the patient to distinguish it from his tinnitus.
  • the present invention relates only to such tinnitus which is perceived as a tone. In these cases it is normally possible to identify a specific, often narrow or narrow frequency range within which the frequency of the tinnitus lies.
  • the object on which the invention is based is therefore to create a tinnitus masking device of the type mentioned at the outset which, on the basis of tests carried out, appears to be particularly suitable for the treatment of the special tinnitus mentioned above, which is due to the avoiding auditory impression of one in the hearing frequency range notes or mixed sounds.
  • the invention is based on two findings:
  • the residual suppression is only recognized if the masking signal precisely matches the tinnitus signal in terms of frequency content.
  • the mask signal must be stronger.
  • the invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of a circuit example which represents only the principle for the signal generator for the sinusoidal sound signal used in the invention with reference to the attached drawing.
  • the tinnitus masking device according to the invention is to be installed, for example, in a hearing device, such as a BTE device, which contains one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier and at least one electromechanical converter and a voltage source.
  • the signal generator 1 generates a continuously repeating, sinusoidal, pure sound signal that slowly sweeps over the hearing frequency range and is supplied to an electroacoustic transducer 3 via a controllable amplifier 2.
  • the Tonsigna Igenerator 1 consists of a voltage-controlled oscillator 5 that can be controlled via the variable output voltage of a potentiometer 4.
  • the frequency of the signal generated by the oscillator 5 is controlled with the voltage tapped at the potentiometer 4.
  • This signal determines the repetition frequency of the sound signal and is typically in the range from 0.1 to 0.2 Hertz.
  • the output signal of the oscillator 5 should not contain a DC component.
  • This output signal passes through a potentiometer 6 to a summing amplifier consisting of resistors 8a and 8b and an operational amplifier 9 to a second voltage-controlled oscillator 10.
  • the sum amplifier 8a, 8b, 9 is also fed by the output voltage of a further potentiometer 7.
  • the output signal of the oscillator 10 arrives once at the output amplifier 2, which here, in a highly simplified manner, consists of a potentiometer 12 and an amplifier 13, and also at a connection 11 for a frequency counter.
  • the electro-acoustic transducer 3 is connected to the output of the amplifier 1 3.
  • the potentiometer 6 is used for setting the tone frequency range swept by the audio frequency generator, and the potentiometer 7 is used for input Position of the center frequency of the swept audio frequency range.
  • the potentiometer 6 is set so that the output voltage of the oscillator 5 is completely damped. Then the potentiometer 7 in conjunction with an external frequency counter connected to the terminal 11 for determining an upper and a lower limit frequency for the tinnitus of the patient, i.e. the audible tone. Then the potentiometer 7 is set so that the output frequency of the oscillator 10 lies in the middle between the upper and lower limit frequency.
  • a sound signal is slowly generated which continuously sweeps over the range between the lower and the upper limit frequency.
  • the repetition frequency can be adjusted with the potentiometer 4.
  • the patient can then adjust the volume himself using the potentiometer 12.
  • the patient can also switch the replacement generator of the device, if present, on or off.
  • the repetition frequency is low enough. If the repetition frequency is too high, e.g. higher than about 10 to 20 Hz, then the sound signal is no longer perceived as a sound but as a much more complex signal to which the patient can no longer assign his tinnitus. It is much more important that tinnitus and sound signal are perceived as equivalent.
  • this tinnitus masking device is preferred should only be used under instruction, better still under the supervision of an experienced hearing aid acoustician, or even better a doctor in an ENT clinic.
  • the invention thus created a new type of tinnitus masking device with which a tinnitus consisting of a pure tone can be suppressed temporarily or permanently with great probability of success.

Landscapes

  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)
  • Mechanical Treatment Of Semiconductor (AREA)
  • Television Systems (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP91/00390 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 31, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 31, 1992 PCT Filed Mar. 2, 1991 PCT Pub. No. WO91/17638 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 14, 1991.The invention relates to a tinnitus masker with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier (2), one or two electroacoustic transducers (3) for conversion of electrical signals into acoustic signals and a voltage source, whereby at least one of the signal generators (1) generates a continuously repeated, sinusoidal pure tone signal which slowly moves through the audio frequency range and whose cycle duration can be adjusted between 0.1 and 1000 seconds.

