Authors:
Lam A. Cheah
1
;
Jie Bai
1
;
Jose A. Gonzalez
2
;
James M. Gilbert
1
;
Stephen R. Ell
3
;
Phil D. Green
2
and
Roger K. Moore
2
Affiliations:
1
The University of Hull, United Kingdom
;
2
The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
;
3
Castle Hill Hospital, United Kingdom
Keyword(s):
Assistive Technology, Silent Speech Interface, Permanent Magnet Articulography, Intraoral Magnetic Sensing.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Biomedical Engineering
;
Biomedical Instruments and Devices
;
Emerging Technologies
;
Rehabilitation Technology
;
Telecommunications
;
Wireless and Mobile Technologies
;
Wireless Information Networks and Systems
Abstract:
This paper addresses the hardware challenges faced in developing a practical silent speech interface (SSI) for post-laryngectomy speech rehabilitation. Although a number of SSIs have been developed, many are still deemed as impractical due to a high degree of intrusiveness and discomfort, hence limiting their transition to outside of the laboratory environment. The aim of this paper is to build upon our previous work, in developing a user-centric prototype and enhancing its desirable features. A new Permanent Magnet Articulography (PMA) system is presented which fits within the palatal cavity of the user’s mouth, giving unobtrusive appearance and high portability. The prototype is comprised of a miniaturised circuit constructed using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and is implemented in the form of a dental retainer, which is mounted under roof of the user’s mouth and firmly clasps onto the upper teeth. Preliminary evaluation via speech recognition experiments demonstrates
that the intraoral prototype achieves word recognition accuracy of 75.7%, slightly lower than its predecessor. Nonetheless, the intraoral design is expected to improve the stability and robustness of the PMA system with a much improved appearance since it can be completely hidden inside the user’s mouth.
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