Systems, methods and devices for treating tinnitus

摘要

Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

主权项

1. A method of treating tinnitus in a patient, comprising:
measuring a patient's tinnitus symptoms; selecting therapeutic sounds based on the measured tinnitus symptoms, wherein each therapeutic sound consists of only one frequency, and wherein the frequency is audible to the patient; providing a repeated paired training therapy by providing a series of the therapeutic sounds paired with a vagus nerve stimulation pulse train by presenting the vagus nerve stimulation pulse train during presentation of the therapeutic sounds, wherein the vagus nerve stimulation pulse train is generated by a subcutaneous device that provides electrical stimulation of the patient's vagus nerve; repeatedly presenting the series of paired therapeutic sounds; and reducing the patient's perception of tinnitus.