Description

Tinnitus-Mαskiergerüt Tinnitus-Mαskiergerüt
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Tinnitus-Mαskiergerät mit einem oder mehreren Signalgeneratoren, einem regelbaren Verstärkertei l und einem oder zwei elektroakustischen Wandlern zum Umwandeln elektrischer in akustische Signale sowie mit einer Spannungsquelle .The invention relates to a tinnitus masking device with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier part 1 and one or two electroacoustic transducers for converting electrical into acoustic signals and with a voltage source.
Derartige Geräte sind an sich bereits bekannt.Such devices are already known per se.
Mehr als die Hälfte der Weltbevölkerung hat in der einen oder anderen Form mit Tinnitus zu tun . Dabei handelt es sich um eine im Gehörsystem auftretende Erscheinung, über deren Ursachen noch recht wenig Klarheit herrscht. Dabei kann es sich um einen schwachen Ton, der nur einige Male im Jahr auftritt, bis zu einem kontinuierl ich hörbaren lauten Ge¬ räusch, Rauschen, Summen oder sogar um einen sehr lauten Ton handeln, der niemals unterbrochen wird.More than half of the world's population has to deal with tinnitus in one form or another. It is a phenomenon that occurs in the auditory system, the causes of which are still relatively unclear. This can be a weak tone that occurs only a few times a year, up to a continuously audible loud noise, noise, buzzing or even a very loud tone that is never interrupted.
Tinnitus steht für einen weiten Bereich von Erscheinungen, die al le mit der Gehörfunktion zu tun haben, insbesondere mit dem Mittelohr, dem Organ der Corti, den Nervenzel len und den Nervensträngen, und den Nervenzentren, die vom Organ der Corti nach dem Gehirn führen .Tinnitus stands for a wide range of symptoms that all have to do with hearing function, in particular with the middle ear, the organ of the Corti, the nerve cells and the nerve strands, and the nerve centers that lead from the organ of the Corti to the brain.
Die wirklichen Ursachen für Tinnitus sind noch nicht so recht erkannt, und es ist schwierig, sie genau zu lokalisieren .The real causes of tinnitus are not yet fully understood and it is difficult to pinpoint them.
Kürzlich gewonnene Erk nntnisse haben gezeigt, daß die Nervenzentren zwischen dem Organ der Corti und dem Gehirn eine derart komplexe Signal Verarbeitung bewirken, daß man in der obersten Ebene des achten Gehirnnervs eine einzelne Nervenzel le ausmachen kann, die nur dann erregt wird, wenn durch die Nerveπzentren ein ganz bestimmter Laut identifiziert wird . Dieser Laut kann z .B . ganz spezifisch ein Phonem oder ein Ton einer ganz bestimmten Frequenz sein . Mit anderen Worten ausgedrückt, scheint es sich so zu verhalten, daß einzelne oder alle Ner¬ venzel len dieser obersten Ebene die Aufgabe haben, das Gehirn darüber zu informieren, daß ein bestimmter Laut oder Ton oder ein komplexes Ton- oder Lautgemisch aufgetreten ist. Da das menschliche Ohr eine hoch entwickelte Fähigkeit aufweist. Töne, Laute oder Geräusche unter¬ schiedlicher Frequenzen oder Frequenzgemische zu unterscheiden, ist es durchaus möglich, daß eine sehr große Anzahl dieser Nerven zum Erken¬ nen aller derjenigen Töne bestimmt ist, die den hörbaren Frequenzbereich umfassen.Recent knowledge has shown that the nerve centers between the organ of the Corti and the brain are so complex Signal processing means that a single nerve cell can be identified in the uppermost level of the eighth brain nerve, which is only excited when a very specific sound is identified by the nerve centers. This sound can e.g. specifically a phoneme or a tone of a specific frequency. In other words, it seems to be the case that individual or all nerves of this highest level have the task of informing the brain that a certain sound or tone or a complex sound or sound mixture has occurred. Because the human ear has a sophisticated ability. To distinguish tones, sounds or noises of different frequencies or frequency mixtures, it is quite possible that a very large number of these nerves is intended to recognize all of those tones which encompass the audible frequency range.
Das kann einer der Gründe dafür sein, daß Tinnitus sehr häufig als ein Ton wahrgenommen wird .This can be one of the reasons why tinnitus is very often perceived as a tone.
