Therapeutic sound through bone conduction

Therapeutic sound is provided through a bone conduction apparatus. A patient having a mental disorder is selected and provided with a bone conduction apparatus. A therapeutic signal generator generates a therapeutic signal for ameliorating the mental disorder. A vibratory actuator of the bone conduction apparatus vibrates based on the therapeutic signal, which causes the patient to perceive a therapeutic sound percept.

BACKGROUND

People sometimes listen to audio or other sounds while preforming a task to provide entertainment or to improve concentration. And studies have explored the possibility of using white noise to improve the cognitive function of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Traditionally, such sounds are provided through speakers or headphones. However there are circumstances where the use of headphones and speakers can be inappropriate, such as in certain classrooms. The use of headphones and speakers can also have other drawbacks.

SUMMARY

Technology disclosed herein includes systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods that provide therapeutic sound through bone conduction.

In an example, there is a method including: selecting a patient having a mental disorder; providing a bone conduction apparatus to the patient; generating a therapeutic signal for ameliorating the mental disorder; and vibrating, using the therapeutic signal, a vibratory actuator of the bone conduction apparatus to cause the patient to perceive a therapeutic sound percept.

In some examples, the method further includes: tracking a head movement of the patient to generate head movement data; and modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal based on the head movement data. In some examples, generating the therapeutic signal includes compensating the therapeutic signal for soft tissue attenuation. In some examples, modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal includes: modifying an intensity level of the therapeutic signal; or modifying a type of therapeutic signal. In some examples, the method further includes: measuring an ambient noise level to generate ambient noise level data; and modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal based on the ambient noise level data. In some examples, the method further includes monitoring usage of the bone conduction apparatus to generate usage data. In some examples, generating the therapeutic signal includes: generating white noise, pink noise, or brown noise. In some examples, generating the therapeutic signal includes: playing a stored therapeutic sound loop. In some examples, the method further includes: wirelessly receiving the therapeutic signal at the bone conduction apparatus. In some examples, selecting a patient having a mental disorder includes selecting a patient being treated for a mental disorder with a treatment plan including the use of a pharmaceutical. In some examples, causing the patient to receive the therapeutic sound percept supplements the treatment plan.

In another example, there is a bone conduction apparatus. The bone conduction apparatus includes: a housing; a therapeutic sound system configured to solely generate therapeutic sound configured to address an mental disorder, the therapeutic sound system comprising: a signal generator configured to generate a therapeutic signal; and a vibratory actuator disposed in the housing and configured to vibrate in response to the therapeutic signal; and a coupling apparatus to facilitate transfer of vibrations from the vibratory actuator to a cochlea of a recipient of the bone conduction apparatus via the recipient's skull.

In some examples, bone conduction apparatus further includes: a memory having stored thereon one or more therapeutic sound loops, and the signal generator is configured to generate the therapeutic signal from the one or more therapeutic sound loops. In some examples, the bone conduction apparatus further includes: a gyroscopic sensor configured to obtain head movement data when the bone conduction apparatus is worn by the recipient; or an accelerometer configured to obtain head acceleration data when the bone conduction apparatus is worn by the recipient. In some examples, the signal generator is remote from the housing. In some examples, the signal generator is configured to, when generating the therapeutic signal, compensate for soft tissue attenuation during transmission of the vibrations to the cochlea of the recipient of the bone conduction apparatus.

In a further example, there is a method including: providing a bone conduction apparatus to a recipient prior to the recipient performing a task; and while the recipient is performing the task and wearing the bone conduction apparatus: generating a predetermined therapeutic signal; and vibrating, based on the predetermined therapeutic signal, a vibratory actuator of the bone conduction apparatus to cause the recipient to receive a therapeutic sound percept.

In examples, the method further includes: monitoring a usage of the bone conduction apparatus to generate usage data; tracking head movement of the recipient to generate head movement data; and providing the usage data and the head movement data as output. In examples, the method further includes calibrating the bone conduction apparatus to the recipient to generate calibration data, and the generating the predetermined therapeutic signal includes generating the predetermined therapeutic signal based on the calibration data. In examples, the method further includes receiving a profile identifier; and selecting calibration data from a calibration data set using the profile identifier. In examples, generating the predetermined therapeutic signal includes generating the predetermined therapeutic signal based on the selected calibration data. In examples, generating the predetermined therapeutic signal includes: generating a white noise signal; generating a pink noise signal; or generating a brown noise signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Audio signals can be therapeutic. Traditional techniques for providing audio include the use of speakers or headphones. However such devices can negatively affect the ability of a person to perform certain tasks and can negatively affect nearby individuals. For example, headphones can occlude a wearer's ear, which can limit the ability of the wearer to hear other sounds (e.g., lectures) that rely on an open ear. As another example, while speakers do not block a person's ears, speakers can be disruptive to others and lack discretion. Examples disclosed herein can address these and other challenges through the use of a bone conduction apparatus to cause a recipient to perceive a therapeutic sound percept.

In contrast to conventional audio-producing devices (e.g., speakers and headphones), which rely primarily on the principles of air conduction, bone conduction devices produce vibrations that are transferred through the skull. The transferred vibrations reach the cochlea and cause motion of the perilymph and stimulation of the auditory nerve, which results in the perception of the received sound, such as a therapeutic sound percept.

