Graeme Clark Collection
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ItemA training program for use with multichannel speech perception/production tactile devices [Abstract]( 1996)Over the past ten years, there have been remarkable improvements in both conventional hearing aid technology and in the use of multichannel cochlear prostheses. These developments have resulted in improved speech perception for severely and profoundly hearing impaired adults and children. However, a small number of adults and children remain unable to benefit from either of these prosthetic approaches. This may occur as a result of medical/surgical issues, which render implantation unfeasible, or from a decision by the patient or parents that the device is inappropriate for the individual person. In these cases, use of a supplemental speech perception device employing the intact tactile modality has been advocated. A number of single and multichannel devices have been developed, both commercially and in the laboratory. One of these, the Tickle Talker, a multichannel electrotactile speech processor, has been developed and thoroughly evaluated with both adults and children at the University of Melbourne. Benefits to speech perception have been noted on both closed-set phonemic discrimination tests, and on open-set word and sentence scores, where the device was used to supplement lipreading and/or aided residual hearing. Benefits to articulation have also been noted. Recently, improved speech processing and the design of a new electrode handset have been implemented. While these factors are important to device acceptance, the critical factor in improving speech perception and production appears to be the training program which is employed with the device. The program must be based on the information available through the device, but organised to emphasize the integration of tactually-encoded speech information into open-set understanding of words and sentences if communication is to be improved. The important elements of the program will be discussed. At present, no tactile device is able to provide sufficient information for open-set speech understanding using only the tactile input. While this may be an ultimate goal, significant periods of training may be required to achieve this outcome.
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ItemIssues in long-term management of children with cochlear implants and tactile devices [Abstract]( 1994)For many children with severe and profound hearing losses, conventional hearing aids are unable to provide sufficient amplification to ensure good oral communication and/or in the case of very young children, development of speech and language. Traditionally a number of these children have opted for the use of sign language alone or in Total Communication approaches as a primary means of communication. The advent of multiple channel cochlear implants for children and the continuing development of multiple channel speech processing tactile devices provide auditory approaches to resolving communication difficulties for these children. The successful use of such devices depends on a number of factors including the information provided through the aid; the ease of use, convenience and reliability of the aid; the individual communication needs of the child; and the habilitation and management program used with the device. Long-term data has shown that children continue to show increased speech perception benefits from improvements in speech processing and from further experience with these devices. Habilitation and management programs must therefore be geared to meet the changing needs of children as they progress and of families as children mature and face new challenges. Habilitation must address specific individual needs in speech perception and in speech production. For very young children, benefits of improved speech perception should have an impact on the development of speech and language, and habilitation and management must emphasise the need for language growth.