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EP0527742B1 - Tinnitus masking device - Google Patents

Tinnitus masking device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0527742B1
EP0527742B1 EP91905060A EP91905060A EP0527742B1 EP 0527742 B1 EP0527742 B1 EP 0527742B1 EP 91905060 A EP91905060 A EP 91905060A EP 91905060 A EP91905060 A EP 91905060A EP 0527742 B1 EP0527742 B1 EP 0527742B1
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Prior art keywords
signal
accordance
tinnitus
tinnitus masker
voltage
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0527742A1 (en
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Soren Erik Westermann
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Topholm and Westermann ApS
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Topholm and Westermann ApS
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    • 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 for the treatment of tinnitus with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier part and one or two electroacoustic transducers for converting electrical into acoustic signals, and with a voltage source.
  • DE-U1-8 815 877 a tinnitus masking device with an electronic circuit for generating a sound spectrum that masks the tinnitus.
  • This spectrum contains a line spectrum with at least one discrete tone frequency.
  • the user of the device can set both the sound intensity and the frequency of the tone generator and, if necessary, also switch on a noise signal. In any case, the signal generated in this way must be louder than the tinnitus so that it is masked.
  • Tinnitus stands for a wide range of symptoms, all of which 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 or for some reason is or is constantly excited and remains in this excitation state for longer or shorter periods. 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 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 usually possible to identify a specific, often narrow or narrow frequency range within which the frequency of the tinnitus lies.
  • a tone generator repeats this frequency range slowly and slowly, then the true tinnitus frequency may be expected to be actually and repeatedly hit, although the patient does not know exactly when this is the case.
  • the object underlying the invention be 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 noticeable by the audible impression of a tone or sound mixture lying in the hearing frequency range.
  • 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.
  • 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 tone signal generator 1 basically 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 audio signal and is typically in the range from 0.1 to 0.2 Hertz.
  • the output signal of the oscillator 5 should not contain any DC component.
  • This output signal is sent via a potentiometer to a sum amplifier consisting of resistors 8a and 8b and an operational amplifier 9 to a second voltage-controlled oscillator 10. 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 electroacoustic transducer 3 is connected to the output of the amplifier 13.
  • the potentiometer 6 is used to set the tone frequency range swept by the tone frequency generator, and the potentiometer 7 is used to adjust the center frequency of the swept tone frequency range.
  • the patient can also switch the noise 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 should preferably only be used under the guidance, better still under the supervision of an experienced hearing aid acoustician, even better a doctor in an ENT clinic.
  • the invention thus created a novel tinnitus masking device with which a tinnitus consisting of a pure tone can be suppressed temporarily or permanently with a high probability of success.

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  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • 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)
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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

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Tinnitus-Maskiergerät für die Behandlung von Tinnitus mit einem oder mehreren Signalgeneratoren, einem regelbaren Verstärkerteil und einem oder zwei elektroakustischen Wandlern zum Umwandeln elektrischer in akustische Signale, sowie mit einer Spannungsquelle.The invention relates to a tinnitus masking device for the treatment of tinnitus with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier part 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.

So offenbart z.B. die DE-U1- 8 815 877 ein Tinnitus-Maskiergerät mit einer elektronischen Schaltung zur Erzeugung eines Schallspektrums, das den Tinnitus maskiert. Dieses Spektrum enthält ein Linienspektrum mit mindestens einer diskreten Tonfrequenz. Der Benutzer des Gerätes kann sowohl die Schallintensität als auch die Frequenz des Tongenerators einstellen und ggf. auch ein Rauschsignal zuschalten. In jedem Fall muß das so erzeugte Signal lauter sein als der Tinnitus, damit dieser maskiert wird.For example, DE-U1-8 815 877 a tinnitus masking device with an electronic circuit for generating a sound spectrum that masks the tinnitus. This spectrum contains a line spectrum with at least one discrete tone frequency. The user of the device can set both the sound intensity and the frequency of the tone generator and, if necessary, also switch on a noise signal. In any case, the signal generated in this way must be louder than the tinnitus so that it is masked.