Therapeutic sound percepts are sound percepts that have, are thought to have, or are selected to have a therapeutic effect, such as ameliorating a disorder (e.g., lessening one or more symptoms of the disorder). In examples, the use of the bone conduction apparatus to cause a therapeutic sound percept is part of a treatment regimen for addressing a disorder. For example, the use of the bone conduction apparatus can be used in addition to or instead of a traditional treatment regimen for the disorder (e.g., the use of pharmaceuticals). Disclosed examples include the use of vibrations generated by a bone conduction apparatus to cause a therapeutic sound percept in a patient having (e.g., diagnosed as having or thought to have) a mental disorder, such as an attention disorder (e.g., ADHD), Tourette's syndrome, drug abuse, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In some examples, using bone-conducted vibrations to induce a therapeutic sound percept can treat disorders other than mental disorders, such as tinnitus. Example sources usable to generate therapeutic sound percepts include noise signals.

Noise signals (or simply “noise”) as used herein are signals usable to cause hearing percepts in a recipient (e.g., by causing a vibratory actuator118to vibrate) that are not designed to convey specific information perceptible by the recipient. For example, such signals can be contrasted with music (e.g., which conveys musical structure through the arrangement of particular notes), conversational speech (e.g., which conveys information provided by a speaker), and microphone output of a hearing device (e.g., which is designed to convey contemporaneous information of the environment surrounding the wearer of the hearing device), which are designed to convey specific meaning. In examples, noise includes signals produced by a stochastic process, such as white noise, brown noise, or pink noise. In examples, various colors of noise can be produced, such as white noise (e.g., noise having substantially equal power per hertz over a frequency band), pink noise (e.g., noise having substantially equal power per octave over a frequency band), blue noise (e.g., noise having a spectral density proportional to the frequency over a frequency band), or brown noise (e.g., noise having a spectral density inversely proportional to the square of the frequency), among other colors or types of noise. Noise can also include signals that are generated based on natural background sources, such as the sound of rain, a thunderstorm, waves, forest sounds, birdsong, wind, fire, or combinations thereof. Noise can also include signals that are generated based on other sources such as background sounds from traffic, coffee shops, airplanes, or trains. While such background noise can be recognized as coming from a specific source or as containing information (e.g., that a bird is singing or spoken phrases emerging from the buzz of a coffee shop), they are not designed to convey specific information perceptible by the recipient.

The perception of noise, or therapeutic signals in general, provided through bone conduction can be different from how that same therapeutic signal in general would be perceived if transmitted through conventional air-conduction audio devices, such as speakers or headphones. For instance, if white noise was a desired treatment and it were transmitted through a transcutaneous bone conduction system, high frequencies can be lost due to attenuation from the recipient's tissue (e.g., skin). Differences in tissue thickness and individual anatomy can create variation in attenuation among individuals. As a result, the attenuation can turn a desired therapeutic white noise into pink noise or even brown noise depending on the amount of attenuation. In some examples herein, the output of the bone conduction apparatus100to cause a therapeutic hearing percept is generated in a way that compensates for attenuations. The compensation can include a general, non-individualized modification of the generation of therapeutic signals or customized modification for specific recipients (e.g., based on a fitting session).

Additional examples disclosed herein can modify the generation of therapeutic sound based on sensor data, such as data obtained from an accelerometer, gyroscopic sensor, a microphone, or an EEG (electroencephalogram) among other sensors. In an example, one or more sensors are used to obtain head movement data of the recipient, and the data is used to modify the intensity or type of vibrations produced by the bone conduction apparatus. For instance, an increase in head movement can indicate an increase in distraction in a recipient having an attention disorder (e.g., ADHD), so the intensity of vibrations is increased to ameliorate the increased distraction. In another example, the noise of the environment around the bone conduction apparatus is detected via the microphone, and the vibrations are modified in response thereto. The sensor data can further be used to monitor compliance with a treatment plan as well as to determine whether a treatment plan is having an intended affect.

In examples, the generation of the vibrations based on a therapeutic signal is based on a treatment schedule. For instance, a treatment schedule can specify a type of therapeutic signal and an amount of time for which the vibrations are to be provided. In examples, during treatment there may be a period of time in which the vibrations are provided followed by a period in which the vibrations are not provided followed again by a period of time in which the vibrations are provided. In examples, the treatment schedule specifies that an intensity level of the vibrations is increased or decreased over time.

In examples herein, the therapeutic sound is produced by a dedicated device with the primary purpose of producing vibrations based on a therapeutic signal rather than acting as a bone conduction auditory prosthesis. For instance, individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss may receive an auditory prosthesis that generates mechanical motion of the cochlea fluid to cause a hearing percept indicative of the sonic environment around the recipient. As a particular example, such an auditory prosthesis receives acoustic sound signals from a microphone and converts the sound signals into electrical signals for use in actuating a vibrator to cause a hearing percept. By contrast, rather than producing a hearing percept indicative of a current sonic environment around the recipient, disclosed examples can produce a predetermined therapeutic sound percept. As a particular example, a bone conduction device disclosed herein can be predetermined (e.g., preconfigured) to produce a white noise signal when activated. Beneficially, a dedicated therapeutic-signal-generating device can be constructed more simply than an auditory prosthesis. The dedicated device can advantageously have a lower cost, an improved battery life, decreased weight, reduced size, and other beneficial characteristics compared to more complex devices. For instance, rather than using a high-resolution actuator capable of generating high-quality vibrations representative of ambient sound around the device (e.g., as with bone conduction auditory prostheses), certain devices disclosed herein can be relatively lower-resolution. The vibratory actuator of such devices can be tuned to produce vibrations based on predetermined therapeutic signals (e.g., white noise) rather than arbitrary input (e.g., from a microphone or sound source, such as a media player). In examples, the devices disclosed herein can lack a microphone, lack feedback-reducing circuitry, or other components.

