Exploring the 'EarSwitch' concept: a novel ear based control method for assistive technology.

Autor: Hoyle AC; Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, UK.; Bath Institute for the Augmented Human (IAH), University of Bath, Bath, UK., Stevenson R; Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK., Leonhardt M; Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, UK., Gillett T; School of Engineering and Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK., Martinez-Hernandez U; Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, UK.; Bath Institute for the Augmented Human (IAH), University of Bath, Bath, UK., Gompertz N; EarSwitch Ltd., Manchester, UK., Clarke C; Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Bath, UK.; Centre for Analysis of Motion and Entertainment Research and Application (CAMERA), University of Bath, Bath, UK.; Bath Institute for the Augmented Human (IAH), University of Bath, Bath, UK., Cazzola D; Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.; Centre for Analysis of Motion and Entertainment Research and Application (CAMERA), University of Bath, Bath, UK.; Bath Institute for the Augmented Human (IAH), University of Bath, Bath, UK., Metcalfe BW; Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, UK. b.w.metcalfe@bath.ac.uk.; Bath Institute for the Augmented Human (IAH), University of Bath, Bath, UK. b.w.metcalfe@bath.ac.uk.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation [J Neuroeng Rehabil] 2024 Dec 02; Vol. 21 (1), pp. 210. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Dec 02.
DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01500-z
Abstrakt: Background: Loss of communication with loved ones and carers is one of the most isolating and debilitating effects of many neurological disorders. Assistive technology (AT) supports individuals with communication, but the acceptability of AT solutions is highly variable. In this paper a novel ear based control method of AT, the concept of 'EarSwitch', is presented. This new approach is based on detecting ear rumbling, which is the voluntary contraction of the tensor tympani muscle (TTM), resulting in observable movement of the eardrum and a dull rumbling sound. 'EarSwitch' has the potential to be a discreet method that can complement existing AT control methods. However, only a subset of the population can ear rumble and little is known about the ability of rumbling in populations with neurological disorders.
Methods: To explore the viability of the 'EarSwitch' concept as an AT control method we conducted in-depth online surveys with (N=1853) respondents from the general population and (N=170) respondents with self-declared neurological disorders including Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).This is the largest ever study to explore ear rumbling and the first to explore whether rumbling is preserved among individuals with neurological disorders. In addition, we validated rumbling, and investigated usability of the 'EarSwitch' concept as a control input, using in-person otoscopic examination with a subset of participants.
Results: A significant proportion of the population with neurological disorders could benefit from 'EarSwitch' controllable AT. The upper bound prevalence of the ability to rumble without accompanying movements was 55% in the general population, 38% in the neurological population, and 20% of participants with MND (N=95) reported this ability. During the validation procedure, participants achieved high accuracy in self-reporting the ability to rumble (80%) and proved concept of using the 'EarSwitch' method to control a basic interface.
Discussion: 'EarSwitch' is a potential new AT control method control, either by itself or as a supplement to other existing methods. Results demonstrate self-reported ear rumbling is present among patients with different neurological disorders, including MND. Further research should explore how well the ability to rumble is preserved in different types and stages of neurological disorders.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study has been approved by the University of Bath’s Health Department Research Ethics Committee (EP 19/20 077). Participants in both surveys and in the validation gave their written consent to participate. Consent for publication: Consent was obtained from the participants for publication of the results, without any identifying information being disclosed. Competing interests: EarSwitch Ltd is a company that patented (UK granted patent number: GB2570013, International patent application number: PCT/GB2019/051357) the concept of using the voluntary control of the Tensor Tympani Muscle to control assistive technology (EarSwitch ™) and jointly applied for funding for this study and for developing an assistive device based on the method.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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