Mit anderen Worten ausgedrückt, der Grund dafür, daß der Patient einen Ton einer bestimmten Frequenz zu hören glaubt, ist offenbar darin zu sehen, daß gerade derjenige Nerv, der normalehveise einen wirklich hörbaren Ton dieser Frequenz dem Gehirn übermitteln würde, aus irgendwelchen Gründen sporadisch oder ständig angeregt ist oder wird und länger oder kürzer andau¬ ernd in diesem Anregungszustand verbleibt. Dies könnte beispielsweise durch eine elektromechanϊsche Störung oder eine derartige "Fehlzündung" in dieser Nervenzelle oder einer vorhergehenden Nervenzelle verursacht sein .In other words, the reason why the patient believes that he is hearing a tone of a certain frequency is evidently to be seen in the fact that the nerve that would normally transmit a really audible tone of this frequency to the brain is sporadic for some reason or is or is constantly excited and remains in this excitation state for a longer or shorter period. This could be caused, for example, by an electromechanical disturbance or such a "misfire" in this nerve cell or in a previous nerve cell.
Früher durchgeführte Versuche haben gezeigt, daß es in einigen Fäl len möglich war, Tinnitus für eine gewisse Zeit oder sogar permanent dadurch zu unterdrücken, daß man den Patienten für kürzere oder längere Zeitin¬ tervalle verschiedenen buten und / oder Tönen unterschiedlicher Art und mit unterschiedlichem Schal ldruck aussetzte . Meistens wurden reine Sinus¬ ttöönnee eennttwweeddeerr mmiitt hhoohheenn SScchhaalllldrücken von kurzer Dauer/als sogenannte Tinnitus-Maskierer verwendet.Previous attempts have shown that there are len in some cases it was possible to suppress tinnitus for a certain time or even permanently by exposing the patient to different butes and / or tones of different types and with different sound pressure for shorter or longer time intervals. In most cases, pure sinus tones were used with high, short-term pressures of short duration / as so-called tinnitus maskers.
Ein Tinnitus-Maskiergerät ist ein am Kopf oder am Körper und am Kopf getragenes Instrument, etwa in der Art eines Hörgerätes, das eine Art akustisches Signal erzeugt, z .B . einen sinusförmigen Ton, schmalbandiges Rauschen, breitbandiges Rauschen oder weißes Rauschen, das dem Patienten entwder über einen Kopfhörer oder über einen Miniatur-Empfänger vermittelt wird, der in ein Hörgerätegehäuse eingebaut ist. Dies kann bei speis weise ein HdO-Gerät sein .A tinnitus masking device is an instrument worn on the head or on the body and on the head, for example in the manner of a hearing aid which generates a type of acoustic signal, e.g. a sinusoidal sound, narrowband noise, broadband noise or white noise, which is either transmitted to the patient via headphones or via a miniature receiver which is built into a hearing aid housing. This can be a BTE device, for example.
In anderen Fällen hat man ein Standard-Hörgerät als nützlich empfunden, da das Hörgerät den gesamten Hintergrund-Geräuschpegel anhebt und es so dem Patienten ermöglicht, diesen von seinem Tinnitus zu unterscheiden .In other cases, a standard hearing aid has been found useful because the hearing aid raises the overall background noise level, allowing the patient to distinguish it from his tinnitus.
Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich nur auf einen solchen Tinnitus, der als ein Ton wahrgenommen wird . In diesen Fällen ist es normalerweise mög¬ lich, einen bestimmten, oft engen oder schmalen Frequenzbereich zu iden¬ tifizieren, innerhalb dessen die Frequenz des Tinnitus liegt .The present invention relates only to such tinnitus which is perceived as a tone. In these cases it is normally possible to identify a specific, often narrow or narrow frequency range within which the frequency of the tinnitus lies.
Mit den oben angegebenen Verfahren und Techniken war selbst dies noch ganz erheblich mit Schwierigkeiten für den Patienten verbunden .With the methods and techniques outlined above, even this was still very difficult for the patient.
Wenn dagegen ein Tongenerator wiederholt und langsam diesen Frequenzbe¬ reich überstreicht, dann ist möglicherweise zu erwarten, daß die wahre Tinnitus-Frequenz tatsächlich und wiederholt getroffen wird, obgleich der Patient nicht genau weiß, wann das der Fal l ist.If, on the other hand, a tone generator repeats this slowly and slowly over this frequency range, then it can possibly be expected that the true one Tinnitus frequency is actually and repeatedly hit, although the patient does not know exactly when this is the case.