In other examples, the therapeutic signal components disclosed herein can be added as one or more modules to auditory prostheses to expand the capabilities of such devices. For instance, the auditory prosthesis can be a cochlear implant, a bone conduction device (e.g., percutaneous bone conduction devices, transcutaneous bone conduction devices, active bone conduction devices, and passive bone conduction devices), or a middle ear stimulators, among others.

System

FIG.1illustrates an example bone conduction system10for providing therapeutic sound. The bone conduction system10includes one or more bone conduction apparatuses100and, in some examples, a recipient computing device20.

The bone conduction apparatus100is an apparatus that generates vibrations in response to a therapeutic signal to cause a recipient (e.g., a wearer of the bone conduction apparatus100) to perceive a therapeutic sound percept. In the illustrated example, the bone conduction apparatus100includes a housing102within which are a therapeutic sound system110, a coupling apparatus120, a processor130, an interface132, a power source134, a memory140, and one or more sensors150. The bone conduction apparatus100can further include a support160by which the bone conduction apparatus100is worn by the recipient.

The housing102is a casing that encloses one or more components of the bone conduction apparatus100. The housing102can provide environmental resistance, such that it prevents or resists water or dust from affecting one or more of the components. In many examples, includes components to facilitate the wearing of the bone conduction apparatus100by the recipient. In example, the bone conduction apparatus100includes a fastener (e.g., a snap-in coupler) to couple the housing102or another component, such as the coupling apparatus120, to the support160.

The therapeutic sound system110is a system of the bone conduction apparatus100that generates vibrations to cause a therapeutic sound percept to be perceived by the recipient when the bone conduction apparatus100is worn by the recipient. The therapeutic sound system110includes a therapeutic signal generator112and a vibratory actuator118.

The therapeutic signal generator112is one or more components of the therapeutic sound system110that produces a signal for causing the vibratory actuator118to vibrate in a manner that causes a therapeutic sound percept. Examples of such components include a noise generator114and a loop player116. The noise generator114is a software or hardware component that generates a noise signal. The loop player116is a software or hardware component that plays loops of content.

The vibratory actuator118is a component that converts electrical signals into vibrations. For example, the vibratory actuator118is electrically connected to the therapeutic signal generator112, receives electrical signals therefrom, and produces vibrations based thereon. In examples, vibratory actuator118includes a piezoelectric transducer or an electro-magnetic transducer. The vibratory actuator118is mechanically coupled to the coupling apparatus120for transferring vibrations to the recipient.

In some examples, the vibratory actuator118is a low-resolution vibratory actuator118. For instance, where the bone conduction apparatus100is configured as a dedicated therapeutic-sound-percept-causing device (e.g., rather than being a more general-purpose device for reproducing music or an ambient sound environment), the vibratory actuator118can be made to be low resolution or tuned to the kinds of vibrations that would be produced based on the therapeutic signal. In examples, the vibratory actuator118is an unbalanced actuator rather than a balanced one. In examples, the vibratory actuator118is tuned, selected, or otherwise configured to resist attenuation of transmitted signals by the recipient's tissue. For instance, a vibrating mass of the vibratory actuator can be tuned (e.g., by having a decreased or otherwise modified weight) to produce output having boosted high frequencies, such that when the vibrations are attenuated, a desired therapeutic sound percept is perceived by the recipient.

The coupling apparatus120is a component of the bone conduction apparatus100that facilitates the transfer of vibrations from the vibratory actuator118to the recipient. In many examples, the coupling apparatus120is at least partially disposed outside of the housing102. For instance, the coupling apparatus120can include a plate adapted to contact skin of a recipient for transferring vibrations to the recipient through the skin. The plate can be connected to the vibratory actuator118via a shaft that extends through an opening in the housing102. In some examples, a plate or other portion for conducting vibrations through the skin of the recipient is provided by the support160rather than the coupling apparatus120directly. In such examples, the coupling apparatus120can have a fastener (e.g., a snap-fit coupler) for mechanically coupling the coupling apparatus to the conduction portion of the support160.

The processor130is one or more processing units, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs). In examples, the processor130executes instructions to produce results and control one or more aspects or operations of the bone conduction apparatus100described herein.

The interface132is one or more components that facilitate interaction between the bone conduction apparatus100and another device (e.g., a computing device, such as the recipient computing device20) or the recipient. The interface132can include one or more input components such as buttons (e.g., for powering on or off the device or changing one or more settings). The interface132can also include one or more output components such as a light (e.g., for use in indicating power), a display, or a speaker. The interface132can include one or more communication components, such as one or more radio antennas (e.g., for WI-FI, BLUETOOTH, or cellular connections), data ports (e.g., a USB port), or power ports.

