Bone conduction apparatus and multi-sensory brain integration method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a therapeutic method applicable to learning, attention, cognitive and developmental disorders. This method combines auditory, visual and vestibular stimuli into a systematic method which can be customized to address individual learning, attention and processing disorders. This method may be wirelessly implemented in a group setting. A device for providing vestibular and somatosensory stimulation through bone conduction of sound waves to skeletal bones is provided in the form of a pad that is applied to or wrapped around the individual in treatment, which is comfortable in use and may contain particulate filler material capable of providing bone conduction stimulation adjacent to the location of a bone conduction transducer and expand the sound conduction site over a larger area.

1 . A headband, comprising:
 a flexible sheet of padding having a first surface;   one or more bone conduction transducers, located on said first surface, the bone conduction transducers configured to emit sound waves with frequencies between 50 and 4,000 Hz that provides bone conduction stimulating the vestibular systems of a human body;   a sound source coupled to and transmitting signals to the one or more bone conduction transducers.   
     
     
         2 . A stimulation pad comprising:
 a flexible sheet of padding having an upper surface;   a bone conduction transducer, located on said upper surface, capable of emitting sound waves with frequencies between 50 and 4,000 Hz that provide bone conduction stimulation to a vestibular system of a human body;   a wireless receiver electrically connected to said plurality of bone conduction transducer and receiving signals from a wireless transmitter; and   a cover enclosing the flexible sheet of padding, the bone conduction transducer, and the wireless receiver,   wherein the wireless receiver is located on a surface of the flexible sheet of padding.   
     
     
         3 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said signals from said wireless transmitter cause said bone conduction transducer to emit music comprised only of frequencies below 4,000 Hz. 
     
     
         4 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said signals from said wireless transmitter cause said bone conduction transducer to emit music with frequencies above 4,000 Hz filtered out. 
     
     
         5 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said signals from said wireless transmitter cause said bone conduction transducer to emit the low frequency sound of a heartbeat. 
     
     
         6 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a heating element; and   a heating element controller;   wherein the heating element controller regulates the heater output to maintain the stimulation pad at a constant temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 aroma therapy pads for depositing fragrance onto the stimulation pad.   
     
     
         8 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 one or more light emitting devices.   
     
     
         9 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a canopy to isolate the stimulation pad from a surrounding environment.   
     
     
         10 . The stimulation pad as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of ridges on the top surface of the stimulation pad.   
     
     
         11 . An eye mask, comprising:
 a flexible sheet of padding having a first surface;   a pair of bone conduction transducers, located on said first surface and at opposite ends of the flexible sheet of padding, the bone conduction transducers configured to emit sound waves with frequencies between 50 and 4,000 Hz that provide bone conduction stimulation to a vestibular system of a human body;   a sound source coupled to and transmitting signals to the pair of bone conduction transducers;   a cover enclosing the flexible sheet of padding, the plurality of bone conduction transducers, and the sound source; and   a strap for connecting the opposite ends of the flexible sheet of padding in order to place the eye mask around a head of the human body.