Automatic feedback to promote safe walking and speech loudness control in persons with multiple disabilities: two single-case studies.

Objective: Assessing automatic feedback technologies to promote safe travel and speech loudness control in two men with multiple disabilities, respectively.

Method: The men were involved in two single-case studies. In Study I, the technology involved a microprocessor, two photocells, and a verbal feedback device. The man received verbal alerting/feedback when the photocells spotted an obstacle in front of him. In Study II, the technology involved a sound-detecting unit connected to a throat and an airborne microphone, and to a vibration device. Vibration occurred when the man's speech loudness exceeded a preset level.

Results: The man included in Study I succeeded in using the automatic feedback in substitution of caregivers' alerting/feedback for safe travel. The man of Study II used the automatic feedback to successfully reduce his speech loudness.

Conclusion: Automatic feedback can be highly effective in helping persons with multiple disabilities improve their travel and speech performance.