Lightweight, On-Body, Wireless System for Ambulatory Voice and Ambient Noise Monitoring

Abstract

In this paper, we present a lightweight, on-body, wireless system designed for monitoring real-world, ambulatory voice characteristics. The system has the potential to provide important assessments of voice and speech disorders and the impact of environmental sound levels as individuals go about their daily life. The system's transmitter is positioned on the neck and synchronously streams dual-channel sensor data from an on-board MEMS microphone and a high-bandwidth accelerometer, which acts as a noise-robust and confidential contact microphone. These data are recorded to a receiver that can store the data locally and stream a real-time feed to a computer. We also report on the design considerations of this novel system and discuss progress leading up to the latest iteration, especially of the transmitter components on a flexible circuit. Pilot data are shown from an in-field, ambulatory recording during an individual's daily activities that included settings in quiet and with naturalistic ambient noise.