Speech Therapy Device With Real-Time Volume Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for speech therapy are inefficient and ineffective, particularly for conditions like hypophonia, as they rely on infrequent face-to-face sessions and lack continuous feedback, leading to potential loss of progress.
Innovation Solution
A speech therapeutic device with audio input, signal processing, and stimulus circuitry that provides real-time feedback and alerts based on reconfigurable rules, allowing for continuous monitoring and adjustment of speech volume, utilizing a network for rule updates and storing records for further analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If face-to-face training sessions are used for speech therapy, then direct interaction and feedback are provided, but the therapy is inefficient and improvements are lost between infrequent sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors speech signals and provides real-time feedback to the user through alerts when speech volume falls below acceptable thresholds. This continuous feedback loop replaces the intermittent feedback from face-to-face sessions, maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while enabling independent practice between professional sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous speech monitoring and therapy between face-to-face sessions, eliminating the gaps in therapeutic action. The system operates continuously in the background, providing ongoing reinforcement of speech volume goals without requiring constant professional presence.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then real-time feedback is provided to maintain speech volume, but device complexity increases with multiple circuitries and network components
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing circuitry performs multiple functions: it monitors speech volume, compares against thresholds, generates alerts, and manages network communications. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional module rather than separate dedicated circuits, the system achieves continuous monitoring capability while controlling overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines audio input circuitry, signal processing circuitry, and stimulus circuitry into an integrated speech therapy device. The audio input and stimulus circuitries can be merged with standard smartphone components, reducing the need for separate dedicated hardware and simplifying the overall system structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are speech therapeutic devices and methods. In one aspect, the speech therapeutic device includes audio input circuitry, signal processing circuitry, and stimulus circuitry. In certain embodiments, the audio input circuitry is configured to provide an input signal that is indicative of speech provided by a user and the signal processing circuitry is configured to utilize a reconfigurable rule that includes a condition, receive the input signal, process the input signal using the reconfigurable rule, and provide an alert signal responsive to attainment of the condition. The stimulus circuitry is configured to receive the alert signal and provide a stimulus to the user. The signal processing circuitry is additionally configured to (i) receive the reconfigurable rule from a communication network, and/or (ii) generate a record indicative of the alert signal, store the record in a memory, and send the record to a communication network.