Audio-Visual Thumble (AVT): A low-vision rehabilitation device using multisensory feedbacks

• Published in: 2020 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) pp. 3913 - 3916
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Hafsah, Tonelli, Alessia, Crepaldi, Marco, Martolini, Chiara, Capris, Elisabetta, Gori, Monica
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.07.2020
• ISSN: 1558-4615
• DOI: 10.1109/EMBC44109.2020.9175475

Since the 70s sensory substitution devices have been used for blind individuals to compensate for the lack of vision and enable them to perceive environment through intact sensory modalities. In this study, we present a rehabilitation device called Audio Visual Thumble (AVT), which is a small ring-like device with LED and buzzer, that can be worn on pharynx. We focus on a unique group of low-vision individuals with a black spot or scotoma in their visual field due to a disease called Macular Degeneration. The visual localization abilities of these individuals are highly impaired due to developing scotoma. We recently showed that also their audio localization skills are impaired [9]. Rehabilitation techniques developed so far for Macular Degeneration focus on visual modality only. Since audition can also be used to improve their spatial skills, we developed the AVT device. It permits to associate the multisensory information (audio and visual feedbacks) coming from the device with the own movement (proprioceptive feedback). We propose that the AVT has the potential to help people with visual dysfunctions to improve in the identification of audio and visual targets outside or at the edge of the residual visual field. AVT could be used for a wide range of applications combined with classical rehabilitation techniques in Macular Degeneration patients.Clinical relevance- This device can be an effective addition for low-vision rehabilitation experts and can be used combined with classical rehabilitation methods.