Die der Erfindung zugrundeliegende Aufgabe besteht also darin, ein Tinni¬ tus-Maskiergerät der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, das aufgrund durchgeführter Versuche sich besonders für die Behandlung des speziellen oben erwähnten Tinnitus zu eignen scheint, der sich durch den vermeind liehen Höreindruck eines im Hörfrequenzbereich liegenden Tones oder Tongemisches bemerkbar macht.The object on which the invention is based is therefore to create a tinnitus masking device of the type mentioned at the outset which, on the basis of tests carried out, appears to be particularly suitable for the treatment of the special tinnitus mentioned above, which is due to the avoiding auditory impression of one in the hearing frequency range notes or mixed sounds.
Die Erfindung geht dabei von zwei Erkenntnissen aus:The invention is based on two findings:
1 . Die Restunterdrückung wird nur dann erkannt, wenn das maskierende Signal exakt das Tinnitus-Signal qualitativ nach Frequenzinhalt trifft. Dabei muß das Maskiersignal stärker sein .1 . The residual suppression is only recognized if the masking signal precisely matches the tinnitus signal in terms of frequency content. The mask signal must be stronger.
2. Normalerweise ist es für einen Patienten außerordentlich schwierig, die Qualität eines Tinnitus exakt abzuschätzen und zu beschreiben .2. It is usually extremely difficult for a patient to accurately estimate and describe the quality of a tinnitus.
Die der Erfindung zugrundel iegende Aufgabe wird primär durch die Merk ¬ male des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst . Weitere Merkmale der Erfindung sind den weiteren Patentansprüchen zu entnehmen .The object on which the invention is based is primarily achieved by the features of claim 1. Further features of the invention can be found in the further claims.
Die Erfindung wird nunmehr anhand eines nur das Prinzip darstellenden Schaltungsbeispiels für den bei der Erfindung verwendeten Signalgenerator für das sinusförmige Tonsignal anhand der beigefügten Zeichnung näher er¬ läutert . Das Tinnitus-Maskiergerät gemäß der Erfindung soll beispielsweise in ein Hörgerät, etwa ein HdO-Gerät eingebaut sein, das einen oder mehrere Signalgeneratoren, einen regelbaren Verstärker und mindestens einen elektromechanischen Wandler und eine Spannungsquelle enthält .The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of a circuit example which represents only the principle for the signal generator for the sinusoidal sound signal used in the invention with reference to the attached drawing. The tinnitus masking device according to the invention is to be installed, for example, in a hearing device, such as a BTE device, which contains one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier and at least one electromechanical converter and a voltage source.
Der Signalgenerator 1 erzeugt ein kontinuierlich sich wiederholendes, den Hörfrequenzbereich langsam überstreichendes sinusförmiges reines Tonsignal, das über einen regelbaren Verstärker 2 einem elektroakustischen Wandler 3 zugeführt wird .The signal generator 1 generates a continuously repeating, sinusoidal, pure sound signal that slowly sweeps over the hearing frequency range and is supplied to an electroacoustic transducer 3 via a controllable amplifier 2.