The power source134is a component that provides operational power to one or more other components of the bone conduction apparatus100. In many examples, the power source134includes one or more rechargeable or disposable batteries. The power source134can also include a charging circuit for charging a rechargeable battery. In some examples, the charging circuit can include an induction coil configured to permit wireless recharging of the power source134when located in proximity to a charging station. In some examples, the power source134includes an energy harvesting component that converts mechanical actuation (e.g., via an internal pendulum or slidable electrical inductance charger actuated through movement of the recipient) to charge the power source134.

The memory140is a computer-readable storage medium. The memory140can be volatile (such as RAM (Random-Access Memory)), non-volatile (such as ROM (Read-Only Memory), flash memory, etc.), or some combination thereof. The memory140can be transitory or non-transitory. In examples, the memory140stores instructions to implement modules (e.g., the noise generator114or loop player116) or perform methods disclosed herein. In the illustrated example, the memory140stores one or more sound loops142.

Each sound loop142of the one or more sound loops142is data representative of a loop of sound playable by the loop player116to produce a therapeutic signal. For example, the bone conduction apparatus can store a five second audio sample of audio that loops substantially seamlessly (e.g., as an audio file, such as in an MP3 or WAV format). For instance, the audio can be a pre-generated loop of noise (e.g., white noise, brown noise, or pink noise). In examples, the sound loops142are loaded on the bone conduction apparatus100during manufacturing. In other examples, the sound loops142are loadable from the recipient computing device20. For instance, an application on the user computing device can modify the memory140to add, modify, or delete one or more of the sound loops142.

The one or more sensors150are components of the bone conduction apparatus100that take a measurement and produce data as output. In the illustrated example, the one or more sensors150can include a gyroscopic sensor152, an accelerometer154, and a microphone156.

The gyroscopic sensor152is a sensor that measures orientation and angle data of the bone conduction apparatus100and produces output as a result. The accelerometer154is a component of the bone conduction apparatus100that measures acceleration of the device and produces acceleration data as output. The microphone156is a component that converts sound into data. In some examples, the sensors150include an EEG (electroencephalogram) sensor to obtain data regarding the recipient's brain activity. The brain activity can be used to directly or indirectly to monitor symptoms or indications of a disorder of the recipient.

The support160is a component for attaching the bone conduction apparatus100to the recipient's head. For examples, the support160can hold the coupling apparatus120of the bone conduction apparatus100against the recipient's head in a manner and location conducive to transmit vibrations from the vibratory actuator118to the recipient to cause a hearing percept. In an example, the support160holds the coupling apparatus120against a location behind an ear canal of the recipient's ear. In an example, the location is proximate a temporal bone of the recipient. In some examples, the support160is an elastic headband, ear hook, or hat wearable by the recipient. In other examples, the support160places the bone conduction apparatus100in connection with oral anatomy (e.g., an upper tooth). The support160can be an adhesive patch for adhering the bone conduction apparatus100to a specific location on the recipient. In further examples, the support160has one or more characteristics of the bone conduction support described in US 2013/0089229, titled “Bone Conduction Device Support”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for any and all purposes. In still other examples, the support160has one or more characteristics of the wearable band described in US 2018/0288537, titled “Wearable Band for Facilitating Hearing”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for any and all purposes.

While the bone conduction apparatus100is shown as having a plurality of components within the housing102, described components need not all be disposed in the housing102. The bone conduction apparatus100can include components in separate housings that cooperate to provide one or more features described herein. In examples, the bone conduction apparatus100cooperates with the recipient computing device20to provide functionality.

In certain situations, it can be desirable to provide vibrations to both the left cochlea and the right cochlea of a recipient. The bone conduction apparatus100can accommodate this in a variety of ways. In some examples, a recipient wears two bone conduction apparatuses100: a left bone conduction apparatus100and a right bone conduction apparatus100. The multiple bone conduction apparatuses100can operate independently or cooperatively (e.g., by communicating with each other to, for example, providing a same therapeutic sound at substantially the same time). In other examples, the recipient wears a single bone conduction apparatus100that includes a left vibratory actuator118and a right vibratory actuator118that provide vibrations to the recipient via respective left and right coupling apparatuses120. The left and right vibratory actuators118can actuate based on signals from a same therapeutic signal generator112. In still other examples, there is a single vibratory actuator118configured to provide suitable vibrations to both ears of a recipient. In examples, the single vibratory actuator118is provided on a single side (e.g., left or right) of the recipient's skull and the skull sufficiently conducts the vibrations to the other side to produce a hearing percept of a sufficiently therapeutic quality. In examples, the output vibrations are piped to left and right sides of the recipient's skull by the coupling apparatus120. In yet other examples, there is a single bone conduction apparatus100that is disposed at a location on the recipient's skull or neck that transmits vibrations to the recipient's skull such that the hearing percept occurs at both the left cochlea and the right cochlea. In examples, the bone conduction apparatus100can be implemented as an under-lip bone conduction device, for example, as described in US 2016/0234611, titled “Under-Lip Bone Conduction Device”, incorporated herein by reference for any and all purposes.

The recipient computing device20is a computing device associated with the recipient of the bone conduction apparatus100. In many examples, the recipient computing device20is a cell phone, tablet computer, or laptop computer, but the recipient computing device20can take other forms.

