Evaluating the technical ability and usability of a Novel Ear-worn Assistive Device
The EarSwitch is an ear-based assistive communication device. It uses an in-ear camera to detect when a muscle in the ear, called the tensor tympani (TT), is contracted or tightened. When the tensor tympani muscle contracts, people may hear a dull rumbling sound, this is known as “ear rumbling”. Some people can voluntarily ear rumble by purposefully contracting their tensor tympani on-demand.
The EarSwitch senses people’s ability to ear rumble so that it can potentially be used for communication. For some individuals, the EarSwitch has the potential to be a communication device when other communication technologies do not work. In addition, there is the possibility that the ability to ear rumble may be preserved until later stages of degenerative diseases (e.g., motor neurone disease), allowing people to communicate for longer.
This project is looking at how the researchers can develop the EarSwitch into a useful device for those who need it. To do this, they want to understand how well different people can ear rumble and how well the EarSwitch fits with other assistive technology, as well as how easy the EarSwitch is to use at home over prolonged periods.
Taking Part
What does taking part involve?
The study will last 4 weeks where you will be sent an EarSwitch device by post. The study will not require any in-person visits.
You will be asked to complete an online demographic and pre-study questionnaire about yourself and an online questionnaire to understand what assistive technology you currently use to better understand what types of devices the EarSwitch may be used alongside. You may complete the study on an electronic device such as a tablet or computer available in your home. During the study you will be asked to wear the EarSwitch, however, you will not be asked to remove any assistive communication devices you currently use. The EarSwitch device and instructions will be sent to your home address via post and will lead you through the set up of the device with your personal device. Wearing the EarSwitch device should feel like putting a regular earbud into your ear.
After setting up the device, you will be asked to login to an EarSwitch web browser to complete a weekly task using the EarSwitch device. This will require you to perform a series of ear rumbles based on several different stimuli presented to you on screen. The purpose of this is to see how well you can ear rumble and to provide data for improving the accuracy of the EarSwitch. There are four tasks you will be asked to do: 1) Ear rumbling when a target randomly appears. 2) Ear rumbling at the end of a three-second countdown. 3) Ear rumbling twice in quick succession (like a double click on a mouse). 4) Ear rumbling multiple times in a row in a short period of time (for example, 3 seconds). 5) Type a message using an on-screen (switch scanning) keyboard. 6) Play Dino Run game. You will then be asked to complete an online questionnaire about your overall opinion on the usability and comfort of the EarSwitch device.
Following the weekly task, you will be asked to log back onto the EarSwitch website on four separate days throughout the week to complete a daily task using the EarSwitch device. The purpose of these applications is to gather feedback about using the device for interaction. The daily task will involve: 1) Performing ONE of the ear rumbling tasks (as described above). 2) Type a message using an on-screen (switch scanning) keyboard. 3) Play Dino Run game (OPTIONAL). The weekly Ear Rumbling Task and Daily Tasks will be repeated every week over the 4-week testing period. You will have the option to get push notifications as reminders to complete tasks and use the EarSwitch. The research team will be able to view your engagement with the tasks during the study.
At the end of the 4 weeks, you will be asked to perform a final run through of the weekly Ear rumbling Task using the EarSwitch device. You will then be asked to complete an online exit questionnaire regarding your overall experience with the EarSwitch. You will be invited to an interview (via telephone or video call) with a member of the research team to discuss your experience with the EarSwitch device to give detailed feedback and discuss any comments you may have which have not previously been addressed in the online questionnaires. Lastly, the researcher will arrange with you the return of the EarSwitch device back to the University of Bath.
Who can take part?
- People with MND who who have assistive technology needs
- Can voluntarily contract the tensor tympani muscle in their ear (i.e., they can “ear rumble”)
- Have access to an electronic device (laptop or desktop with windows 10 or newer) and internet access to connect to EarSwitch device.
- All participants must be over 18 years old and able to consent to taking part.
How can I take part?
Participants can take part by contacting any of the following contacts below:
Karl Morgan at [email protected]
Dr. Christopher Clarke at [email protected]
Dr. Dario Cazzola at [email protected]
Dr. Nick Gompertz, EarSwitch Ltd. at [email protected]
Study location
Remote, UK-wide
Funding
This study is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research.