Graeme Clark Collection

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1992 - 1995 2
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Author: Blamey, Peter × Author: Cowan, Robert × Author: Galvin, Karyn × Subject: Tickle Talker × Subject: otology × Subject: speech perception ×

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    Improved electrotactile speech processor: Tickle Talker
    Cowan, R. S. C. ; Galvin, K. L. ; Sarant, J. Z. ; Millard, R. ; Blamey, P. J. ; Clark, Graeme M. ( 1995)
    The Tickle Talker, an eight-channel electrotactile speech processor, has been developed from continuing research at the University of Melbourne. 'The development of the device has focused on production of reliable speech-processing hardware, design of cosmetically and ergonometrically acceptable electrode transducers, implementation of acute and chronic biomedical studies demonstrating device safety, design and testing of alternative speech-encoding strategies to provide benefit to speech perception and production, and design and testing of appropriate training methods for optimizing benefits. The Tickle Talker has been shown to provide benefits in supplementing lipreading or aided residual hearing for hearing-impaired adults and children. Improvements in speech processing have resulted in an increase in benefits to speech perception, and open the way for more flexible approaches to encoding speech input. Continuing development of the electrode circuitry has now produced a device that is robust and has an extended battery life. Safety studies have clearly demonstrated that there are no long-term contraindications to device use. The results suggest that the device has a role to play in rehabilitation programs for severely and profoundly hearing-impaired adults and children.
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    Development of an advanced electrotactile speech processor [Abstract]
    Cowan, Robert S. C. ; Blamey, Peter J. ; Glavin, K. L. ; Sarant, J. Z. ; Millard, R. ; Clark, Graeme M. ( 1992)
    Initial studies with a multiple channel electrotactile speech processor ('Tickle Talker') showed that profoundly hearing-impaired adults and children could achieve significant improvements on speech perception tests through use of tactual-encoded estimates of fundamental frequency, second formant frequency and amplitude envelope. Results showed that the device provided tactual cues which could be used to discriminate speech features such as vowel length and place, and consonant manner and voicing. However, discrimination of initial consonant voicing was not as consistent as for other features. Accurate discrimination of consonant voicing and manner (particularly high frequency information) is critical, since this Information is generally inaudible through hearing aids, and difficult to lipread.