Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.

A device includes a processor configured to detect a respiratory disorder episode and generate kinesthetic stimulation control signals in response to the detection of a respiratory disorder episode. The device further includes at least one kinesthetic effector adapted to be applied to a patient's outer skin site and includes a vibrating electromechanical transducer capable of receiving stimulation control signals and outputting a kinesthetic stimulation energy determined by the stimulation control signals. The processor is further configured to determine the effectiveness of stimulation by detecting a cessation of the respiratory disorder episode. The processor is further configured to determine a stimulation energy by selecting an initial energy value and varying the energy value as a function of the effectiveness of previous stimulation.

An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator and an earpiece having a first axial earpiece conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.

An electrostimulation device comprises a hand-held electrostimulation generator receiving an input music signal and providing at an output a nerve electrostimulation signal modulated by the music signal, an electronic signal conduit having conductive leads conductively connected to the output of the electrostimulation generator, and an electrode coupler comprising an earbud. The earbud is shaped to form fit inside an ear canal of a human ear and composed of a pliable material conforming to the ear canal when inserted therein, the pliable material forming at least two electrostimulation electrodes conductively connected to a respective one of the conductive leads of the electronic signal conduit to receive the nerve electrostimulation signal and transmitting the nerve electrostimulation signal to at least two different, electrically conductive exterior surface portions of the pliable material and transcutaneously applying the nerve electrostimulation signal from the conductive leads to tissue within the ear canal when disposed therein.

A head tremor reduction device includes a frame mountable on the head of a person. The frame has two frame arms, each mountable on top of the ear of the person. A mechanical flap pivotably mounted on each of the frame arms to apply a pressuring force on a head area about the rear side of the ear. A section of the frame arm has an arm channel to accommodate a control plate for movement. The control plate has a tapered end portion operatively connected to the mechanical flap to adjust the flap angle in order to change the pressuring force. A control rod slidably engaged in a slot in the frame channel is used for moving the control plate along the arm channel to adjust the flap angle. The frame arm may have a rack movably engaged with a pinion for moving the control plate along the arm channel.

A portable device for noninvasively treating Meniere's disease and similar conditions by introducing pressure pulses into an ear canal to vibrate auditory ossicles through a tympanic membrane. The device includes a pump unit for generating the pressure pulses, wherein the pump unit includes a Voice Coil Motor and a diaphragm pump that is driven by the Voice Coil Motor; an earpiece for transmitting the pressure pulses to a tympanic membrane; a controller for controlling the pump unit; and an alarm lamp. When the device detects no pressure pulses being generated even when the pump unit is operated, the alarm lamp is lit and an error message is displayed on the indicator, and when the device detects the earpiece being disconnected from the ear of the user, the microcomputer stops counting the time elapsed and the alarm lamp is lit and an error message is displayed on the indicator.

A beneficial body instrument includes a hook portion wrapped around an auricle to be detachably worn on the auricle, and magnetic stimulation portions provided at the hook portion to stimulate acupuncture points around the auricle.

The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.

A method for external ear canal pressure regulation to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with a disorder or treat one or more disorders, the method including providing a fluid transfer device which generates a fluid flow of a fluid through an earplug, the earplug having an earplug external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal wall as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure; sealably engaging the earplug of the fluid transfer device with the external ear canal wall as the barrier between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure; and operating the fluid transfer device to generate the fluid flow of the fluid through the earplug to achieve an external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure effective to alleviate a disorder symptom or treat a disorder.

An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator may include at least one therapy electrode configured for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle located therein, and an electrical stimulation device electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation device, the electrical stimulation device programmed to generate and deliver electrical stimulation signals, with defined stimulation parameters, to the at least one therapy electrode to stimulate, with the at least one therapy electrode percutaneously inserted, at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle, the defined stimulation parameters including a defined pulse frequency and at least one of a defined pulse width and a defined duty cycle.