Hi Margaret,

 

Have you tried keyboard and/or phrase pages with fewer targets to facilitate accuracy? 

 

Lifemate 2 (on ERICA systems) offers “Split” typing layouts as well as a few with only 4 buttons each designed specifically for eye problems.   VS Communicator (on Tobii or Quick Glance) also has simple phrase boards. 

 

If that doesn’t help, you might look at advanced/system settings to see if changing calibration or input options makes a difference. 

 

 

Margaret,

 

Wearing a full face mask while using a bi-level device can pose obstacles while trying to communicate with an "eye-gaze" system.. Several mask mfg.'d provide masks that are designed to provide an oral and nasal seal WITHOUT covering the bridge of the nose. Typically it is accomplished with a mask that covers the mouth, that also has a set of nasal "pillows" sitting on top of the mouth mask,that fit into the base of the nostrils.  I believe ResMed provides a mask of this type.  I am including a link to the Teleflex Medical-Hudson rci company's "Hybrid" mask that has been used successfully by many patients with ALS.  Some patients chose to use their 'usual' full face mask during sleep and the Hybrid mask during waking hours. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if I can be of additional information.

 

http://www.hudsonrci.com/Products/product_indiv.asp?Catalog=1&PageId=274&prod_cat=63&prod_subcat=185

 

Cynthia

Cynthia Knoche
Director, Chapter Patient Services
ALS Association-National Office
PH: (904) 504-6329  FX: (904) 567-5092
E mail: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Margaret Cotts
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 2:34 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Assistive Technology] 2 Questions re: eyegaze

Hi All-

 

I have 2 questions re: eyegaze-

 

1.       When  a person’s eyes have slowed down, and they are having difficulty hitting targets, what strategies have people found helpful to address  this?

2.       Full face bipap- Have you found a full face bipap getting in the way of eye gaze (ie covering up part of the person’s eye)

 

Thanks for your help with this- I appreciate it!

 

Margaret Cotts, MA, ATP

DynaVox Technologies