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 kontinuierlich hörbaren lauten Geräusch, 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 faint tone that only occurs a few times a year 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 alle mit der Gehörfunktion zu tun haben, insbesondere mit dem Mittelohr, dem Organ der Corti, den Nervenzellen und den Nervensträngen und den Nervenzentren, die vom Organ der Corti nach dem Gehirn führen.Tinnitus stands for a wide range of symptoms, all of which 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 Erkenntnisse haben gezeigt, daß die Nervenzentren zwischen dem Organ der Corti und dem Gehirn eine derart komplexe Signalverarbeitung bewirken, daß man in der obersten Ebene des achten Gehirnnervs eine einzelne Nervenzelle ausmachen kann, die nur dann erregt wird, wenn durch die Nervenzentren 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 Nervenzellen 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 Ohreine hoch entwickelte Fähigkeit aufweist, Töne, Laute oder Geräusche unterschiedlicher Frequenzen oder Frequenzgemische zu unterscheiden, ist es durchaus möglich, daß eine sehr große Anzahl dieser Nerven zum Erkennen 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 produce such a complex signal processing that one can identify a single nerve cell in the top level of the eighth brain nerve, which is only excited when a whole through the nerve centers certain sound is identified. This sound can e.g. specifically a phoneme or a tone of a specific frequency. In other words, it appears that some or all of the top-level nerve cells are responsible for informing the brain that a particular sound or tone, or a complex mix of sounds or tones, has occurred. Since 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 are designed 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 normalerweise einen wirklich hörbaren Ton dieser Frequenz dem Gehirn übermitteln würde, aus irgendwelchen Gründen sporadisch oder ständig angeregt ist oder wird und länger oder kürzer andauernd in diesem Anregungszustand verbleibt. Dies könnte beispielsweise durch eine elektromechanische 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 or for some reason is or is constantly excited and remains in this excitation state for longer or shorter periods. 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 Fällen möglich war, Tinnitus für eine gewisse Zeit oder sogar permanent dadurch zu unterdrücken, daß man den Patienten für kürzere oder längere Zeitintervalle verschiedenen Lauten und / oder Tönen unterschiedlicher Art und mit unterschiedlichem Schalldruck aussetzte. Meistens wurden reine Sinustöne entweder mit hohen Schalldrücken von kurzer Dauer oder als sogenannte Tinnitus-Markierer verwendet.Previous experiments have shown that in some cases it was possible to suppress tinnitus for a certain time or even permanently by exposing the patient to different sounds and / or tones of different types and with different sound pressures for shorter or longer time intervals. Mostly pure sine tones were used either with high sound pressures of short duration or as so-called tinnitus markers.

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 beispielsweise ein HdO-Gerät sein.A tinnitus masking device is an instrument worn on the head or on the body and 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 nuraufeinen solchen Tinnitus, der als ein Ton wahrgenommen wird. In diesen Fällen ist es normalerweise möglich, einen bestimmten, oft engen oder schmalen Frequenzbereich zu identifizieren, 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 usually 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 Frequenzbereich 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 Fall ist.If, on the other hand, a tone generator repeats this frequency range slowly and slowly, then the true tinnitus frequency may be expected to be 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 Tinnitus-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 vermeindlichen Höreindruck eines im Hörfrequenzbereich liegenden Tones oder Tongemisches bemerkbar macht.The object underlying the invention be 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 noticeable by the audible impression of a tone or sound mixture lying in the hearing frequency range.

Die Erfindung geht dabei von zwei Erkenntnissen aus:

  • 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.
  • 2. Normalerweise ist es für einen Patienten außerordentlich schwierig, die Qualität eines Tinnitus exakt abzuschätzen und zu beschreiben.
The invention is based on two findings:
  • 1. The residual suppression is only recognized if the masking signal exactly meets the tinnitus signal qualitatively according to the frequency content. The mask signal must be stronger.
  • 2. It is usually extremely difficult for a patient to accurately estimate and describe the quality of a tinnitus.

Die der Erfindung zugrundeliegende Aufgabe wird primär durch die Merkmale 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 patent 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 erläutert.The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a circuit example, which only shows the principle, for the signal generator for the sinusoidal sound signal used in the invention with the aid of the attached drawing.

Das Tinnitus-Maskiergerät gemäß der Erfindung soll beispielsweise in ein Hörgerät, etwa ein HdO-Gerät eingebaut sein, das einen oder mehrere Signalgeneratoren, einen regelbaren Vertärker und mindestens einen elektromechanischen Wandler und eine Spannungsquelle enthält.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 Tonsignalgenerator 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 Wiederholungsfrequenz des Tonsignals und liegt typischerweise im Bereich von 0,1 bis 0,2 Hertz. Das Ausgangssignal des Oszillators 5 sollte keine Geichstromkomponente enthalten. Dieses Ausgangssignal gelangt überein Potentiometer an einen aus den Widerständen 8a und 8b sowie einem Operationsverstärker 9 bestehenden Summenverstärker an einen zweiten spannungsgesteuerten Oszillator 10. Der Summenverstärker 8a, 8b, 9 wird außerdem durch die Ausgangsspannung eines weiteren Potentiometers 7 gespeist. Das Ausgangssignal des Oszillators 10 gelangt einmal an den Ausgangsverstärker 2, der hier,stark vereinfacht,aus einem Potentiometer 12 und einem Verstärker 13 besteht, und außerdem an einen Anschluß 11 für einen Frequenzzähler. Am Ausgang des Verstärkers 13 ist der elektroakustische Wandler 3 angeschlossen.The tone signal generator 1 basically 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 audio signal and is typically in the range from 0.1 to 0.2 Hertz. The output signal of the oscillator 5 should not contain any DC component. This output signal is sent via a potentiometer to a sum amplifier consisting of resistors 8a and 8b and an operational amplifier 9 to a second voltage-controlled oscillator 10. 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 electroacoustic transducer 3 is connected to the output of the amplifier 13.

