This episode is about communication via your voice. Are you being heard? Speech issues is one of those symptoms People with Parkinson’s most likely will need to address as part of the journey with this disease. Does Siri or Alexa understand you? Is it frustrating to use these smart voice assistants? Well, my guests are working to change all of that.
This episode is about how technology may be able to help us with communicating when our speech isn’t as understandable as it once was. A very smart team at the University of Illinois Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is working to collect voice recordings that are being used to train AI technology how to recognize speech patterns from people who are having speech issues due to their disease progression including Parkinson’s, ALS, and stroke. They are partnered with all the big names in the tech world with the goal of improving the tech in order to improve our quality of life.
Let’s find out about this important effort and how all of us can get involved.
https://speechaccessibilityproject.beckman.illinois.edu/
https://www.dbsandme.com/en.html
Thank you to my sponsor, Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about Parkinson’s treatment options, please visit DBSandMe.com.
Thank you for this information.
I found this to be a very interesting podcast because it suggested something that I could do immediately to further the study of PD. As a person who is affected with a speech issue caused by PD, I am very interested in being a participant in this study. I would also be interested in being apprised of the results.
Not only do Siri and Alexa have a problem understanding me, but I have difficulty on the phone and when speaking in large groups. I am a well-educated person (I have a Ph.D,) I find it disheartening wihen my ideas are dismissed because I am not understood or not heard.
Hi Dr. Scheer,
I really appreciate your perspective, and I am sorry to read that your thoughts aren’t being valued. I do hope that you sign up to participate in the project! Sheryl was such a marvelous and fun host. To sign up, here is our website: https://speechaccessibilityproject.beckman.illinois.edu/
Look forward to having you join us!