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Yu-Ching Chiu

Integrated Industrial Design MSc

I am a product designer with three years of experience, specializing in product and packaging design, particularly in the children's toy industry. I've worked full-time in this field and co-founded Designer Toys, a brand that supports toy artists.

Brief

To explore a method to help laryngectomy patients learn esophageal speech more efficiently so that they no longer feel lonely and can better integrate into society.


Compared three methods: tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, electrolaryngeal speech, and esophageal speech. Despite each having its merits, there is a gap – no current device effectively aids in learning esophageal speech, which led to the development of my prototype.

To ensure that the product is centered on customer needs’ and to provide a factual basis for justifying its specifications, it is essential for this project to determine user requirements. Given the time constraints, this stage involves conducting a comprehensive literature review and interviewing experts to identify both the most important and latent needs.
This rapid processing capability is crucial for esophageal speech learners, who need to understand the nuanced muscle movements and vibrations involved in producing speech. By providing real-time visual feedback on muscle activity and vibrations, individuals can more easily identify and correct their technique, facilitating more effective learning and adjustment.
The kit’s design follows a minimalist approach, characterized by smooth surfaces and clean lines, which reduce visual complexity and aid ease of cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the colour scheme employs a neutral palette, primarily using whites and light greys, which are commonly associated with cleanliness and sterility in medical environments.
The product iteration focused on enhancing the design to make it more closely resemble a professional medical device. This transition involved refining the overall shape and structure, making the product more ergonomic and aligned with medical aesthetics. The design changes included a smoother, more streamlined form, which contributes to both the functionality and the appearance of the device.
The EMG-Assisted Essophageal Speech Learning Kit is an innovative tool designed to aid individuals in mastering esophageal speech, a technique often necessary for those who have undergone laryngectomy. The kit includes an EMG sensor device that captures muscle activity in the throat and tongue regions during speech production. This data is visualized in real-time via LED lights and an app; providing users with immediate feedback on their muscle movements and the exercise video. By translating complex muscle activity into clear, actionable insights, the kit empowers users to refine their speech techniques more effectively.
Prototype
To ensure that users clearly understand how the LEDs and muscle activity interact, verification is essential. Given the project’s short development timeline, it was not feasible to create original exercise content. Instead, Memoji and character videos were used for user testing. During these tests, several areas for improvement were identified, such as the need for clearer explanations of the LED functions and more detailed product descriptions.
Product Validation
Participants first performed esophageal speech exercises without the prototype to establish a baseline; capturing both qualitative and quantitative data. After a brief tutorial on the prototype, which included LED feedback and guided instructions, they repeated the exercises with the device. Performance improvements were then measured by comparing the results to the baseline. Participants also completed a questionnaire assessing the prototype’s ease of use, comfort, clarity of feedback, and perceived benefits. This approach aimed to evaluate the prototype’s effectiveness in enhancing esophageal speech learning and identify any areas for improvement in its design and functionality.
Based on the findings, the bio-mask has significantly improved the sensor placement process for users. The bio-mask’s design, which ensures that sensors are pre-positioned and aligned with the appropriate muscle groups, has removed the guesswork and stress associated with manual sensor placement. Users reported a higher level of confidence and accuracy in performing their exercises, as the bio-mask guarantees correct sensor alignment each time it is worn. The improved fit and comfort of the bio-mask also contributed to a more positive user experience, allowing users to focus on their exercises without the distraction of adjusting sensors. Overall, the bio-mask has streamlined the setup process, reduced errors in sensor placement, and enhanced the effectiveness of the esophageal speech learning kit.
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