Devices and methods for vestibular and/or cranial nerve stimulation

Abstract

An in-ear stimulator for administering thermal stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) an earpiece configured to be insertable into the ear canal of said subject, the earpiece having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein, the internal cavity having an inner surface; and (b) at least one thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece internal cavity inner surface.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for delivering caloric stimulation to a subject, the method comprising:
 positioning at least a portion of an in-ear stimulator in an ear canal of the subject;   activating said in-ear stimulator to deliver a thermal stimulation to the ear canal of the subject; and   reorienting a tilt angle of the subject to thereby modify a vestibular and/or cranial nerve stimulation.