In some examples, one or more settings of the bone conduction apparatus100are modifiable by an application operating on the recipient computing device20. For instance, the recipient computing device20can be connected to the bone conduction apparatus100via a wireless connection through the interface132. The recipient computing device20provides a user interface (e.g., a touch screen user interface) via which input from the recipient is received. Based on the input (e.g., a selection of a setting to change), the application operating on the recipient computing device20sends a message to the interface132, which causes a change to the operation of the bone conduction apparatus100based thereon (e.g., by modifying a parameter used to control the operation of the bone conduction apparatus100).

In examples, the recipient computing device20includes a therapeutic sound system application that operates on the recipient computing device20and cooperates with the bone conduction apparatus100. For instance, the therapeutic sound system application can control one or more aspects of the bone conduction apparatus100(e.g., based on input received from the recipient), obtain data from the bone conduction apparatus100, or transmit data to the bone conduction apparatus100. The recipient computing device20can connect to the bone conduction apparatus100using, for example, a wireless radiofrequency communication protocol (e.g., BLUETOOTH). The therapeutic sound system application can transmit or receive data from the bone conduction apparatus100over such a connection. In some examples, the application can stream therapeutic audio or a therapeutic signal to the bone conduction apparatus100. For example, the therapeutic signal generator112can be located in the recipient computing device and can transmit a therapeutic signal to the bone conduction apparatus100for use in actuating the vibratory actuator118.

Method for Causing a Recipient to Perceive a Therapeutic Sound Percept Using a Bone Conduction Apparatus.

FIG.2illustrates an example method200for causing a recipient to perceive a therapeutic sound percept using the bone conduction apparatus100. While the method is described in relation to the bone conduction apparatus100, other apparatuses can be used. In the illustrated example, the method200begins with operation210.

Operation210includes selecting a recipient. Selecting the recipient can include determining that an individual can benefit from therapeutic sounds. The determination that the individual can benefit from the therapeutic sounds can be based on a variety of factors, such as the individual's health (e.g., based on medical diagnoses about the individual) and the individual's goals (e.g., ameliorating one or more symptoms of a disorder without pharmaceutical intervention or improving performance in a particular area). In some examples, determining that the individual can benefit from therapeutic sounds is based on a trial period. During the trial period, the individual is provided therapeutic sound (e.g., via the bone conduction apparatus100or another source such as a speaker or headphones) and monitored (e.g. using one or more sensors150to objectively measure treatment efficacy) to determine whether the individual benefitted from treatment using therapeutic sound.

In some examples, operation210includes operation212, which includes selecting a patient having (e.g., diagnosed as having or thought to have) a mental disorder. The mental disorder can include an attention disorder (e.g., ADHD), Tourette's syndrome, narcolepsy, an addiction disorder (e.g., drug abuse), or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), among others.

In examples, the use of the bone conduction apparatus100to cause a therapeutic sound percept is part of a treatment regimen for addressing a disorder. For example, the bone conduction apparatus100can be used in addition to or instead of a traditional treatment regimen for the disorder, such as the use of pharmaceuticals. As a particular example, a treatment regimen can be provided for treating ADHD that includes providing an amount of stimulant medication to a recipient in conjunction with providing an amount of stimulus (e.g. vibrations) provided by the bone conduction apparatus100.

In some examples, operation210includes operation214, which includes selecting a recipient prior to the recipient performing a task. Providing a therapeutic sound percept can benefit recipients even if the recipient does not have a diagnosed disorder. In some examples, therapeutic sound percepts can be used to improve a recipient's performance (e.g., ability to concentrate) during a task. As such, selecting the recipient can include selecting the recipient prior to performing a task. The task can be a focus-intensive, cognitively-demanding, or stressful task. For instance, the task can be an academic task (e.g., listening to a lecture, taking a test, or completing homework), a business task (e.g., preparing a report), an athletic task (e.g., participating in a race or competition), or a competitive task (e.g., participating in a chess match), among others.

Following operation210, the flow of the method200can move to operation220.

Operation220includes providing a bone conduction apparatus100to the recipient, such as the bone conduction apparatus100. Providing the bone conduction apparatus100can include making the bone conduction apparatus100available for use, such as by the recipient (e.g., by turning on the bone conduction apparatus100or wearing the bone conduction apparatus100) or by a provider (e.g., a healthcare professional). In examples, providing the bone conduction apparatus100include providing the bone conduction apparatus100as part of a treatment plan. The treatment plan can include a description of situations in which the recipient should use the bone conduction apparatus100to generate a therapeutic sound percept, an amount of time for which the recipient should use the bone conduction apparatus, and particular parameters with which the bone conduction apparatus100should be operated. In some examples, the treatment plan is prescribed by the healthcare professional. In examples, aspects of the treatment plan are selected for ameliorating symptoms of a mental disorder.

In examples, operation220includes operation222, which includes customizing the bone conduction apparatus100to the recipient. Customizing the bone conduction apparatus100can include fitting the bone conduction device to the recipient (e.g. establishing threshold and comfort levels for delivery of therapeutic sound). Customizing the bone conduction apparatus100can include setting one or more parameters that affect the generation of a therapeutic signal by the therapeutic signal generator112. The parameters can affect, for example, an intensity of a therapeutic signal (e.g., a volume of a sound percept caused based on the therapeutic signal), a frequency profile of the therapeutic signal, a type of therapeutic signal (e.g., white noise, brown noise, pink noise, or natural background source), and a source of the therapeutic signal (e.g., whether from the noise generator114, the loop player116, or a mix of both), among other aspects. In some examples, the customizing can include or be based on impedance-related phenomena as described in US 2014/0286513, titled “Determining Impedance-Related Phenomena in Vibrating Actuator and Identifying Device System Characteristics Based Thereon”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for any and all purposes.

