Tinnitus measurement software licensed
We have designed subject-driven, computerized tools to measure (1) the sound frequencies that comprise tinnitus (called the “tinnitus spectrum”) and (2) the degree to which tinnitus is suppressed following the presentation of masking sounds (called “residual inhibition” in the tinnitus literature, typically lasting about 30 seconds). Using these tools we found that the frequencies that comprise tinnitus cover the region of hearing loss in the audiogram, and that band-pass noise maskers that give residual inhibition do so optimally when the center frequency of the maskers enters the tinnitus frequency range (Roberts et al. 2008). Taken together these findings suggest that what neurons do in the hearing loss region causes tinnitus, and stopping what they do suppresses it.
In 2010 our computerized tools were licensed by a company in the United States (Infomates, Stamford Connecticut) for implementation over the internet. Implementation is in its early stages. Our aim is to help tinnitus sufferers better understand their tinnitus and how it is generated by the brain, and to collect research data over the internet. Further additions to our suite of tools are under development. The tools are available without charge for research use.