I am a Speech Pathologist and am looking for some advice from "those who know". I have a patient who has been diagnosed with ALS. I am in the process of deciding which communication device to pursue for him. His funds are limited, even with the assistance of the MDA. I have contacted multiple sources and have several appointments set up with reps who will be demonstrating the equipment. The companies I have heard the most about are Dynavox (the V-Max and Eye-Max systems), ERICA, Gus Communicators Speech Pro software, Tobii P10. Has anyone had any experience with any of these? Any additional thoughts? I know that I should be an "expert" being an SLP. Although I have dealt with many ALS patients and with many stroke patients who need an alternative means of communication, I do not see enough on a regular basis to stay up on everything that is out there. I have researched different options and companies a lot over the past few days since my patient came in to see me. However, I really want to hear from those who have used some of the systems for a longer period of time.
Thanks so much for your help!! I truely believe I have been put in this persons life for a reason. I don't want to let him down and will do anything to help him.
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Speech Generating Devices
- By klpeterson1
- Posted October 3, 2008 at 8:49 pm · 11 replies
- In Children and families
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- By contkins
- Posted October 4, 2008 at 4:53 pm
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There was a program you could download on line called the Model Talker. I think it was through a university. It allowed you to record your own voice which was then prepared for use on your computer. I did not have enough speech left to do the required voice recordings, so while I downloaded the program, I did not use it. There was not any cost to use it.
- By contkins
- Posted October 4, 2008 at 5:03 pm
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I borrowed a Dynavox from our local ALS loan closet until my brother purchased a Gus communicator for me as a gift. The Dynavox was somewhat difficult to understand the speech. But the program itself was broad and functional. Gus is smaller and the voice is much more realistic. It is easy to program and can be carried in my purse. If funds are limited, checking with the ALS loan closets may be an alternative to buying a device.
- By CherylW
- Posted October 5, 2008 at 11:09 am
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My husband borrowed a dynavox from the ALS Loan Closet until we were able to purchase our own. He loves it and it fits all his needs (the most important controlling the TV). We have only one problem with the dynavox and part of it had to be returned to be fixed. The local rep loaned us one until ours came back and that was less than 2 weeks to be fixed. The reps have been very able and will stop by if we ask them too. We have had nothing but good luck with the dynavox. If our insurance hadn't paid for a new one, the ALS Loan Closet would have let us keep the one we had for as long as necessary. I would check with the ALS Loan Closet they may have a couple different devices that you could try.
Good luck.
- By klpeterson1
- Posted October 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm
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Thanks for the information! I have already checked with some of the area loan closets and none of them have any loaner systems right now. My patient is meeting with an MDA rep this week who may be able to help us in that area as well. The Dynavox rep will be coming in two weeks to do a demo. I think that system with the new Eye Max looks great but the problem is that it is expensive. We do have the possibility of ordering the V Max this year and the Eye Max after the first of the year. But, it just depends on how he is doing and when he needs the eye system. So many things to think about...... I saw that you can download the Speech Pro software for a free 30 day trial. I think I will do that also and see what I think.
Thanks for the comments! Good luck to you all!
- By alsgny
- Posted October 6, 2008 at 10:28 am
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Ou Assistive Technology specialist, Antoinette Verdone is great at answering these types of questions. You can find out more about her on our chapter website at http://als-ny.org/index.php?page=alsny_contactus
- By windclan
- Posted October 6, 2008 at 1:52 pm
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I just received a brand new Dynavox VMax. The machine is absolutely incredible as indicated above and is scaleable in the sense of controlling phones, appliances and eye movement software. I would recommend that over anything that I have seen thus far.
In terms of funding, your patient should check with his insurer to see if they have a separate area for life threatening illnesses. In my case, Blue Cross has a nurse assigned to me to answer questions, stay on top of medications, etc. Obviously their objective is to stay ahead of things on the prevention curve so that catrostrophic costs are limited and/or pushed out into the future. Nonetheless she has been very helpful. They also have an account manager within the clerical area assigned to me. Between the 2, they managed to pay for 100% of the Dynavox and did not wait on the MDA funding. If your patient has a large insurer, this is worthy of checking into as it may open up other opportunities.
Good luck.
- By klpeterson1
- Posted October 6, 2008 at 10:28 pm
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Thanks for the input! From what I have seen about the Dynavox V Max it looks wonderful. We will hopefully be meeting with the Dynavox rep the week after next. We are still checking into the situation with the insurance. Hopefully we will have some information soon. Thanks again!
- By DannyD
- Posted October 7, 2008 at 4:58 am
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In Texas they have a program called STAP. It stands for Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program. I checked for Illinois and you should try the link below. It could solve your funding problem. Danny http://www.tedpa.org/interiorPage.php?pageID=56&displayID=59
- By sampson
- Posted March 13, 2009 at 6:40 pm
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I have had experience with various AAC devices/ software (Gus, dynavox, speaking dynamically, flite, and scaut.) All have thier pros/cons, however the one con that nearly all of them share is cost. The hardware is marked up 500%, largely because there is an assumption that the consumer will not be the one paying for most of the cost.
Having spent the past 7 years working with people who are nonverbal that would benifit from these alternative methods of communication in the non profit sector. I would say that the outrageous cost has more often than not made itself an insurmountable barrier.
Over the past year and change I have begun putting together software and hardware interfaces for a gentlemen that I support. As a result of this I have put together a number of text to speech, and PECS based speech programs to be run on a pc. I would be quite happy to provide a copy to anyone who is interested.
- By swhite-geo
- Posted March 18, 2009 at 8:55 am
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Have you checked out Etriloquist? It's free software, can be used on any pc. Comes with many "canned" phrases, fully customizable, and you can always purchase a newer digital voice software for more natural sounding speech. Good luck!
http://www.etriloquist.com/
- By alsgny
- Posted March 19, 2009 at 9:15 am
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We just addressed this issue on our blog. Our Assistive Technologist wrote an article about how to convert a netbook into a cheap and easy to use Speech Generating Device.
For those PALS who have good hand function, but just have trouble speaking, a Netbook may be the solution for you.
There is a new category of small computers called “Netbooks” that have been developed to be light and portable, suited for mainly surfing the net. For PALS who are Bulbar, meaning that only their speech and swallowing has been affected, a netbook can be used as an inexpensive communication device with LOTS of other benefits.
If a PALS wanted a commercially available communication device that had this capability, it can cost over $5000.
The Netbooks and recommended accessories cost approximately $400. With the addition of free software the Netbook turns into a communication device.
Read the rest here:
http://als-ny.blogspot.com/2009/03/netbooks-as-communcation-devices.html
Thanks.
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