Customizing the bone conduction apparatus100to the recipient can include setting parameters to compensate for an amount of attenuation caused by the recipient's anatomy. The parameters that compensate for the attenuation can vary depending the kind and amount of attenuation. In some examples, the parameters include parameters that boost or cut an intensity of one or more particular frequency ranges in an output of the therapeutic signal generator112.

As part of the providing220, the amount of attenuation caused by the recipient's anatomy can be determined. For instance, a vibratory input can be provided to the recipient using the bone conduction apparatus100and a sensor placed on the recipient (e.g., on a tooth of the recipient) measures the vibratory input. A difference between the provided vibratory input and the measured vibratory input is used to determine the amount of attenuation. Based thereon, parameters can be chosen to compensate for the attenuation. In another example, a thickness and quality of the recipient's tissue through which the vibrations will pass is measured. An amount of attenuation can be inferred based on the measurement. In yet another example, the attenuation is measured based on qualitative or quantitative feedback from the recipient. For example, a sound is played for the recipient using a speaker and the same sound is played for the recipient using the bone conduction apparatus100. The settings of the bone conduction apparatus100are then modified until a hearing percept caused by the sound played by the speaker and a hearing percept caused by the sound played by the bone conduction apparatus100are substantially the same.

In examples, the customizing is based on a pure tone test. For instance, the bone conduction apparatus100produces vibrations that start below hearing threshold for several frequencies and the vibrations are changed above the hearing threshold (or vice versa). Then the signals that resulted in a hearing percept at the edge of the hearing range are used to produce calibration data that compensates for the specific way in which the recipient hears (e.g., based on tissue attenuation or other factors).

Customizing the bone conduction apparatus100can include determining one or more kinds of therapeutic signals to be provided and configuring the bone conduction apparatus100to provide those therapeutic signals. This can include selecting (e.g., selecting from a library of sound loops or generating a new sound loop142customized to the recipient) and adding one or more sound loops142to the memory140of the bone conduction apparatus100.

In other examples, customizing the bone conduction apparatus100to the recipient includes determining one or more noise generation parameters and applying them to the bone conduction apparatus, such that the noise generator114generates the noise according to those parameters. The parameters can include, for example, whether to generate white, pink, or brown noise. The parameters can also include filters that shape the output of the noise generator114to have certain characteristics, such as frequency profiles.

Additional details regarding operation222are described in relation toFIG.3. Following operation220, the flow of the method200can move to operation230.

Operation230includes generating a therapeutic signal232. Generating the therapeutic signal232can include activating the therapeutic signal generator112. The therapeutic signal generator112, once active, can produce the therapeutic signal232as output. In examples, the therapeutic signal generator112operates to produce the therapeutic signal232as output based on one or more parameters. Activating the therapeutic signal generator112can include activating the noise generator114thereof. A noise signal produced by the noise generator114can be the therapeutic signal232. Activating the therapeutic signal generator112can include activating the loop player116thereof. For instance, generating the therapeutic signal232includes generating the therapeutic signal232to ameliorate the mental disorder. Additional details regarding generating the therapeutic signal232are described in relation toFIG.4. Following operation230, the flow of the method200can move to operation240.

Operation240includes vibrating an actuator of the bone conduction apparatus100using the therapeutic signal232. For example, the operation240includes providing the therapeutic signal232of the therapeutic signal generator112to the vibratory actuator118to cause the vibratory actuator118to vibrate based on the therapeutic signal232. In some examples, the therapeutic signal232is processed by driver circuitry of the vibratory actuator118, which receives the therapeutic signal232and controls the movement of a counter-mass based thereon. In some examples, following operation240, the flow of the method200moves to operation250.

Operation250includes monitoring the usage of the bone conduction apparatus100to generate usage data252. Usage of the bone conduction apparatus100can be monitored for a variety of purposes. In some examples, the usage data252includes data describing when the bone conduction apparatus100generates a vibratory output and for how long. Such usage data252can be used to track compliance with a treatment plan for the recipient. The usage data252can track the level of noise provided to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The usage data252can include data regarding the actual or perceived effectiveness of the treatment. For instance, the usage data252can include responses to questions regarding the user's perception of the effectiveness of the treatment (e.g., the recipient computing device can query the recipient regarding perceived effectiveness of the treatment and store answers to the queries as usage data252). In other examples, the usage data252can include objective data regarding the recipient (e.g., head movement data, heart rate data, eye movement data, or EEG output data, among other data) usable to determine whether the treatment is having an effect. In further examples, the usage data252is used to modify one or more aspects of the treatment automatically (e.g., a component of the bone conduction system10automatically modifies treatment parameters based on the usage data252) or manually (e.g., the recipient or a healthcare provider makes the change manually). The monitoring of the usage can include monitoring events that occur while the bone conduction apparatus100is worn by the recipient, such as movement of a head of the recipient, which is described in more detail inFIG.5. The monitoring of the usage can include monitoring an environment around the bone conduction apparatus100, which is described inFIG.6.

