NovitaTech - Regency Park

NovitaTech Talk - Choosing a portable speech generating device

12 January 2010 - Novita

Are you looking for a device for someone who has difficulty speaking but doesn’t have a physical disability? They may be best suited to a portable speech generating device that looks discreet but still gives them to access to a large amount of vocabulary. Here are some things to consider when choosing a portable speech generating device.

How do you generate messages on the device?

Some devices allow you to choose from a range of picture symbols by pressing the touchscreen and navigating from page to page. Other devices also give you the option of spelling or selecting from written words.

Does the device come with sets of pre-programmed pages?

Creating communication pages is a time-consuming process and pre-stored pages can save you having to create everything from scratch. You can add your own customized vocabulary as well as making the most of pre-stored vocabulary.

 Does the device have features to speed up communication?

Some devices have features such as word prediction (so the user doesn’t always have to spell out a whole word) and features that make it easy to use different grammatical forms.

How loud is the volume?

Will the user be able to make themselves heard in a noisy classroom or at a shopping centre? The quality of speakers varies from one device to another.

What kind of voice does the person want?

Will they be happy with an American or British accent or is it really important for them to have an Aussie accent? Different devices come with different voices.

How easy is it to see the device’s screen?

Is it easy to see when outside or when looking at the device from different angles?Screens differ from one device to another.

How long does the battery last?

Is the device likely to go flat at a crucial moment? Some devices last longer than others before they need to be recharged. Battery life will vary depending on how much the device is used.

How durable is the device?

In the real world devices are likely to need to cope with the odd bump. Some devices are more durable than others.

How important is it for the device to look good?

Some devices come in only one or two colours and others are available in a wide range of colours.

What sort of accessories are available?

You can use different types of carry cases and other accessories with different devices.

Is a ‘dedicated’ model available?

In some cases a model that locks out computer applications is needed to meet funding guidelines.

If you are looking for a portable speech generating device you might like to consider the Tellus Smart 2 or the Say-It! SAM. You can find information about these devices in our online catalogue.