Prototype Development of a Gamified Virtual Environment for Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment

Abstract

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in medical therapy has gained traction, as it offers an interactive, immersive, and controlled environment that is challenging to replicate in the real world. Tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing in the ears, often requires a psychological therapeutic approach despite having a physical cause. Recently, a VR study was conducted in tinnitus therapy, but the simple virtual scenes lacked sufficient engagement to sustain patients’ interest in the treatment. This also highlights the common challenge of patient treatment retention encountered in various therapeutic approaches. However, recent studies show that gamification elements, such as tablet computer games and achievement-based award mechanisms, can effectively enhance patient retention within therapy sessions. Inspired by this, this paper presents a thorough development of a prototype gamified VR application that incorporates acoustic stimulations for neuromonics tinnitus therapy. The application acquires the patient's specific tinnitus frequency and integrates it with other sounds to help lessen the user's perception of their unique tinnitus frequency during VR treatment. All functionalities of the application are detailed in the paper. Initial data on the usability and effectiveness of the application are not yet available. The alpha version of the application is available upon request.