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Communication Devices and Mounts
Part of Guide to ALS
Open source (opens in a new tab)Link checked August 2026
About this source
Guide to ALS’s practical guide.
Where this source is used
Used in 17 places across 1 domain.
Questions
Communication
Voice Banking
- What is the difference between voice banking, message banking, and voice cloning?
Supports this
“AI voice cloning can usually build a voice from much less recorded material than older voice banking methods need.”
Draws the same contrast from the point of view of someone who could not finish the older style of recording, describing the AI versions as avoiding the large volume of recording.
There are now AI (artificial intelligence) versions of voice banking that give more realistic speech without having to record a huge number of words and sentences.
Voice Banking
Eye-Tracking Devices
- What affects how well eye-tracking works for someone?
Used across the whole answer
- What affects how well eye-tracking works for someone?
Adds context
“Bright light and sunlight can stop an eye-gaze device tracking reliably, and changing the lighting is part of getting it working.”
One caregiver's account of eye-gaze at home lists light conditions, naming ambient light, sunlight, glare, and light that is too bright or too dark, among the things that confused the device. Personal experience rather than evidence for the general point.
- What is eye-gaze (eye-tracking) technology, and how does it work?
Used across the whole answer
- What should I ask about eye-tracking?
Used across the whole answer
- What is involved in getting and using an eye-gaze device?
Used across the whole answer
- What is involved in getting and using an eye-gaze device?
Adds context
“Positioning the camera, the screen and the person is a required step in setting an eye-gaze device up, not an optional refinement.”
One caregiver's account of what this looked like at home. He describes struggling to get the computer in the right place for the device to see his son's eyes, and lists a screen that is not facing the person directly, tipped forward or back, or too high, low, near or far as reasons it stopped working. Personal experience rather than evidence for the general point.
However, we kept having great difficulty positioning the computer just right so that the iris-detectors would see him.
Tobii Dynavox - Who might eye-tracking help, and when?
Used across the whole answer
Resources
Communication
- Alt Communication
Further reading
Explains communication aids and how to position them so you and the people around you can use them easily day to day.
- Eye-Tracking Devices
Further reading
Walks you through the different communication devices, including eye-gaze systems, and how they are mounted so they work for your body and setup.
- Speech Tech
Further reading
A practical look at the devices that can speak for you and the mounts that hold them in place for daily use.
- Voice Banking
Further reading
A walkthrough of the speech devices that can play back your banked voice, so you understand what a saved voice is eventually used with.
Eye-Tracking Devices
- What affects how well eye-tracking works for someone?
Further reading
Factors that affect eye-gaze success
- What is eye-gaze (eye-tracking) technology, and how does it work?
Further reading
Real-world discussion of eye-gaze devices and mounting
- What should I ask about eye-tracking?
Further reading
Background on eye-gaze to help frame your questions
- What is involved in getting and using an eye-gaze device?
Further reading
Practical detail on eye-gaze devices and mounting
- Who might eye-tracking help, and when?
Further reading
When eye-gaze becomes relevant in ALS/MND
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