# The evolution of speech communication devices for anarthria: a review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the development of speech communication devices for people who cannot speak due to conditions like ALS or stroke.

## Contribution

The paper provides a structured historical and future analysis of communication technologies for anarthria.

## Key findings

- Early devices used blinks, head movements, and non-invasive brain signals for communication.
- Implanted cortical neuroprosthetics improved communication speed and accuracy.
- Future devices aim to enhance accessibility and comfort for more natural communication.

## Abstract

Anarthria is a lack of verbal communication caused by physiological disturbances in the motor pathway. While affected individuals retain the ability to comprehend and produce speech, orofacial paralysis renders them unable to execute speech. Anarthria can be caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other etiologies that affect the descending motor pathway. A wide range of technologies has been developed and tested to improve communication efficiency for patients with anarthria and accompanying paralysis. This review evaluates three key eras of communication device development. First, before implantation devices gained traction, many communication devices revolved around blinks, head and eye tracking, and non-invasive brain recording. Second, implanted cortical neuroprosthetics were designed to improve accuracy and speed of communication. Finally, the review analyzes the future era, where accessibility, patient comfort, and broader applications of neural analysis elevate communication for patients with anarthria to match fluid communication. Restoring speech communication in patients with anarthria is vital to improve their quality of life. Therefore, understanding communication device efficiency and its future trajectory is of utmost clinical importance.