Individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) depend on technology to meet their daily needs and form relationships. Speech generating devices (SGDs) are integral components of communication systems. Reliability of SGDs is critical for effective use in everyday life. This study examined the reliability of new SGDs and found that mean time to first failure was 42.7 (SD = 41.2) weeks and at least 40% required repairs within the first year of use. The components that most frequently broke down were touch screens, wiring, main boards, batteries, memory cards, and AC adaptors. The costs of repairing SGDs were analyzed. The clinical implications of device breakdown are identified for key stakeholders, including clients, families, service providers, funding agencies, and manufacturers.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07434610902996104 | DOI Listing |
Vestn Otorinolaringol
December 2024
St. Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, St. Petersburg, Russia.
The observed increase in cases of earwax plugs in patients, as well as the variety of methods of their removal using agents with different cerumenolysis activity, emphasize the need to search for the most modern and multifunctional otolaryngological preparations with proven efficacy. Based on the results of the analysis and generalization of literature sources on the treatment and prevention of ear sulfur plugs, presented in specialized publications in the Russian scientific eLibrary and scientific databases MedLine, Web of Science, Scopus, the need to optimize treatment methods and preventive measures has been identified. In this regard, it is recommended to widely use the preparation A-Cerumen Plus as one of the most progressive means.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Pers Med
December 2024
Department of Medical Education, Catolica Medical School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Oeiras, Portugal.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) is a non-operative technique that allows for magnetic cortical stimulation (TMS) and analysis of the electrical currents generated in the brain (EEG). Despite the regular utilization of both techniques independently, little is known about the potential impact of their combination in neurosurgical practice. This scoping review, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, focused on TMS-EEG in epilepsy, neuro-oncology, and general neurosurgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAudiol Res
December 2024
Audiology, Primary Care Department, AUSL of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy.
: Hearing loss is a highly prevalent condition in the world population that determines emotional, social, and economic costs. In recent years, it has been definitely recognized that the lack of physiological binaural hearing causes alterations in the localization of sounds and reduced speech recognition in noise and reverberation. This study aims to explore the psycho-social profile of adult workers affected by single-sided deafness (SSD), without other major medical conditions and otological symptoms, through comparison to subjects with normal hearing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAudiol Res
December 2024
Doctoral School, Grigore T Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Background/objectives: Understanding speech in background noise is a challenging task for listeners with normal hearing and even more so for individuals with hearing impairments. The primary objective of this study was to develop Romanian speech material in noise to assess speech perception in diverse auditory populations, including individuals with normal hearing and those with various types of hearing loss. The goal was to create a versatile tool that can be used in different configurations and expanded for future studies examining auditory performance across various populations and rehabilitation methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInterspeech
September 2024
Pattern Recognition Lab. Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows analyzing speech production by capturing high-resolution images of the dynamic processes in the vocal tract. In clinical applications, combining MRI with synchronized speech recordings leads to improved patient outcomes, especially if a phonological-based approach is used for assessment. However, when audio signals are unavailable, the recognition accuracy of sounds is decreased when using only MRI data.
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