Customizing for Recipient

FIG.3illustrates a method300for customizing the bone conduction apparatus100for the recipient, such as in operation222. The method300includes storing and loading parameters for the bone conduction apparatus. In examples, the bone conduction apparatus100is shared among multiple individuals or it is otherwise desirable to store parameters or other data in association with a profile that is able to be stored for later use. The method300includes operation310.

Operation310includes producing calibration data312for the recipient. The calibration data312is data that calibrates or otherwise customizes the bone conduction apparatus100for the recipient. The calibration data312can include, for example, parameters that affect the generation of a therapeutic signal232by the therapeutic signal generator112, such as by affecting an intensity, a frequency profile, a type, and a source of the therapeutic signal, among other parameters. The calibration data312can further include parameters that compensate for an amount of attenuation caused by the recipient's anatomy. The parameters can be stored in a data structure to form the calibration data312. The calibration data312can be produced in any of a variety of ways. In examples, the calibration data312is set by the manufacturer of the bone conduction apparatus, a healthcare professional, the recipient, an algorithm (e.g., a machine learning algorithm trained to produce parameters based on input data regarding the recipient), or combinations thereof. Producing calibration data312can include one or more customizing procedures described above in relation to operation222. In examples, the calibration data312is applied to the bone conduction apparatus100using a programmer device (e.g., the recipient computing device20or a special-purpose device for calibrating the bone conduction apparatus100to the recipient). Following operation310, the flow of the method300moves to operation320.

Operation320includes storing the calibration data312in association with a profile identifier322. The profile identifier322is data usable to identify the recipient. The calibration data312is stored in association with the profile identifier322such that the profile identifier322can be used to obtain the calibration data312. For instance, the profile identifier322can be used by a program to look up the calibration data312in a data structure and provide the profile identifier322as output. In some examples, the calibration data312is stored in the memory140of the bone conduction apparatus100. In some examples, the calibration data312is stored at the recipient computing device20(e.g., stored in association with the application). In other examples, the calibration data312is stored at a server remote from the bone conduction apparatus100and the recipient computing device20. Following operation320, the flow of the method300moves to operation330.

Operation330includes receiving the profile identifier322. In examples, the profile identifier322is received at the bone conduction apparatus100(e.g., via the interface132thereof), at the recipient computing device20(e.g., via a touch screen thereof), at a server (e.g., via an application programming interface thereof), or another location. Following operation330, the flow moves to operation340.

Operation340includes selecting calibration data312using the profile identifier322. In examples, selecting the calibration data312includes obtaining the calibration data312from memory or from a data structure using the profile identifier322. Following operation340, the flow moves to operation350.

Operation350includes using the calibration data312to generate the therapeutic signal. The operation350can include providing the calibration data312to the bone conduction apparatus100. For example, where the calibration data312is stored on the recipient computing device20, the recipient computing device20(e.g., via an application thereof) sends the calibration data312to the bone conduction apparatus100for use in generating the therapeutic signal. Where the calibration data312is stored at a server, the server can send the calibration data312to the recipient computing device20, which sends the calibration data312to the bone conduction apparatus100for use in generating the therapeutic signal. Where the calibration data312is stored at or sent to the bone conduction apparatus100, the bone conduction apparatus100can use the calibration data312to set parameters for use in generating the therapeutic signal. Then the next time the therapeutic signal generator112produces the therapeutic signal, the therapeutic signal generator112uses the parameters set based on the calibration data312to produce the therapeutic signal232based on the parameters associated with the profile identifier322. In this manner, the bone conduction apparatus100is customized to the recipient.

Generating Therapeutic Signals

FIG.4illustrates examples of generating the therapeutic signal232as described in operation230. In some examples, generating the therapeutic signal232includes one or more of the following operations: operation410, operation420, and operation430.

Operation410includes compensating for attenuation using attenuation data412. In examples, compensating for attenuation includes modifying the therapeutic signal232such that a desired therapeutic sound percept is perceived by the recipient. For instance, attenuation of vibrations from the vibratory actuator118by tissue of the recipient can cause a desired therapeutic white noise to be perceived as pink noise. Compensating for the attenuation can include modifying the therapeutic signal232such that when the recipient perceives the vibrations, they are perceived as the desired white noise. The attenuation data412can include parameters (e.g., those described previously) that are usable to affect the therapeutic signal232to achieve desired characteristics. Modifying the therapeutic signal232can include modifying how the therapeutic signal232is generated (e.g., by modifying the parameters used to generate the therapeutic signal) such that when the therapeutic signal232is produced, it has desired characteristics. In other examples, the therapeutic signal232is modified after it has been produced (e.g., by applying filters to the therapeutic signal232) to cause the therapeutic signal232to have desired characteristics.

Operation420includes generating a noise signal422. For instance, the noise generator114is activated to produce a noise signal as output. In examples, the noise generator114generates the noise signal422using a digital or analog source of the noise. In some examples, the noise generator114includes a source of pseudo-randomness, the output of which is filtered to obtain desired noise characteristics (e.g., characteristics of white, brown, or pink noise).

Operation430includes playing a stored sound loop142. For instance, the loop player116can load and play a sound loop142to produce the therapeutic signal232as output. In an example, the bone conduction apparatus100stores loops of therapeutic content (e.g., the sound loops142stored in the memory140). The loop player116loads a stored sound loop142of therapeutic content and plays the sound loop142on repeat to produce the therapeutic signal232used by the vibratory actuator118to produce vibrations. In such examples, the output of the loop player116is the therapeutic signal232that is provided to the vibratory actuator118.

