At Control Bionics, we talk a lot about the power of 3, giving users more speed and less fatigue while using their speech generating device. But what exactly are those access methods and how do they work? This blog will walk through the different methods we offer with our devices and when to use them.
How it Works
A helpful way to think of these devices is to think about how you use a mouse to interact with your computer – you move the cursor around the screen with the mouse and then click on the item you want to select. Instead of using a traditional mouse, users access the computer with a combination of an eye gaze camera and a NeuroNode sensor.
NeuroNode and Eye Gaze – The NeuroNode Trilogy
This method uses an eye gaze camera and a NeuroNode sensor to operate the speech generating device. The eye gaze camera lets your eyes act as the movement of the mouse, highlighting items on the screen. Then the NeuroNode sensor activates as the click, making the selection.
This method is preferred, as it’s proven to reduce fatigue and increase speed. Users who are able to use eye gaze effectively can add the NeuroNode sensor to increase their communication abilities.
NeuroNode and Scanning – The NeuroNode Duo
This method uses a NeuroNode sensor and communication software to operate the speech generating device. In our computer example, think of the software as the cursor; the software highlights different sections of the screen one by one, until the user activates the NeuroNode sensor as a click to select that section.
This method is useful for when eye conditions or positioning needs prevent the use of an eye gaze camera.
Eye Gaze and Dwell/Blink – The EyeGaze Duo
This method uses just an eye gaze camera to operate the speech generating device. The eye gaze camera functions as the cursor, moving around the screen with the user’s eyes. Then to select, the user will stare, or dwell, on the point for a certain amount of time to make the selection.
Eye gaze with dwell is the standard way of operating a speech generating device when the user has complex physical needs.
Having all of these access methods available on one device gives our clients the flexibility to meet their access needs even if they change over time – whether that’s as simple as positioning changes throughout the day or as complex as a body that is changing due to a progressive disorder. If you have any questions, contact us! We’d love to answer any questions about access methods or our devices.
