ICU Communication App vs TexCom Text Communicator

This app is designed for patients who are intubated (have a breathing tube in their throat) - leaving them fully aware but temporarily unable to speak. These patients will be in hospital and in Intensive Care (ICU), High Dependency Units (HDU) and other wards. This simple communication app was designed with individuals who have lived through this experience on ICU. - The app is designed around a number of core principles that support a patient, who will potentially be distressed and possibly confused, in communicating: - The main app screen provides reassurance: patients described waking up in a state of confusion not knowing where they were and what would happen to them. - Communication can build from single words: past patients and their relatives described the person who can talk doing the majority of the work when communicating. - The app comes with some pre-defined words: these are based on the topics that patients and relatives of those who had been on ICU said were important - The words in the app can be personalised: relatives can add words specific to the individual to allow simple and quick communication of topics important to the patient. - Communication can happen over a long time: As well as communicating in the moment the app can be left with the patient and they can construct a message over a long period of time. Patients described having moments of lucidity and moments of hallucination, fatigue and confusion. - The app has multiple way of supporting novel communication: a simple keyboard allows the patient to type a message, and the app also includes 2 tools to allow hospital staff or relatives to support the patient in communicating. This app is designed to be part of a tool kit which includes staff training in partner based communication techniques as well as paper based Augmentative Communication (AAC) resources. This app was designed during research by Barnsley Hospital's Assistive Technology Team and Imperial College's Helix Centre. The app has now been released for free in order to support the response to Covid 19 and the increased incidence of patients who are being ventilated. This app is designed specifically for use in hospital environments. For those with longer term communication needs there are a range of other Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) strategies, software and apps that may be able to support.

TexCom is an app designed to assist individuals who are literate but have difficulty communicating verbally. The app comes with a set of preloaded phrases, but users can easily add their own phrases, and even import and export word and phrase lists. TexCom employs a rapid search and retrieval method to display phrases containing the characters entered in the text/search box. Additionally, the app can speak text inputted by the user using the chosen device text to speech voice. To communicate privately, iPad users can flip their device over, and the display will expand for the viewer, or they can simply share their message. Users can also customize their phrases by adding abbreviations or emojis for quick identification. TexCom includes a set of easy communicate buttons, including a bell sound, SOS sound, Yes/No and Add Phrase to your phrase list. Changing the iOS system voice is easy; navigate to Settings, then Accessibility, and finally, Spoken Text and Voices. AAC communicator apps like TexCom are especially useful for individuals with speech impairments, language disorders, or cognitive disabilities, as they allow them to express themselves and participate in social interactions more fully. TexCom now supports the new Apple Personal Voice feature. Any personal voices created, will show within all other voices available on the device. Please note Personal Voice is only available on certain Apple devices at iOS17. TexCom does not require the creation of an app account, internet access, or include advertisements.