Modifying Based on Head Movement

FIG.5illustrates a method500for modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal232(e.g., as in operation230) based on head movement data. As a specific example, a high level of head movement can indicate that the recipient is distracted and that the current level of treatment is not as effective as intended and should be modified.

The method500includes operation510, which includes tracking head movement of the recipient to generate head movement data512. Tracking head movement to generate the head movement data512can include obtaining data from one or more of the sensors150. In many examples, tracking head movement data includes obtaining data from the gyroscopic sensor152and the accelerometer154. Head movement data512can include an intensity and number of head movement events during a period of time. A head movement event is an instance of head movement. Following operation510, the flow moves to operation520.

Operation520includes modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal232based on the head movement data512. In examples, head movement (e.g., an amount and an intensity thereof) can be used to infer the presence of an undesirable condition with the recipient. For instance, where the bone conduction apparatus100is provided for ameliorating a mental disorder of the recipient, an amount of head movement by the recipient can be used to infer the extent to which the mental disorder has a negative effect on the recipient and that treatment with the therapeutic signal232should be modified. An increase, decrease, or a lack of change in an amount of head movement can indicate that that the generation of the therapeutic signal232should be modified. Modifying the therapeutic signal232can include modifying the type, intensity, or other parameters of the generation of the therapeutic signal232. Responsive to an amount of head movement being above a threshold amount of head movement for an amount of time above a time threshold, the bone conduction apparatus100can modify the generation of the therapeutic signal.

In addition to being used to modify the generation of the therapeutic signal, the head movement data512can be used to determine whether the treatment is having an intended effect on the recipient.

Modifying Based on Ambient Noise Level

FIG.6illustrates a method600for modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal232(e.g., as in operation230) based on ambient noise. For example, if the recipient is in an environment where a desirable ambient noise is present, the generation of the therapeutic signal232can be suspended until the desirable amount of ambient noise is no longer present.

The method includes operation610, which includes measuring ambient noise to generate ambient noise data612. The ambient noise data612is data regarding the sonic environment around the bone conduction apparatus100. The ambient noise data612can include a volume of the ambient noise and a type of ambient noise, as well as other characteristics of the ambient noise. The bone conduction apparatus100can monitor the ambient noise to generate ambient noise data612. For instance, the processor130can monitor an output of the microphone156, and determine qualities of the ambient noise based thereon. In other examples, the recipient can specify the ambient noise data. For instance, the recipient computing device20can receive user input indicative of a volume of the sonic environment (e.g., based on selection of a button representative of a quiet, moderate, or loud sonic environment, among others) as well as user input indicative of a type of the sonic environment (e.g., based on selection of a button representative of lecture, conversation, or music, among others). Following operation610, the flow moves to operation620.

Operation620includes modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal232based on the ambient noise data612. In some examples, this operation620includes modifying an intensity of the therapeutic signal232(e.g., thereby affecting the perceived volume of an auditory percept perceived based thereon) or a type of the therapeutic signal232. In an example, the generation of the therapeutic signal232is set so that the perceived volume of the therapeutic sound percept is at least a threshold volume amount above an ambient noise volume. In other examples, the generation of the therapeutic signal232is set so that the recipient perceives sound percepts (e.g., whether from ambient sources or from bone conduction apparatus100) at a minimum volume. For instance, while the ambient sources of sound are at or above a threshold level (e.g., 70 decibels, which is the noise of level of a typical coffee shop), the generation of the therapeutic signal232is reduced or stopped entirely, and while the ambient sources of sound are below the threshold level, the generation of the therapeutic signal232is set so that the user has a hearing percept from then bone conduction apparatus100equivalent to about 70 decibels.

In examples, modifying the generating of the therapeutic signal232is based on both the head movement data512and the ambient noise data612. For example, high head movement can be undesirable in a quiet classroom, but may be appropriate in a noisy lunchroom. For instance, low levels of ambient noise may indicate that the recipient is in an environment in which high levels of activity (e.g., as measured by head movement) is undesirable. So responsive to the ambient noise data612indicating a quiet environment (e.g., below a threshold level of decibels) and the head movement data512indicating a high level of head movement (e.g., head movement above a threshold level), the generation of the therapeutic signal232can modified (e.g., increased in intensity).

This disclosure described some aspects of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible aspects were shown. Other aspects can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Rather, these aspects were provided so that this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the possible aspects to those skilled in the art.

As should be appreciated, the various aspects (e.g., portions, components, etc.) described with respect to the figures herein are not intended to limit the systems and methods to the particular aspects described. Accordingly, additional configurations can be used to practice the methods and systems herein and/or some aspects described can be excluded without departing from the methods and systems disclosed herein.

Similarly, where steps of a process are disclosed, those steps are described for purposes of illustrating the present methods and systems and are not intended to limit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps. For example, the steps can be performed in differing order, two or more steps can be performed concurrently, additional steps can be performed, and disclosed steps can be excluded without departing from the present disclosure.

Although specific aspects were described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific aspects. One skilled in the art will recognize other aspects or improvements that are within the scope of the present technology. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative aspects. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.