title: Augmentative communication based on realtime vocal cord vibration detection.
abstract: A binary switch based on the detection of periodic vocal cord vibrations is proposed for individuals with multiple and severe disabilities. The system offers three major advantages over existing speech-based access technologies, namely, insensitivity to environment noise, increased robustness against user-generated artifacts such as coughs, and reduced exertion during prolonged usage periods. The proposed system makes use of a dual-axis accelerometer placed noninvasively in proximity of the vocal cords by means of a neckband. Periodic vocal cord vibrations are detected using the normalized cross-correlation function computed from anterior-posterior and superior-inferior accelerometry signals. Experiments with a participant with hypotonic cerebral palsy show the proposed system outperforming a popular commercial sound-based system in terms of sensitivity, task time, and user-perceived exertion.
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute/Bloorview Kids Rehab, Toronto, ON, Canada. tiago.falk@ieee.org
authors.forename: Tiago H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duez
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teachman
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003199:Computer Systems; D003662:Decision Theory; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D009333:Neck / Q000502:physiology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014732:Vibration; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology*