What Is a Speech Generating Device?

Speech generation devices (SGDs), also known as sound output communication aids , are an electronic assisted and alternative communication (AAC) system. Complement, replace, or write for people with speech impairments so that they can communicate their needs verbally. SGDs are important for those who have language communication difficulties. Because this system allows everyone to become an active participant in communication and interaction. Speech-generating devices are particularly helpful for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but have recently been used to assist children with predictive speech deficits. ^[1]

SGDs have multiple input and display methods for different types of speech impairments. Some SGDs provide many symbol pages to cope with a large number of verbal messages, so when the system locates these symbol pages, only part of the symbols can be seen at a time. The voice generation device can generate

SGDs are back in the roots of electronic communication. The first such assistance was named in 1960, registered in the UK by Maling's prototype patient-operated selection technology (POSSUM). A small mouth and a puff typewriter controller POSSUM were scanned through a set of illuminated display symbols. In 1970, researchers at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands created a bright spot-operated typewriter (LOT), which uses small movements of endpoints in a matrix of characters, each equipped with a photovoltaic cell to point to a small spot of light. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, LOT is still well received by its users.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, many companies began to emerge as prominent manufacturers of later SGDs. After Toby Churchill lost his ability to speak due to encephalitis, he founded Toby Churchill Co., Ltd. in 1973. In the United States, Dynavox (then called Emotional System Technology) was initiated as a student project of Carnegie Mellon University Started in 1982 to help a young woman with cerebral palsy

There are many ways to access discourse messages: directly, indirectly, or specialized access devices. Direct access involves physical contact with the system through the use of a keyboard or touchpad. Regarding the use of the system, users who access the SGDs indirectly and through individual devices must use the scanner through manipulation, cursors, visual indicators, optical indicators, infrared indicators or switches.

Individual methods used will vary depending on the skills and abilities of the user. Directly select available body, pointer,

Promotional and alternative communication is generally much slower than speech, and users usually produce 8-10 words per minute. The rate-enhancing strategy can increase the rate of outgoing users by approximately 12-15 words per minute, thus improving the efficiency of communication.

There may be a large number of vocal expressions in any SGD that facilitate efficient and effective communication, including greetings, expressing desires, and asking questions. As users manipulate various web pages, SGDs have many symbol pages to respond to a large number of sound expressions, so only a part of the symbols can be seen on the screen at a time. Speech-generating devices typically display a set of usage options: one that uses a dynamically changing screen, or a fixed-display screen.

There are two main ways to improve the SGD communication rate: encoding and prediction

Coding lets users generate one or two words, sentences or phrases that activate their SGD. Iconic coding strategies, such as the combination of icons (picture symbols) to reduce semantically generated words or phrases. In numbers, letters, numbers, letters and encodings (also known as abbreviation extensions), words and sentences are encoded as sequences of letters and numbers. For example, typing "HH" or "G1" (for greeting 1) gives you "Hello, how are you?".

Prediction is a rate enhancement strategy that attempts to reduce the number of keystrokes used by predicting a word or phrase. The user can then select the correct prediction word without writing the entire word. Text prediction software will decide the word selection based on the frequency of language use, its relevance to other texts, past use or grammatical fit. However, users have stated that a static keyboard layout can generate multiple words per minute (using a scanning interface) than a predictive design, which indicates that when using the scanning interface, predicting the arrangement of cognitive words in advance has negated the prediction Sexual interface.

Some "sound interactive devices" like auditory science combine coding and prediction into the same system. For example, typing "HMF" can be "Can you help me find ____", and then the prediction function can help the user complete the sentence, such as "Can you help me find" my glasses "? Or can you help me find" me Car key? "

Another way to improve communication efficiency is Dasher, which uses language models and arithmetic coding to render the target letters on the screen. These words are chosen based on past usage history.

The rate of text generation mostly depends on the concept level in the system: the TALK system, which displays output at 60 words per minute, allows users to choose a large number of sentences.

The output of SGD can be digitized or synthesized: digital speech is directly recorded words or speech; however, the synthesized speech is recorded with text speech recording software, with less emotional information, but users can type by Enter new words and say rich messages. Today, every user uses a speech generation device that combines recorded speech and text speech technology. However, some devices can only output with one type of voice.

SGD's selected word set is a collection of all messages, symbols and codes. User-friendly device. Updates in content, organization, and choices are all new research areas. It is also influenced by many factors, including the user's ability, interests, and age. The selected word set of the AAC system may include words that are not yet known to the user. These words are classified as "follow-up learning." Many factors will evoke system content, organization, and vocabulary updates of the SGD system, such as user needs, and the The context in which the device is used.

Dynamically generating speech devices is usually accomplished by professionally enhanced conversations. The specialist must cater to the needs of the patient, as patients usually choose what words / phrases they want. For example, use patients based on their age, disability, interests, etc. Therefore, the organization of content is very time consuming. In addition, SGDs are rarely paid by health insurance companies. As a result, the allocation of funds and personnel resources is extremely limited. Dr. John Costello of Boston Children's Hospital strives to solicit and raise funds at his or Kwak Hospital to maintain the execution of these programs and good staff quality.