Wearable Vibrotactile Speech Aid for Enhanced Speech Perception

OVERVIEW

The wearable vibrotactile speech aid transforms auditory speech signals into haptic feedback, enabling users to perceive and learn speech through vibrations. This technology uses an array of vibrotactile transducers to generate distinct vibration patterns corresponding to spoken words. It can improve speech recognition in noisy environments or for hearing-impaired individuals. For instance, when a word is spoken, the device translates it into a specific vibration pattern on the user's body, aiding in speech perception and training.

BACKGROUND

Traditional speech recognition heavily relies on auditory processing, which poses challenges for individuals with hearing impairments. By converting speech into vibrotactile feedback, this invention provides an alternative means of speech perception. It addresses the limitations of current auditory aids, offering a supplementary or standalone solution for enhanced speech recognition and training.

Benefit

• Improved Accessibility: Provides a novel method for hearing-impaired individuals to perceive and learn speech.
• Enhanced Speech Recognition: Offers superior speech recognition in adverse listening conditions.
• Training Aid: Effective tool for speech training, enabling users to improve their speech perception skills.
• Non-Invasive: Wearable device that is easy to use and does not require surgical intervention.
• Versatile Application: Can be used as a supplementary aid with existing auditory devices or as a standalone speech perception tool.

Market Application

• Hearing Aids: Enhances the functionality of traditional hearing aids by providing vibrotactile feedback.
• Speech Therapy: Useful in speech therapy programs for individuals with hearing impairments.
• Education: Assists in teaching speech perception and production in special education settings.
• Assistive Technology: Integral part of assistive devices for the hearing-impaired community.
• Communication: Improves communication abilities for those in noisy environments or with profound hearing loss.

Publications

The US issued patent No. 11,688,386, describing the methods and systems for the wearable vibrotactile speech aid.