Systems, devices and methods for bilateral caloric vestibular stimulation

A method for delivering caloric stimulation to a subject for treating a subject afflicted with headache and in need of treatment thereof, the method comprising:

• positioning at least a portion of an in-ear stimulation device in the ear canals of the subject, the in-ear stimulator comprising:
• (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject;
• (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces;
• and
• (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece;
• (d) delivering a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second thermoelectric device such that the first and second thermoelectric devices effect corresponding temperature changes to the first and second earpieces, respectively, to deliver caloric stimulation to the subject in an amount sufficient to treat a subject afflicted with headache.

An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject, comprising:

• (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject;
• (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces;
• (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece;
• and
• (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second thermoelectric device, wherein the first and second caloric outputs are configured to treat Parkinson's disease in a subject in need of treatment thereof.

A method for delivering caloric stimulation to a subject for treating a subject afflicted with Parkinson's disease and in need of treatment thereof, the method comprising:

• positioning at least a portion of an in-ear stimulation device in the ear canals of the subject, the in-ear stimulator comprising:
• (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject;
• (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces;
• and
• (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece;
• (d) delivering a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second thermoelectric device such that the first and second thermoelectric devices effect corresponding temperature changes to the first and second earpieces, respectively, to deliver caloric stimulation to the subject in an amount sufficient to treat a subject afflicted with Parkinson's disease.