Week 7 Flashcards
what are assistive devices?
Devices that help individuals with hearing, voice, speech or language disorders to communicate.
what are the main types of assistive devices?
- Augmentative and alternative communicate (AAC)
- Assistive listening devices (ALDs)
- Alerting devices
what is Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) :
Is to help people with communication disorders to express themselves. These devices can range from a simple picture board to a computer program that synthesizes speech from text
what is Assistive listening devices (ALDs
To amplify the sounds you want to hear, especially where there’s a lot of background noise. ALDs can be used with a hearing aid.
Alerting devices
connect to a doorbell, telephone, or alarm that emits a loud sound or blinking light to let someone with hearing loss know that an event is taking place
what is a hearing loop system?
A system that uses electromagnetic energy to improve sound clarity for with hearing aids.
What are the four main components of a hearing loop system?
- sound source( tv, microphone)
- Amplifier
- wire loop ( placed around a room or under carpet)
- receiver( hearing aid with telecoil)
what is the main benefit of hearing loop
They eliminate background nose, making speech clearer.
where are assistive listening devices uses?
In large spaces and personal settings (one on one conversations)
what are examples of assistive listening devices for large spaces?
Hearing loop systems.
FM systems (radio signals).
infrared systems (light waves).
What are some personal ALDs?
- Pocket Talker – A portable amplifier for one-on-one conversations.
- Personal amplifiers – Reduce background noise and boost speech.
What are common types of alerting devices?
- Wake up alarms
- visual alert ( flash/vibrate for doorbells, phones)
- baby monitors
what do speech-generating devices do?
Convert text or pictures into speech
What are the two types of speech output?
- Digitized speech – Uses pre-recorded human voices but has limited vocabulary.
- Synthesized speech – Uses computer-generated voices and allows custom text
What devices help with phone and internet communication?
TTY/TDD machines
Message Relay Service (711)
video Relay Service (VRS) Captioned telephones
What are switches used for in AAC?
They allow users with limited movement to control communication devices.
how can switches be activated?
By : hand, foot, cheek, eyeblink, eyebrow and head head movement or even breath.
What technologies help users operate switches?
- Headmouse systems – A sensor tracks head movements.
- Eye-gaze tracking – Detects where a person is looking to select options on a screen.
What factors should be considered when selecting a switch?
- Reliable and consistent movement.
- Minimal energy required.
- Comfortable body positioning.
- Secure mounting to prevent movement.
What are the types of switches?
- push or touch switches : activated by pressing.
- Lever switches: can work in multiple directions example joysticks.
- Motoric-Specific Movements : activated by gripping, pinching or pulling.
- Sensitivity Switches: React to minimal motion (muscle flexing).
- other input: Activated by breath, eye movement, or voice.
What are the two types of electronic communication devices?
- Dedicated devices – Strictly for communication, no extra functions.
- Undedicated devices – Work as both a communicator and a regular computer
What are the two types of voice output?
- Digitized voice – Pre-recorded, natural-sounding, but limited vocabulary.
- Synthesized voice – Allows unlimited speech generation.
How can you effectively interact with an AAC user?
Initiate conversations with meaningful messages, such as: Greeting family, staff, or visitors.