Der Tonsigna Igenerator 1 besteht im Prinzip aus einem über die variable Ausgangsspannung eines Potentiometers 4 steuerbaren spannungsgesteuerten Oszillator 5. D .h. mit der am Potentiometer 4 abgegriffenen Spannung wird die Frequenz des vom Oszillator 5 erzeugten Signals gesteuert. Dieses Signal bestimmt die Wiederholυngsfrequenz des Tonsignals und liegt typischer¬ weise im Bereich von 0, 1 bis 0, 2 Hertz. Das Ausgangssignal des Oszillators 5 sol lte keine Gleichstromkomponente enthalten . Dieses Ausgangssignal gelangt übep ein Potentiometer 6 an einen aus den Widerständen 8a und 8b sowie einem Operationsverstärker 9 bestehenden Summenversfärker an einen zweiten spannungsgesteuerten Oszillator 10 . Der Summenverstärker 8a, 8b, 9 wird außerdem durch die Ausgangsspannung eines weiteren Potentiometers 7 gespeist . Das Ausgangssignal des Oszil lators 10 gelangt einmal an den Aus¬ gangsverstärker 2, der hier,stark vereinfacht, aus einem Potentiometer 12 und einem Verstärker 13 besteht, und außerdem an einen Anschluß 1 1 für einen Frequenzzähler. Am Ausgang des Verstärkers 1 3 ist der elektroakustische Wandler 3 angeschlossen .In principle, the Tonsigna Igenerator 1 consists of a voltage-controlled oscillator 5 that can be controlled via the variable output voltage of a potentiometer 4. the frequency of the signal generated by the oscillator 5 is controlled with the voltage tapped at the potentiometer 4. This signal determines the repetition frequency of the sound signal and is typically in the range from 0.1 to 0.2 Hertz. The output signal of the oscillator 5 should not contain a DC component. This output signal passes through a potentiometer 6 to a summing amplifier consisting of resistors 8a and 8b and an operational amplifier 9 to a second voltage-controlled oscillator 10. The sum amplifier 8a, 8b, 9 is also fed by the output voltage of a further potentiometer 7. The output signal of the oscillator 10 arrives once at the output amplifier 2, which here, in a highly simplified manner, consists of a potentiometer 12 and an amplifier 13, and also at a connection 11 for a frequency counter. The electro-acoustic transducer 3 is connected to the output of the amplifier 1 3.
Das Potentiometer 6 dient der Einstel lung des von dem Tonfrequenzgenerator überstrichenen Tonfrequenzbereichs, und das Potentiometer 7 dient der Ein- Stel lung der Mittenfrequenz des überstrichenen Tonfrequenzbereiches .The potentiometer 6 is used for setting the tone frequency range swept by the audio frequency generator, and the potentiometer 7 is used for input Position of the center frequency of the swept audio frequency range.
Für einen Einsatz dieses Signalgenerators in einem Tinnitus-Maskiergerät geht man dabei wie folgt vor:To use this signal generator in a tinnitus masking device, proceed as follows:
Zuerst wird das Potentiometer 6 so eingestel lt, daß die Ausgangsspannung des Oszil lators 5 vollständig gedämpft wird. Dann wird das Potentiometer 7 in Verbindung mit einem am Anschluß 1 1 angeschlossenen externen Fre¬ quenzzähler zum Ermitteln einer oberen und einer unteren Grenzfrequenz für den Tinnitus des Patienten, d.h . den hörbaren Ton, benutzt . Dann wird das Potentiometer 7 so eingestellt, daß die Ausgangsfrequenz des Oszillators 10 in der Mitte zwischen der oberen und unteren Grenzfrequenz liegt. Durch Einstel len der Potentiometer 6 und 7 wird nunmehr ein konti¬ nuierlich den Bereich zwischen unterer und oberer Grenzfrequenz langsam überstreichendes Tonsignal erzeugt . Die Wiederholungsfrequenz kann mit dem Potentiometer 4 eingeregelt werden . Der Patient kann dann mit dem Potentiometer 12 die Lautstärke selbst einstellen .First, the potentiometer 6 is set so that the output voltage of the oscillator 5 is completely damped. Then the potentiometer 7 in conjunction with an external frequency counter connected to the terminal 11 for determining an upper and a lower limit frequency for the tinnitus of the patient, i.e. the audible tone. Then the potentiometer 7 is set so that the output frequency of the oscillator 10 lies in the middle between the upper and lower limit frequency. By adjusting the potentiometers 6 and 7, a sound signal is slowly generated which continuously sweeps over the range between the lower and the upper limit frequency. The repetition frequency can be adjusted with the potentiometer 4. The patient can then adjust the volume himself using the potentiometer 12.
Der Patient kann ferner auch den ggf. vorhandenen ttauschgenerator des Gerätes zu- oder abschalten .The patient can also switch the replacement generator of the device, if present, on or off.
Wesentlich ist nur, daß die Wiederholungsfrequenz niedrig genug ist. Ist die Wiederholungsfrequenz zu hoch, z.B . höher als etwa 10 bis 20 Hz, dann wird das Tonsignal nicht mehr als Ton sondern als ein viel komplexeres Signal empfunden, dem der Patient seinen Tinnitus nicht mehr zuzuordnen vermag . Es kommt also vielmehr darauf an, daß Tinnitus und Tonsignal als gleichwertig empfunden werden .It is only important that the repetition frequency is low enough. If the repetition frequency is too high, e.g. higher than about 10 to 20 Hz, then the sound signal is no longer perceived as a sound but as a much more complex signal to which the patient can no longer assign his tinnitus. It is much more important that tinnitus and sound signal are perceived as equivalent.
Es. muß darauf hingewiesen werden, daß dieses Tinnitus-Maskiergerät Vorzugs- weise nur unter Anleitung, besser noch unter Aufsicht eines erfahrenen Hörgeräteakustikers, noch besser eines Arztes in einer H NO-Klinik benutzt werden sol lte .It. it must be pointed out that this tinnitus masking device is preferred should only be used under instruction, better still under the supervision of an experienced hearing aid acoustician, or even better a doctor in an ENT clinic.
Selbstverständlich stel lt die hier gezeigte und beschriebene Prinzipschal¬ tung nur eine von vielen Möglichkeiten zum Aufbau eines solchen Tonge¬ nerators dar, der in den wohl meisten Fällen als eine hochintegrierte Schaltung mit einer um ein vielfaches höheren Anzahl von Komponenten bestehen wird .Of course, the basic circuit shown and described here represents only one of many possibilities for the construction of such a tone generator, which in most cases will exist as a highly integrated circuit with a much higher number of components.
Durch die Erfindung wurde somit ein neuartiges Tinnitus-Maskiergerät geschaffen, mit dem ein aus einem reinen Ton bestehender Tinnitus mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit auf einen Erfolg zeitweilig oder dauernd unter¬ drückt werden kann . The invention thus created a new type of tinnitus masking device with which a tinnitus consisting of a pure tone can be suppressed temporarily or permanently with great probability of success.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E PATENT CLAIMS
1 . Tinnitus-Mαskiergerät mit einem oder mehreren Signalgeneratoren, einem regelbaren Verstärker (2) und einem oder zwei elektroakusti¬ schen Wandlern (3) zum Umwandeln elektrischer in akustische Signale sowie mit einer Spannungsquelle, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß min¬ destens einer der Signalgeneratoren (1 ) ein sich kontinuierlich wieder¬ holendes, den Hörfrequenzbereich langsam überstreichendes sinus¬ förmiges reines Tonsignal erzeugt.1 . Tinnitus masking device with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier (2) and one or two electroacoustic transducers (3) for converting electrical into acoustic signals and with a voltage source, characterized in that at least one of the signal generators (1) generates a continuously repeating sinusoidal pure audio signal that slowly sweeps over the hearing frequency range.
2. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zyklusdauer des den Hörfrequenzbereich überstreichenden durch einen Sinus-Tongenerator (10) erzeugten Tones zwischen 0, 1 und 1000 sec . anstellbar ist.2. Tinnitus masking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cycle duration of the sound frequency range sweeping by a sine tone generator (10) generated between 0, 1 and 1000 sec. is employable.
3. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zyklusdauer des den Hörfrequenzbereich überstreichenden durch einen Sinus-Tongenerator erzeugten Tones in dem Bereich zwischen 0, 1 und 1 000 sec . fest eingestellt ist.3. Tinnitus masking device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cycle duration of the tone crossing the hearing frequency range generated by a sine tone generator in the range between 0, 1 and 1 000 sec. is fixed.
4. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die obere und die untere Grenzfrequenz des durch den Sinus- Tongenerator (1 0) überstrichenen Frequenzbereiches einstel lbar ist.4. tinnitus masking device according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper and the lower limit frequency of the swept by the sine tone generator (1 0) swept frequency range is settable.
5. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittenfrequenz zwischen oberer und unterer Grenzfrequenz des durch den Sinus-Tongenerator (10) überstrichenen Frequenzberei¬ ches einstellbar ist.5. tinnitus masking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the center frequency between the upper and lower limit frequency of the swept by the sine tone generator (10) swept frequency ranges is adjustable.
6. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach einem der Anspräche 1 bis 5 mit einem einstel lbaren Ausgangsverstärker (2; 12, 13) und mindestens einem elektroakustischen Wandler, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Signalgenerator (1) zur Erzeugung des sich kontinuierlich wie¬ derholenden, den Hoerfrequenzbereich langsam überstreichenden sinusförmigen reinen Tonsignals einen ersten spannungsgesteuerten Oszil lator (5) enthält, dessen Ausgangssignal über ein erstes Poten¬ tiometer, zusammen mit dem Ausgangssignal eines zweiten Potentio¬ meters (7) über einen Summenverstärker (8a, 8b, 9) einen zweiten spannungsgesteuerten Oszillator (10) steuert, dessen Ausgangsignal dem variablen Ausgangsverstärker (2; 12, 13) und damit dem Wandler (3) zuführbar ist .6. tinnitus masking device according to one of claims 1 to 5 with an adjustable output amplifier (2; 12, 13) and at least one Electroacoustic transducer, characterized in that the signal generator (1) contains a first voltage-controlled oscillator (5), the output signal of which is sent via a first potentiometer, together with the Output signal of a second potentiometer (7) controls a second voltage-controlled oscillator (10) via a sum amplifier (8a, 8b, 9), the output signal of which can be fed to the variable output amplifier (2; 12, 13) and thus to the converter (3).
7. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der erste spannungsgesteuerte Oszillator (5) durch die Aus¬ gangsspannung eines dritten Potentiometers (4) steuerbar ist .7. Tinnitus masking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first voltage-controlled oscillator (5) can be controlled by the output voltage of a third potentiometer (4).
8 . Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 7 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß am Ausgang des zweiten spannungsgesteuerten Oszil lators ein weiterer Ausgang (11) für einen Frequenzzähler vorgesehen ist.8th . Tinnitus masking device according to Claim 7, characterized in that a further output (11) for a frequency counter is provided at the output of the second voltage-controlled oscillator.
9. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 1 bis8„ dadurch gekennzeich¬ net, daß ein weiterer Signalgenerator vorgesehen ist, der ein Rauschsignal erzeugt, das dem sinusförmigen den Hörfrequenzbe¬ reich kontinuierlich überstreichenden Tonsignal überlagert werden kann .9. Tinnitus masking device according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a further signal generator is provided which generates a noise signal which can be superimposed on the sinusoidal sound signal continuously sweeping over the hearing frequency range.
10.- Tinnitus-Maskierger ät nach Anspruch 1 und 9,, dadurch gekennzeich¬ net, daß die Mittenfrequenz des durch den weiteren Signal generator erzeugten Rauschsignals einste oar ist. 10. tinnitus masking device according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that the center frequency of the noise signal generated by the further signal generator is first oar.
1 1 . Tinnitus-Mαskiergerät nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch gekenn¬ zeichnet, daß die untere und/oder die obere Grenzfrequenz des Rauschsignalgenerators einstel lbar ist.1 1. Tinnitus measuring device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the lower and / or the upper limit frequency of the noise signal generator can be set.
12. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 1 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Gerät mit einem Hörgerät kombiniert oder in ein Hörgerät eingebaut ist.12. Tinnitus masking device according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the device is combined with a hearing aid or is built into a hearing aid.
13. Tinnitus-Maskiergerät nach Anspruch 12,.. dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Signalgeneratoren durch den Hörgerätebenutzer einzeln oder gemeinsam beliebig ein- und ausschaltbar sind . 13. Tinnitus masking device according to claim 12, .. characterized in that the signal generators can be switched on and off individually or jointly by the hearing device user.
EP91905060A 1990-05-09 1991-03-02 Tinnitus masking device Expired - Lifetime EP0527742B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4014872A DE4014872A1 (en) 1990-05-09 1990-05-09 TINNITUS MASKING DEVICE
DE4014872 1990-05-09
PCT/EP1991/000390 WO1991017638A1 (en) 1990-05-09 1991-03-02 Tinnitus masking device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0527742A1 true EP0527742A1 (en) 1993-02-24
EP0527742B1 EP0527742B1 (en) 1994-08-31

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EP (1) EP0527742B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05506550A (en)
AT (1) ATE110920T1 (en)
AU (1) AU642985B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2076875A1 (en)
DE (2) DE4014872A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1991017638A1 (en)

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DE4014872A1 (en) 1991-11-14
AU642985B2 (en) 1993-11-04
AU7345591A (en) 1991-11-27
CA2076875A1 (en) 1991-11-10
ATE110920T1 (en) 1994-09-15
DE59102755D1 (en) 1994-10-06
JPH05506550A (en) 1993-09-22
US5325872A (en) 1994-07-05
WO1991017638A1 (en) 1991-11-14
EP0527742B1 (en) 1994-08-31

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