Preliminary Evaluation of a Silent Speech Interface based on Intra-Oral Magnetic Sensing

2016 
This paper addresses the hardware challenges faced in developing a practical silent speech interface (SSI) for post-laryngectomy speech rehabilitation. Although a number of SSIs have been developed, many are still deemed as impractical due to a high degree of intrusiveness and discomfort, hence limiting their transition to outside of the laboratory environment. The aim of this paper is to build upon our previous work, in developing a user-centric prototype and enhancing its desirable features. A new Permanent Magnet Articulography (PMA) system is presented which fits within the palatal cavity of the user’s mouth, giving unobtrusive appearance and high portability. The prototype is comprised of a miniaturised circuit constructed using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and is implemented in the form of a dental retainer, which is mounted under roof of the user’s mouth and firmly clasps onto the upper teeth. Preliminary evaluation via speech recognition experiments demonstrates that the intraoral prototype achieves word recognition accuracy of 75.7%, slightly lower than its predecessor. Nonetheless, the intraoral design is expected to improve the stability and robustness of the PMA system with a much improved appearance since it can be completely hidden inside the user’s mouth.
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