Das Potentiometer 6 dient der Einstellung des von dem Tonfrequenzgenerator überstrichenen Tonfrequenzbereichs, und das Potentiometer 7 dient der Einstellung der Mittenfrequenz des überstrichenen Tonfrequenzbereiches.The potentiometer 6 is used to set the tone frequency range swept by the tone frequency generator, and the potentiometer 7 is used to adjust the center frequency of the swept tone frequency range.

Für einen Einsatz dieses Signalgenerators in einem Tinnitus-Maskiergerät geht man dabei wie folgt vor:

  • Zuerst wird das Potentiometer 6 so eingestellt, daß die Ausgangsspannung des Oszillators 5 vollständig gedämpft wird. Dann wird das Potentiometer 7 in Verbindung mit einem am Anschluß 11 angeschlossenen externen Frequenzzähler zum Ermitteln einer oberen und einer unteren Grenzfrequenz für den Tinnitus des Patienten, d.h. den hörbaren Ton, benutz . Dann wird das Potentiometer 7 so eingestellt, daß die Ausgangsfrequenz des Oszillators 10 in der Mitte zwischen der oberen und unteren Grenzfrequenz liegt. Durch Einstellen der Potentiometer6 und 7 wird nunmehr ein kontinuierlich 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.
To use this signal generator in a tinnitus masking device, proceed as follows:
  • First, the potentiometer 6 is set so that the output voltage of the oscillator 5 is completely damped. The potentiometer 7 is then used in conjunction with an external frequency counter connected to the connection 11 to determine an upper and a lower limit frequency for the tinnitus of the patient, ie 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 continuously generated which slowly 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 Rauschgenerator des Gerätes zu- oder abschalten.The patient can also switch the noise 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 vorzugsweise nur unter Anleitung, besser noch unter Aufsicht eines erfahrenen Hörgeräteakustikers, noch besser eines Arztes in einer HNO-Klinik benutzt werden sollte.It must be pointed out that this tinnitus masking device should preferably only be used under the guidance, better still under the supervision of an experienced hearing aid acoustician, even better a doctor in an ENT clinic.

Selbstverständlich stellt die hier gezeigte und beschriebene Prinzipschaltung nur eine von vielen Möglichkeiten zum Aufbau eines solchen Tongenerators 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 unterdrückt werden kann.The invention thus created a novel tinnitus masking device with which a tinnitus consisting of a pure tone can be suppressed temporarily or permanently with a high probability of success.

Claims (13)

1. Tinnitus masker for the treatment of tinnitus with one or more signal generators, a controllable amplifier (2), one or two electroacoustic transducers (3) for conversion of electrical signals to acoustic signals and of a voltage source, characterized in that at least one of the signal generators (1) generates a continuously repeated, sinusoidal pure tone signal which slowly moves through the audio frequency range.
2. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cycle duration of the tone generated by a sinusoidal tone generator (10) covering the audio frequency range can be adjusted between 0.1 and 1000 seconds.
3. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the cycle duration of the tone generated by a sinusoidal tone generator covering the audio frequency range is fixed in the range between 0.1 and 1000 seconds.
4. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the upper and lower cut-off frequencies of the frequency range covered by the sinusoidal tone generator (10) can be adjusted.
5. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the median frequency between the upper and lower cut-off frequencies of the frequency range covered by the sinusoidal tone generator (10) can be adjusted.
6. Tinnitus masker in accordance with 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) for generation of the continuously repeated, sinusoidal pure tone signal which slowly moves through the audio frequency range, the output signal of said first voltage-controlled oscillator being used via a first potentiometer, together with the output signal of a second potentiometer (7), to control a second voltage-controlled oscillator (10) via a summing amplifier (8a, 8b, 9), the output signal of said second voltage-controlled oscillator being supplied to the variable output amplifier (2, 12, 13) and thus to the transducer (3).
7. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the first voltage-controlled oscillator (5) can be controlled by the output voltage of a third potentiometer (4).
8. Tinnitus masker in accordance with 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 masker in accordance with 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 tone signal which continuously covers the audio frequency range.
10. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claims 1 and 9, characterized in that the median frequency of the noise signal generated by the additional signal generator can be adjusted.
11. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the lower and/or upper cut-off frequency of the noise signal generator can be adjusted.
12. Tinnitus masker in accordance with one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the device can be combined with a hearing aid or is incorporated in a hearing aid.
13. Tinnitus masker in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the signal generators can be switched on and off individually or jointly by the hearing aid user as desired.
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)

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

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EP91905060A Expired - Lifetime EP0527742B1 (en) 1990-05-09 1991-03-02 Tinnitus masking device

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US (1) US5325872A (en)
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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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE4014872A1 (en) 1991-11-14
AU642985B2 (en) 1993-11-04
EP0527742A1 (en) 1993-02-24
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

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