Abstract: Vibrations for application to hard living tissue, such as bones, teeth, etc., are derived from a magnetostrictive element disposed in a varying electromagnetic field to create dimensional variations in the magnetostrictive element. In an audiodontic vibrator for the hearing impaired, a magnetostrictive rod is disposed in the hollow core of an electromagnetic coil through which current flows in response to acoustic signals. The resulting electromagnetic field in the core passes through the magnetostrictive rod, causing small dimensional variations in the rod corresponding to amplitude variations in the field. An actuator in contact with the rod extends from the housing and transmits the dimensional changes as low amplitude vibrations to the hard tissue via a bracket mounted on a tooth by an adhesive resin-based cement. The bracket has a receiving channel contoured to slidably and removably receive the distal end of the actuator in close fitting frictional relation.

Abstract: A tinnitus masking device and method for producing a masking signal with a selected center frequency, selected bandwidth, and selected volume is provided. A random noise generator and a clock circuit are employed in conjunction with a switched capacitance filter bank to produce a masking signal with the selected center frequency and selected bandwidth. The masking signal is then received by a volume control unit and then amplified for delivery to the tinnitus sufferer's ear or ears by speakers or headphones. Additionally, the tinnitus masking device may include a timer and fade out unit.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid device including a vibrational element which is mounted to the round window of the cochlea and a transmitter which can be mounted externally of the ear or within the mastoid bone of the skull. The transmitter includes a microphone for picking up sound waves and converting the sound waves into electromagnetic signals which are imparted to the vibrational element fixed to the round window of the cochlea. The placement of the vibrational element on the round window provides significant advantages over conventional implantable hearing aids which transmit vibrational impulses to the oval window of the cochlea through a pathway which interferes with normal hearing. With the implantable hearing device of the present invention, the normal pathway used for receiving acoustically input sound waves is left unobstructed.